RESUMEN
Background: The osteocutaneous radial forearm (OCRF) flap is a variation of the traditional radial forearm flap with incorporation of an anterolateral segment of corticocancellous bone of the radius, periosteum, and overlying skin. The OCRF flap is indicated in traumatic injuries or extirpation defects with segmental bone loss and is well suited to foot and ankle reconstruction due to its thin pliable skin. Methods: In this single-center case series, a retrospective review was conducted to identify patients who underwent OCRF free flap for foot and ankle reconstruction that required harvest of more than 50% of the cross-sectional area of the radius with prophylactic volar locked plating of the donor site. Outcome measures included flap failure rates, postoperative fracture, thrombotic events, time to follow-up, and time to full weightbearing. Flap harvest technique is extensively discussed. Results: Six cases were included in this series. There were no flap failures or thrombotic events. Recipient site healing was confirmed in all patients, with partial distal skin paddle loss in one patient requiring operative debridement. No patients sustained donor site complications or functional impairment. Full lower extremity weightbearing was achieved at 12.4 ± 3.3 weeks after surgery. Conclusions: The OCRF free flap transfer provides a reliable means of obtaining thin, supple soft tissue coverage with a large, vascularized segment of bone for reconstruction in the foot and ankle. Here, we describe use of more than 50% of the cross-sectional area of the radius with volar locked prophylactic plating. These updates expand use of this reconstructive technique.
RESUMEN
Background: Radiocapitellar arthroplasty fills a treatment void for young patients who experience isolated capitellar fractures or radiocapitellar osteoarthritis who are not candidates for total elbow arthroplasty. The outcomes of this procedure are sparsely reported. We designed a meta-analysis to determine the utility of radiocapitellar arthroplasty with respect to functional and patient reported outcomes. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for relevant studies. Only studies published in English language that assessed patient reported outcomes following radiocapitellar arthroplasty were included in this study. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses for 2020. Results: The initial review yielded 562 studies that met the criteria. After excluding duplications and confounding factors, eight case series were identified for review. Of the eight studies, seven were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis for Mayo Elbow Performance Score, flexion-extension arc, and pronation-supination arc. The pooled standard mean difference was found to be statistically significant between pre-operative and post-operative outcomes for Mayo Elbow Performance Score (SMD = 3.04, 95% CI [2.40, 3.67]), flexion-extension arc (SMD = 1.28, 95% CI [0.73, 1.83]), and pronation-supination arc (SMD = 0.81, 95% CI [0.43, 1.18]). Cochran's Q-test and I2 statistics indicated statistically significant heterogeneity for Mayo Elbow Performance Score (p = .04, I2 = 54%) and flexion-extension arc (p < .01, I2 = 67%). Conclusions: Patients undergoing radiocapitellar arthroplasty showed statistically significant improvements in flexion-extension arc, pronation-supination arc, and Mayo Elbow Performance Scores compared to pre-operative measures.
RESUMEN
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is increasingly used for monitoring marine organisms; however, offshore sampling and time lag from sampling to results remain problematic. In order to overcome these challenges a robotic sampler, a 2nd generation Environmental Sample Processor (ESP), was tested for autonomous analysis of eDNA from four commercial fish species in a 4.5 million liter mesocosm. The ESP enabled in situ analysis, consisting of water collection, filtration, DNA extraction and qPCR analysis, which allowed for real-time remote reporting and archival sample collection, consisting of water collection, filtration and chemical preservation followed by post-deployment laboratory analysis. The results demonstrate that the 2G ESP was able to consistently detect and quantify target molecules from the most abundant species (Atlantic mackerel) both in real-time and from the archived samples. In contrast, detection of low abundant species was challenged by both biological and technical aspects coupled to the ecology of eDNA and the 2G ESP instrumentation. Comparison of the in situ analysis and archival samples demonstrated variance, which potentially was linked to diel migration patterns of the Atlantic mackerel. The study demonstrates strong potential for remote autonomous in situ monitoring which open new possibilities for the field of eDNA and marine monitoring.