High Above Knee Amputations for Femoral Osteosarcomas Treated with Free Microsurgical Tibial Reconstruction in the Pediatric Population.

SUMMARY: Improvements in the management of pediatric sarcoma including imaging, neo- and adjuvant therapy, and surgical technique has enhanced long-term survival of patients. Pediatric patients diagnosed with a femoral osteosarcoma undergoing oncologic resection who are ineligible for limb preservation reconstruction or rotationplasty are offered an above knee amputation (AKA). Limb amputations in the skeletally immature patient poses particular problems specific to endosteal bone overgrowth and spiking. Approximately half of these patients undergo revision of their amputation site. Furthermore, a high AKA often requires a hip-based prosthesis, which can be uncomfortable leading to poorer outcomes and higher energy expenditures.We have completed four 'spare parts' microvascular free tibial transfers for pediatric patients diagnosed with femoral osteosarcoma who were treated with an AKA. Two of these patients are currently ambulatory with their prosthetic and have not required long-term revision of their amputation site. One patient demonstrated radiographic evidence of bony union four months post-operatively, but subsequently succumbed to chemotherapy-resistant metastases. The fourth patient is in the process of prosthetic fitting and rehabilitation.This is a novel technique and the first series describing both proximal and distal free microvascular tibial bone transfers as a reconstructive option for pediatric patients with femoral osteosarcomas. It is a reliable flap with possible variations in vascular anatomy. Furthermore, it offers multiple benefits including the prevention of bony spiking, AKA stump augmentation, and facilitation of appropriate prosthetic fitting improving functional outcomes and decreased energy expenditure. However, the soft tissue coverage must be well planned.

Distal Interphalangeal Joint Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review.

Background: Symptomatic distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint arthritis is frequently treated by arthrodesis, though DIP arthroplasty has been reported as a treatment option since 1977. This study reviews the current evidence on DIP joint arthroplasty for the treatment of arthritis refractory to non-operative management. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Results: The search yielded 55 records, of which six studies were included in the narrative review. All the included studies were of level IV evidence (case series or cohort studies). DIP arthroplasty was effective in relieving pain and reducing subsequent dysfunction. The average total arc of motion was 30°-40° but with an extension lag of 10°-15°. The overall complication rate was 15% with a re-operation rate of 8%. Joint instability (incidence of 2.5%) and infection (incidence of 2.1%) were the most common complications, while implant fracture was seen in 1% of cases. Joints that failed after DIP arthroplasty were salvaged by DIP arthrodesis. Conclusions: DIP arthroplasty is an effective treatment for painful arthritis but with a complication rate of 15%. Its main advantage over arthrodesis is the preservation of DIP motion. However, due to the limited high-quality evidence available, its use should be limited to circumstances where there is a desire or vocational need to maintain motion at the DIP joint. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic).

Trapeziometarpal joint arthritis in the young patient.

Initial management of symptomatic trapeziometacarpal joint arthritis is generally non-operative. Though the aetiology of trapeziometacarpal arthritis remains controversial, unrecognized joint incongruity in early-stage arthritis (Eaton stage 1 or 2) is likely to lead to progression of joint degeneration. In established arthritis, salvage procedures can successfully alleviate symptoms and return of function; however the long-term outcome of these procedures has not been determined, and this is of particular concern in the younger patient. Recognition of the joint incongruity in these patients with early-stage disease can lead to measures which may prevent or delay the progression of joint degeneration.Level of evidence: V.

Ulnar-sided wrist pain: a prospective analysis of diagnostic clinical tests.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the cause of pain on the ulnar side of the wrist can be challenging. The outcome and recovery following surgery can be unpredictable. The aim of this study was to document and analyse the clinical tests used to evaluate the cause of ulnar-sided wrist pain and determine their diagnostic relevance. METHODS: This is a prospective evaluation of 110 patients who presented with pain on the ulnar side of the wrist. The clinical evaluation and results from radiological investigations were documented and analysed. RESULTS: There were 17 different diagnoses. Eighty-five percent of the diagnoses were triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries, ulnocarpal abutment syndrome (UCAS), pisotriquetral arthritis (PTA), triquetral fracture or non-union, distal radioulnar joint arthritis (DRUJ OA) and extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) pathology. The ulnocarpal stress test and ulnar foveal sign were positive in several diagnoses. The ulnar foveal sign had a sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 48% for TFCC injuries, and 85% and 37% for UCAS, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of pisotriquetral shear test for PTA was 100% and 92%, respectively. Patients with PTA or ECU pathology localised their pain better on the patient's pain localisation chart. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of TFCC injuries, UCAS, DRUJ OA and ECU injuries are challenging as the clinical symptoms and signs for the four diagnoses were similar and required either magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography for diagnostic confirmation after clinical examination. The ulnocarpal stress test and the ulnar foveal sign were not sufficiently specific.

The "Trigger" Thumb Locked in Extension - An Unusual Presentation of a Common Paediatric Condition.

BACKGROUND: We report a variant of paediatric trigger thumb which is locked in extension rather than flexion. METHODS: Eleven children with 14 trigger thumbs (three bilateral) locked in extension were reviewed retrospectively over a 12-year period. The number of flexed trigger thumbs encountered over this period was established from the operating room database. RESULTS: All children were treated with release of the A1 pulley. Nine children achieved a full range of motion at the interphalangeal joint. One child with bilateral extended trigger thumbs required bilateral dorsal capsulotomy and another child developed temporary mild triggering in flexion. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1% of trigger thumbs treated operatively at this institution presented as the extended variant. Trigger thumb locked in extension should be considered in a child presenting with inability to flex the thumb.

Spinal accessory nerve transfer outperforms cervical root grafting for suprascapular nerve reconstruction in neonatal brachial plexus palsy.

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated long-term shoulder function in patients with neonatal brachial plexus palsy undergoing suprascapular nerve reconstruction with cervical root grafting or spinal accessory nerve transfer. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on all infants presenting with neonatal brachial plexus palsy between 1994 and 2010. Functional outcomes were compared by type of suprascapular nerve reconstruction. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients met the inclusion criteria (46 transfers, 28 grafts). Both groups presented with an active movement scale score of 2.0 for shoulder abduction and 0.0 for external rotation. Postoperative follow-up was 9.0 years for the graft group and 6.7 years for the transfer group. Both groups achieved an active movement scale score of 5.0 for shoulder abduction at 12, 24, and 36 months postoperatively. Active movement scale scores for shoulder external rotation were 1.0, 2.0, and 2.5 for the graft group versus 2.0, 2.0, and 3.0 for the transfer group at 12, 24, and 36 months postoperatively. None of these differences reached statistical significance. Composite Mallet scores were 13.0 for the graft group versus 15.0 for the transfer group at 3 years (p = 0.06) and 13.0 for the graft group versus 16.0 for the transfer group at 5 years postoperatively (p = 0.07). Secondary shoulder surgery was performed on 57.1 percent (16 of 28) of patients with grafts compared with 26.1 percent (12 of 46) of patients with transfers (OR, 3.17; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Suprascapular nerve reconstruction by cervical root grafting results in poorer shoulder function and a two-fold increase in secondary shoulder surgery compared with spinal accessory nerve transfer. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Lipoblastoma: An important differential diagnosis of tumours of the hand in children.

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign neoplasm of infancy and childhood with the potential for locally invasive, rapid growth. It has an excellent prognosis, and does not metastasise. An important differential diagnosis for these rapidly-enlarging tumours is liposarcoma. Ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, fine needle aspiration, and cytogenetics are important diagnostic tools for this rare tumour. We present two cases of lipoblastoma of the hand that were excised within a three month period with no evidence of recurrence at 14, and 12, months respectively.