Homogenization of the management of acute paronychia with abscess formation within the context of an evaluation of professional practices.

INTRODUCTION: There is no consensus in the literature, or even within the same team, on the most appropriate treatment option for acute paronychia with abscess formation. The performance of an evaluation of professional practices (EPP) using a clinical audit measures the quality of our practices with the aim of standardizing them. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to develop a clinical pathway for the management of acute paronychia with abscess formation. The secondary objectives were to evaluate our professional practices using a clinical audit before and after the dissemination of the clinical pathway and then recommend strategies for improving our management of acute paronychia with abscess formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A working group was established that designed an audit grid comprised of 15 items. Thirty patients (Group 1) who had an acute paronychia with abscess formation were included and their health records were analyzed using this audit grid. The working group then developed a clinical pathway for the management of acute paronychia with abscess formation. Thirty new patients (Group 2) were included after the dissemination of this clinical pathway and their records were analyzed using the same audit grid. RESULTS: Our clinical pathway for the management of acute paronychia was validated by the local infectious disease committee of our university hospital center. The difference between groups 1 and 2 was significant (p<0.05) for eight items. There was no significant difference in the rate of surgical revision between the two groups. DISCUSSION: This EPP enabled us to develop a clinical pathway that detailed the processes for managing acute paronychia with abscess formation, and in particular it provided indications for antibiotic therapy and its limitations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Arthroscopic osteosynthesis of capitellum fractures: Feasibility study and clinical study on 2 cases.

BACKGROUND: The current management of displaced capitellum fractures is traditionally surgical. Most authors perform open reduction and internal fixation. The working hypothesis was that closed reduction and internal fixation of capitellum fractures is achievable by arthroscopy. METHODS: We carried out a cadaveric study on six fresh frozen elbows. We performed two Bryan and Morrey type I fractures of the capitellum, three type II and one type IV using a 15 mm osteotome. Fracture reduction was performed under arthroscopy using a probe hook and an aiming femoral instrument set. Fixation with a lag screw was performed under arthroscopy and radioscopic control. We reviewed, two patients who had been operated on for a type I and type II capitellum fracture and osteosynthesized under arthroscopy with a 7.5 years follow-up. RESULTS: In our cadaveric study, we obtained anatomical reduction and stable osteosynthesis in four cases. We had two failures (2 type II fractures) due to a fracture of the fragment during screwing. In our clinical study, range of motion was very satisfactory with only a 5° extension deficit. The x-rays did not reveal any signs of osteoarthritis or periarticular ossification. One patient had minimal signs of osteonecrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic osteosynthesis of capitellum fractures is feasible and reproducible. We recommend cannulated lag screws for Bryan and Morrey type I and IV fractures and adjustable lock pins for type II fractures. We have shown that this technique gives good results on two patients with a 7.5-year follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Segmental aponeurectomy with Z-Plasty as a treatment option in Dupuytren's disease: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Aponeurectomy remains the reference standard treatment for digit tethering by palmar fascial cords in Dupuytren's disease but is associated with a substantial complication rate. An alternative technique decreases metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) flexion contracture by combining palmar segmental aponeurectomy with Z-plasty skin closure. The primary objective of this study was to assess range of motion of the operated ray after the procedure. The secondary objectives were to assess the complication rate and to determine the recurrence rate after at least 1 year. HYPOTHESIS: Palmar segmental aponeurectomy with Z-plasty closure may provide the advantages of aponeurectomy while decreasing the surgical risk and recurrence rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 16 patients with predominant MCPJ flexion contracture due to a well-defined palmar fascial cord. Anaesthesia was loco-regional. The Z-plasty design involved a longitudinal incision along the palmar cord with an oblique incision at each end at a 60° angle to the longitudinal incision. The length of the aponeurectomy was about 1.5cm, to allow full MCPJ extension. RESULTS: In all, the 16 patients-13 males and 3 females-had 17 segmental palmar aponeurectomy procedures with Z-plasty closure. Mean operative time was 18minutes. Before surgery, mean loss of extension was 47° at the MCP joint and 15° at the corresponding proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ). Immediately after surgery, a 97% improvement in MCPJ extension was noted, leaving a mean extension deficit of 1.25°. Mean follow-up was 18.9 months. No complications occurred. Two patients experienced a recurrence. DISCUSSION: Segmental palmar aponeurectomy as described by Moermans in 1991 improves extension similarly to extensive aponeurectomy but has a lower complication rate. Z-plasty provides good exposure of the pedicles and takes advantage of the greater pliability of the skin on either side of the cord to lengthen the skin by 75%, thereby limiting the risk of the complications seen with needle aponeurotomy. Segmental palmar aponeurectomy with Z-plasty has a role in the management of Dupuytren's disease with flexion contracture predominantly involving the MCPJ.

Cervical sagittal alignment in idiopathic scoliosis treated by posterior instrumentation and in situ bending.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective radiographical analysis of cervical and thoracolumbar sagittal alignment in young adults with idiopathic scoliosis. OBJECTIVE: To analyze cervical alignment types, the relationship between cervical and thoracolumbar alignment and the effect of posterior instrumentation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Thoracic scoliosis with hypokyphosis may decrease cervical lordosis. Additional adaptive positional changes of the mobile cervical segment may exist, because sigmoid cervical patterns are observed. Sagittal alignment of the instrumented thoracolumbar spine may influence cervical alignment. METHODS: Pre- and postoperative full-spine radiographs of 52 patients were analyzed at 8-year average follow-up. Sagittal thoracolumbar measurements were T1 slope, T1-T4 kyphosis, T4-T12 kyphosis, L1-S1 lordosis, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, sagittal vertical axis (SVA) C7, and SVA C2. Cervical measurements were C0-C2, C2-C6, C2-C4, C4-C6, and C2-T1 lordosis, chin-brow vertical angle. RESULTS: Five cervical alignment types were identified: lordotic, hypolordotic, kyphotic, sigmoid with cranial lordosis, and sigmoid with cranial kyphosis. Spinopelvic parameters and global thoracolumbar balance remained unchanged postoperatively. The average C2-C6 lordosis increased by 6.4° (P < 0.0001). Twenty-seven of the 52 patients changed cervical alignment postoperatively. SVA C2-C7 difference changed in this subgroup (P = 0.0159). In 21 of the 27 patients, SVA changed more than 5 mm at C2 (P = 0.0029), and in 25 of the 27 patients at C7 (P < 0.0001). A correlation existed between T4-T12 kyphosis and L1-S1 lordosis, C2-C4 and L1-S1 lordosis, L1-S1 lordosis, and pelvic tilt. T1-T4 kyphosis and T1 slope correlated with C2-T1 lordosis, but proximal junctional kyphosis was not linked to a specific cervical alignment type. CONCLUSION: Postoperative adaptive changes occurred at C7 and C2 by shifting anteriorly or posteriorly, resulting in different radiographical cervical shapes. The amount of lumbar lordosis may influence cervical lordosis, which needs to be considered for surgical correction. Adaptive hip movements may influence thoracolumbar and cervical alignment. The amount of proximal thoracic kyphosis influenced cervical lordosis. Global thoracic hypokyphosis might influence cervical alignment, but it was not evidenced. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.