Wide-Awake Olecranon Fracture Fixation: Is it Possible?

Purpose: The wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet technique has been widely performed in hand and wrist surgery with remarkable results. However, its use on the elbow has rarely been reported. Here we describe the use of wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet in olecranon fracture fixation in 4 cases. Methods: Tumescent anesthesia was injected from the proximal ulna to approximately 10 cm distally and into the periosteum and fracture site, approximately 25 minutes before skin incision. The fracture underwent closed reduction and was fixed using a long 6.5-mm cancellous screw with a washer through a small incision. No tourniquet was applied and none or mild sedation was administered. At the end of the operation, patients were asked to perform active elbow flexion-extension and forearm pronosupination movements under an image intensifier to test the range of motion and fracture stability. Results: The surgical procedure was completed in all 4 cases. Two patients reported mild pain during ulnar medullary canal reaming, with pain scores of 3 and 4 on a 10-point scale, respectively. One case was resolved with additional local anesthetic injection. The other case required the administration of intravenous propofol. Both patients were able to actively move the elbow at the end of the operation. Conclusions: The use of wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet for olecranon fracture fixation has the advantage of obviating the need for an arm tourniquet, general anesthesia or heavy sedation, preoperative tests, and discontinuing routine medications (including anticoagulants). The stability of the elbow fixation was tested by active motion during surgery. This simple, safe, low-cost, and reproducible technique may be a good option for patients with contraindications or high risk of general or regional nerve block anesthesia. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.

WALANT Technique in Percutaneous Scaphoid Osteosynthesis.

Scaphoid fractures account for 50 to 70% of all carpal bone fractures. Percutaneous scaphoid osteosynthesis can use the dorsal or volar approach, both with good results, and is most commonly performed under general anesthesia or regional nerve block. The wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique is already considered a safe and cost-effective technique in hand surgery around the world. Local anesthesia with epinephrine causes vasoconstriction, which obviates the need for tourniquet and, consequently, the need to use patient sedation. Thus, the possibility of testing fixation stability under physiological forces is another great advantage of using local anesthesia. In the technique described in the present paper, active wrist and hand motion can be tested immediately after scaphoid fixation. Wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet has been increasingly used in soft-tissue hand surgery and in the fixation of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures. However, to date, there is no published literature addressing the use of this technique in percutaneous scaphoid osteosynthesis. The purpose of the present technical note is to describe the use of WALANT for both the dorsal and volar approaches in percutaneous scaphoid osteosynthesis.

WALANT Technique in Percutaneous Scaphoid Osteosynthesis / WALANT na osteossíntese percutânea do escafoide

Abstract Scaphoid fractures account for 50 to 70% of all carpal bone fractures. Percutaneous scaphoid osteosynthesis can use the dorsal or volar approach, both with good results, and is most commonly performed under general anesthesia or regional nerve block. The wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique is already considered a safe and cost-effective technique in hand surgery around the world. Local anesthesia with epinephrine causes vasoconstriction, which obviates the need for tourniquet and, consequently, the need to use patient sedation. Thus, the possibility of testing fixation stability under physiological forces is another great advantage of using local anesthesia. In the technique described in the present paper, active wrist and hand motion can be tested immediately after scaphoid fixation. Wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet has been increasingly used in soft-tissue hand surgery and in the fixation of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures. However, to date, there is no published literature addressing the use of this technique in percutaneous scaphoid osteosynthesis. The purpose of the present technical note is to describe the use of WALANT for both the dorsal and volar approaches in percutaneous scaphoid osteosynthesis.

Resumo As fraturas do escafoide representam entre 50 e 70% de todas as fraturas dos ossos do carpo. A osteossíntese percutânea do escafoide pode usar a abordagem dorsal ou volar, ambas com bons resultados. É mais comumente realizada sob anestesia geral ou bloqueio nervoso regional. A técnica de anestesia local com o paciente totalmente acordado e sem torniquete (WALANT, na sigla em inglês) já é considerada uma técnica segura e eficaz na cirurgia da mão. A anestesia local com epinefrina causa vasoconstrição, o que evita o uso de torniquete e, consequentemente, a necessidade de sedação do paciente. Assim, a possibilidade de testar a estabilidade da fixação sob forças fisiológicas é outra grande vantagem do uso da anestesia local. Na técnica descrita aqui, o movimento ativo do punho e da mão pode ser testado imediatamente após a fixação escafoide. A técnica WALANT tem sido cada vez mais utilizada na cirurgia da mão em partes moles e na fixação de fraturas de metacarpo e falanges. No entanto, até o momento, não há literatura publicada abordando o uso dessa técnica na osteossíntese percutânea do escafoide. O objetivo desta nota técnica é descrever o uso de WALANT tanto para a abordagem dorsal quanto volar na osteossíntese percutânea do escafoide.

Osteosynthesis of Fractures of the Metacarpal Neck with Self-Compressing Screw - Preliminary Analysis of 21 Cases.

Objective The present study aims to analyze the clinical results of the surgical treatment of metacarpal neck fractures with retrograde intramedullary fixation using cannulated headless screws (Herbert type). Methods Retrospective study of 21 closed fractures deviated from the metacarpal neck in 21 patients operated between April 2015 and November 2018. Results The sample included 19 men and 2 women. The mechanisms that caused the trauma were punching, falling to the ground and motor vehicle accident (n = 14, 5 and 2). The affected metacarpals were the 5 th , 3 rd , and 2 nd (n = 19, 1 and 1). Surgical indications were neck-shaft diaphysis of the metacarpal > 30° for the 2 nd and 3 rd metacarpals and > 40° for the 5 th metacarpal, shortening ≥ 5mm, rotational deviation, and the desire of the patient not to use plaster cast. In the immediate postoperative period, patients remained without immobilization and were instructed to mobilize their fingers according to tolerance. All patients had total active mobility > 240° and returned to their former occupations. All fractures consolidated and there were no reinterventions. Discussion The great advantages of the headless screw technique are its low morbidity, sufficient stability to avoid external immobilization, and reproducibility at low cost. Conclusion This is an easy, fast technique that has excellent results for the surgical treatment of displaced fractures of the neck of the metacarpals.

Osteosynthesis of Fractures of the Metacarpal Neck with Self-Compressing Screw - Preliminary Analysis of 21 Cases / Osteossíntese de fraturas do colo do metacarpo com parafuso autocompressivo - Análise preliminar de 21 casos

Abstract Objective The present study aims to analyze the clinical results of the surgical treatment of metacarpal neck fractures with retrograde intramedullary fixation using cannulated headless screws (Herbert type). Methods Retrospective study of 21 closed fractures deviated from the metacarpal neck in 21 patients operated between April 2015 and November 2018. Results The sample included 19 men and 2 women. The mechanisms that caused the trauma were punching, falling to the ground and motor vehicle accident (n = 14, 5 and 2). The affected metacarpals were the 5th, 3rd, and 2nd (n = 19, 1 and 1). Surgical indications were neck-shaft diaphysis of the metacarpal > 30º for the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals and > 40º for the 5th metacarpal, shortening ≥ 5mm, rotational deviation, and the desire of the patient not to use plaster cast. In the immediate postoperative period, patients remained without immobilization and were instructed to mobilize their fingers according to tolerance. All patients had total active mobility > 240º and returned to their former occupations. All fractures consolidated and there were no reinterventions. Discussion The great advantages of the headless screw technique are its low morbidity, sufficient stability to avoid external immobilization, and reproducibility at low cost. Conclusion This is an easy, fast technique that has excellent results for the surgical treatment of displaced fractures of the neck of the metacarpals.

Resumo Objetivo O presente estudo visa analisar os resultados clínicos do tratamento cirúrgico das fraturas de colo do metacarpo com fixação intramedular retrógrada utilizando parafusos canulados sem cabeça (tipo Herbert). Métodos Estudo retrospectivo de 21 fraturas fechadas desviadas do colo do metacarpo em 21 pacientes operados entre abril de 2015 e novembro de 2018. Resultados A casuística incluiu 19 homens e 2 mulheres. Os mecanismos causadores do trauma foram soco, queda ao solo e acidente com veículo motorizado (n = 14, 5 e 2). Os metacarpos acometidos foram o V, III e II (n = 19, 1 e 1). As indicações cirúrgicas foram angulação colo-diáfise do metacarpo > 30º para os II e III metacarpos e > 40º para o V metacarpo, encurtamento ≥ 5mm, desvio rotacional e o desejo do paciente de não utilizar imobilização gessada. No pós-operatório imediato, os pacientes permaneceram sem imobilização e orientados a mobilizar os dedos conforme tolerância. Todos os pacientes ficaram com mobilidade ativa total > 240º e retornaram às suas antigas ocupações. Todas fraturas consolidaram e não houve reintervenções. Discussão As grandes vantagens da técnica com parafuso sem cabeça são sua baixa morbidade, estabilidade suficiente para não precisar de imobilização externa e reprodutibilidade com baixo custo. Conclusão Esta é uma técnica fácil, rápida, e que apresenta ótimos resultados para o tratamento cirúrgico das fraturas deslocadas do colo dos metacarpos.

Height of the foot longitudinal arch and anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the height of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot and non-contact injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament. METHODS: One hundred and five patients were included in this case-control study. The case group consisted of 52 patients with non-contact injury of the anterior cruciate ligament. Fifty-three individuals with no history of symptoms regarding to feet or knees comprised the control group. An anthropometric assessment of the bony arch index was performed, which consisted of measuring the ratio of the height between the navicular bone to the ground and the distance from the most posterior support point of the calcaneus to the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint. Gender, height, weight, body mass index and the frequency of sports practice were also evaluated. RESULTS: Subjects in the case group had significantly higher medial longitudinal arches than individuals in the control group. CONCLUSION: Individuals with rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament had higher arches than the corresponding controls, suggesting an association between a high medial longitudinal arch of the foot and injury of the anterior cruciate ligament. Level of Evidence III, Case-Control Study.

Height of the foot longitudinal arch and anterior cruciate ligament injuries

Avaliar a associação entre a altura do arco longitudinalmedial do pé e lesões por não-contato do ligamento cruzadoanterior. Métodos: Cento e cinco pacientes foram incluídos nesteestudo de caso-controle. O grupo dos casos compreendeu52 pacientes com lesão por não-contato do ligamento cruzadoanterior. Cinquenta e três indivíduos sem história de sintomasem relação aos pés ou joelhos compuseram o grupo controle.Uma avaliação antropométrica do índice do arco ósseo foi realizada,que consistiu na mensuração da razão entre a altura doosso navicular até o chão e a distância do ponto mais posteriorde suporte do calcâneo até a primeira articulação metatarso--falangeana. Sexo, altura, peso, índice de massa corpórea efrequência de prática desportiva também foram avaliados. Resultados:Indivíduos do grupo de casos tiveram arcos longitudinaismediais significativamente mais altos que os indivíduosdo grupo controle. Conclusão: Indivíduos com ruptura do ligamentocruzado anterior apresentaram arcos mais altos que oscontroles correspondentes, sugerindo uma associação entreum arco longitudinal medial do pé alto e lesão do ligamentocruzado anterior do joelho. Nível de Evidência III, Estudode Caso-Controle...

To evaluate the association between the height ofthe medial longitudinal arch of the foot and non-contact injuriesof the anterior cruciate ligament. Methods: One hundredand five patients were included in this case-control study. Thecase group consisted of 52 patients with non-contact injuryof the anterior cruciate ligament. Fifty-three individuals withno history of symptoms regarding to feet or knees comprisedthe control group. An anthropometric assessment of the bonyarch index was performed, which consisted of measuring theratio of the height between the navicular bone to the groundand the distance from the most posterior support point of thecalcaneus to the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint. Gender,height, weight, body mass index and the frequency of sportspractice were also evaluated. Results: Subjects in the casegroup had significantly higher medial longitudinal arches thanindividuals in the control group. Conclusion: Individuals withrupture of the anterior cruciate ligament had higher archesthan the corresponding controls, suggesting an associationbetween a high medial longitudinal arch of the foot and injuryof the anterior cruciate ligament. Level of Evidence III,Case-Control Study...