Distraction osteogenesis following low-dose hyperfractionated irradiation in the rat mandible.

PURPOSE: The investigators hypothesized that low-dose hyperfractionated radiation would impair mandibular distraction osteogenesis (DO) in a murine mandibular model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent fractionated radiation (30 Gy) of the left mandible. After a 2-week recovery period, an external frame distractor was applied and gradual distraction of the mandible was performed. Tissue was harvested after a 28-day consolidation period. Gross, radiologic, and histologic evaluations were undertaken. Control animals underwent surgery for an identical time frame without preoperative radiation. RESULTS: Animals subjected to preoperative radiation (n = 10) showed suboptimal bone formation, including bone atrophy, incomplete bridging of the distraction gap, and gross bony defects or nonunion, compared with controls (n = 10). Although physical lengthening was achieved, irradiation consistently led to a detrimental effect on the normal process of DO. CONCLUSION: This set of experiments establishes a valuable rodent model to evaluate the effects of radiation on DO and may help to formulate strategies to optimize DO before it is widely applied in oncologic reconstruction.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum Affecting the Dorsal Hand: A Case Report.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is an uncommon neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by an ulcerative lesion with a violaceous border. Most frequently, these lesions present in the lower extremity and are associated with underlying immune-mediated comorbidities. Infrequently, these lesions may present in the upper extremity, which presents difficult challenges for upper extremity surgeons as the lesions are frequently misdiagnosed as an infectious process. This often leads to inappropriate surgical debridement and antibiotic administration. Local trauma to the lesion can lead to a process of pathergy and worsening of the lesion. Here, we report on a case of cutaneous pyoderma gangrenosum affecting the dorsal hand, originally misidentified as an atypical infection with subsequent unsuccessful surgical debridement. After involvement of a multidisciplinary team, appropriate diagnosis was made, and treatment with local immunosuppressive agents achieved resolution of the lesion.

A cost-utility analysis of nonsurgical management, total wrist arthroplasty, and total wrist arthrodesis in rheumatoid arthritis.

PURPOSE: Management of end-stage rheumatoid wrist disease remains controversial. Total wrist arthrodesis provides reliable pain relief and stability and is the most commonly applied management strategy. Total wrist arthroplasty is a motion-preserving alternative that is gaining popularity. The purpose of this study was to perform a cost-utility analysis comparing nonsurgical management, total wrist arthroplasty, and total wrist arthrodesis for the rheumatoid wrist. METHODS: A time trade-off utility survey was developed to investigate patient and physician preferences for the potential outcomes of total wrist arthroplasty and total wrist arthrodesis. The study sample consisted of rheumatoid patients (N = 49) recruited as part of an ongoing prospective study and a national random sample of hand surgeons and rheumatologists (N = 109). A decision tree was created using utility values derived from the survey, and the expected quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for each procedure were determined. Using the societal perspective, costs were based on the Medicare fee schedules for the Current Procedural Terminology codes associated with total wrist arthroplasty and total wrist arthrodesis and their potential complications. Costs per QALY were calculated and compared. RESULTS: Patients and physicians both showed a preference for surgical management over nonsurgical management. Application of cost data indicated that the incremental cost per additional QALY gained for total wrist arthroplasty over nonsurgical management was $2,281 and the incremental cost per QALY gained with total wrist arthroplasty over total wrist arthrodesis was $2,328, which is substantially less than the national standard of $50,000/QALY deemed acceptable for adoption. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of rigorous outcome data, cost-utility analysis is a useful tool to guide treatment decisions. Total wrist arthroplasty and total wrist arthrodesis are both extremely cost-effective procedures. This study incorporated patient and physician utilities to demonstrate that total wrist arthroplasty has only a small incremental cost over the traditional total wrist arthrodesis procedure. Based on this economic model, total wrist arthroplasty may be worthy of further consideration, and cost should not be considered prohibitive. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Decision Analysis II.

Total wrist arthroplasty and total wrist arthrodesis in rheumatoid arthritis: a decision analysis from the hand surgeons' perspective.

PURPOSE: Treatment of severely destroyed rheumatoid wrists with total wrist arthroplasty or total wrist arthrodesis relies on patient and surgeon preferences rather than rigorous prospective outcomes data. The purpose of this study is to develop a decision analytic model of arthroplasty and arthrodesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using utility values obtained from a random sample of hand surgeons. METHODS: A utility survey using a time trade-off design was administered to 175 members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Based on the results of the survey, the utility values that surgeons assign to health states associated with arthroplasty and arthrodesis and their complications were calculated. By combining utility values with complication rates in the published literature, we developed a decision tree to calculate the expected quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for each procedure compared to living with a painful RA wrist. RESULTS: Based on surgeon preferences, living for 30 years with a painful, poorly functioning RA wrist (utility = 0.54) is associated with 16.2 QALYs. Treatment with arthroplasty (utility = 0.85) is associated with 25.5 QALYs, a gain of 9.3 QALYs over nonsurgical management. Arthrodesis (utility = 0.82) is associated with 24.6 QALYs, a gain of 8.4 QALYs over nonsurgical management. Arthroplasty is associated with a small incremental increase in QALYs (0.9) compared to arthrodesis. CONCLUSIONS: Based on utility scores, hand surgeons feel that living with a painful, poorly functioning RA wrist for 30 years is worth approximately half as many years with a painless, well-functioning wrist. The outcomes for arthroplasty and arthrodesis are valued more than nonsurgical management. On the basis of its higher expected gain in QALYs, arthroplasty should be the preferred treatment. The minimal increase in utility for arthroplasty over arthrodesis suggests however, that surgeons do not view arthroplasty as superior to arthrodesis. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic and decision analysis IV.

The effects of high dose and highly fractionated radiation on distraction osteogenesis in the murine mandible.

The ability of irradiated tissue to support bony growth remains poorly defined, although there are anecdotal cases reported showing mixed results for the use of mandibular distraction osteogenesis after radiation for head and neck cancer. Many of these reports lack objective measures that would allow adequate analysis of outcomes or efficacy. The purpose of this experiment was to utilize a rat model of mandibular distraction osteogenesis after high dose and highly fractionated radiation therapy and to evaluate and quantify distracted bone formation under these conditions. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 12 fractions of external beam radiation (48 Gray) of the left mandible. Following a two week recovery period, an external frame distractor was applied and gradual distraction of the mandible was performed. Tissue was harvested after a twenty-eight day consolidation period. Gross, radiologic and histological evaluations were undertaken. Those animals subjected to pre-operative radiation showed severe attenuation of bone formation including bone atrophy, incomplete bridging of the distraction gap, and gross bony defects or non-union. Although physical lengthening was achieved, the irradiated bone consistently demonstrated marked damaging effects on the normal process of distraction osteogenesis. This murine model has provided reliable evidence of the injurious effects of high dose radiation on bone repair and regeneration in distraction osteogenesis utilizing accurate and reproducible metrics. These results can now be used to assist in the development of therapies directed at mitigating the adverse consequences of radiation on the regeneration of bone and to optimize distraction osteogenesis so it can be successfully applied to post-oncologic reconstruction.

Reconstructing the rheumatoid wrist: a utility analysis comparing total wrist fusion and total wrist arthroplasty from the perspectives of rheumatologists and hand surgeons.

Rheumatologists and hand surgeons have historically demonstrated strikingly divergent attitudes toward the benefits of surgical intervention, either total wrist fusion or total wrist arthroplasty, for the rheumatoid wrist. A utility analysis was conducted to compare a national random sample of hand surgeons and rheumatologists regarding their opinions about surgical management of severe rheumatoid wrist disease. A web-based trade-off utility survey was developed, and participants were presented with survey scenarios comparing well-controlled rheumatoid arthritis with operative and non-operative management. Utility values were calculated for each scenario, and a decision analytic model was constructed. Utility values for rheumatologists and hand surgeons did not differ significantly for any scenario. Total wrist arthroplasty was associated with the highest expected gain in quality-adjusted life-years for each subgroup. This decision analytic model demonstrates similar opinions between two subspecialties that have historically demonstrated divergent attitudes towards rheumatoid hand surgery.

A systematic review of total wrist arthroplasty compared with total wrist arthrodesis for rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Management of the end-stage rheumatoid wrist is controversial. The most common treatment is total wrist fusion. Total wrist arthroplasty offers a motion-preserving alternative. Comparison of outcomes for total wrist arthroplasty and total wrist fusion is necessary for evidence-based decision making. The purpose of this systematic review was to scientifically evaluate the existing literature for outcomes of both procedures in rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: A MEDLINE database review was performed. Search included "wrist and arthroplasty," "wrist and arthrodesis," and "wrist and fusion." Silicone arthroplasty was excluded. Data extraction included demographic information, surgical technique, pain, and active arc of motion. Complications and satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS: Literature review identified 1750 citations that were screened for inclusion criteria. Formal review identified 18 total wrist arthroplasty studies representing approximately 500 procedures. Data from 20 total wrist fusion studies represented over 800 procedures. Comparison of outcomes showed that total wrist fusion provides more reliable relief than total wrist arthroplasty. Complication and revision rates were higher for total wrist arthroplasty. Satisfaction was high in both groups. Postoperative motion was reviewed to evaluate whether arthroplasty provides a functional active arc of motion. Of 14 studies reporting appropriate data, three showed average active arc of motion within the functional range. CONCLUSIONS: In this systematic review, outcomes for total wrist fusion were comparable and possibly better than those for total wrist arthroplasty in rheumatoid patients. In this era of cost-conscious medical care, expensive interventions must demonstrate superior outcomes. Existing data do not support widespread application of total wrist arthroplasty for the rheumatoid arthritis wrist.

Mandibular distraction in the absence of an ascending ramus and condyle.

The introduction of distraction osteogenesis (DO) as a method of mandibular elongation has provided the craniofacial surgeon with a valuable tool in the approach to patients with mandibular deficiencies. A growing number of case reports and clinical series have proven the efficacy of mandibular DO as an augmentative technique in patients with hemifacial microsomia (HFM). Although DO has become a part of the treatment algorithm for many patients with HFM, surgeons have been reluctant to apply the technique in patients with complete agenesis of the ascending mandibular ramus and condyle (grade III HFM). In the following cases, mandibular DO was successfully performed in two patients with grade III HFM. Preoperative images and intraoperative findings confirmed that both patients lacked the entire ascending mandibular ramus and condyle on the affected side. After unilateral multiplanar DO, both patients showed new bone formation within the distraction gap and development of a pseudoarthrosis between the proximal segment of the mandible and the skull base. Facial symmetry improved dramatically, and speech and mandibular excursion were maintained. The patients have been followed for 1 to 2 years after distraction with durable functional and esthetic outcomes. Mandibular DO offers many advantages compared with rib grafting, including avoidance of donor site morbidity, application in patients who are not candidates for graft harvest, and use after rib graft failure. The following cases support the use of mandibular DO as a mechanism of endogenous tissue engineering in patients with complete agenesis of the ascending mandibular ramus and condyle.