Major complications after 400 continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blocks for post-operative analgesia.

BACKGROUND: A continuous popliteal sciatic nerve block (CPSNB) has been performed with increasing frequency for post-operative analgesia after foot surgery. Major complications associated with the placement of a perineural catheter remain rarely studied. The aim of this study was to prospectively determine the incidence of major complications (neurological and infectious) in post-operative adult patients with a continuous popliteal catheter inserted by the anatomical posterior approach for analgesia after foot surgery. METHODS: All popliteal catheters were placed pre-operatively under sterile conditions with the aid of a nerve stimulator technique. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of major complications including infection and neuropathy. As a secondary outcome, adverse effects as well as other complications were also evaluated. Data were expressed as median [25th-75th percentiles]. RESULTS: A total of 400 patients were included in the study during a 2-year period. The median time the catheter remained indwelling was 47 h [23, 54]. Major complications included three events (0.75%) with one infection (0.25%) and two neuropathies (0.50%). Three blocks were unsuccessful and the catheter insertion was difficult in 12 patients (3%). During the CPSNB procedure, one patient reported slight paraesthesia during stimulation. Patient satisfaction was scored at 4 for 89%, 3 for 6% and 2 for 5% on the analogue scale. CONCLUSIONS: Major complications after the use of CPSN are not in fact rare. The incidence of severe neuropathy or infection complications is, respectively, 0.50% and 0.25%. However, the insertion of CPSN could be considered effective and is associated with only a few minor complications.

[Comminuted intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus in elderly patients]. / Fractures articulaires complexes de l'extrémité distale de l'humérus chez le sujet âgé

Treatment of comminuted intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus in elderly patients remains a challenge in trauma surgery. These fractures are rare, but their frequency increases. Our multicenter studies collected 238 cases of comminuted intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus in patients older than 65: two hundred and five cases for the retrospective study, 33 for the prospective study with a minimum follow-up of six months. The following criterias were studied: age, sex, state of health (with ASA score), functional scores (with Katz score), osteoporosis by the OST score and dual X-ray absorptiometry. The results were evaluated according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (Morrey) and the Quick DASH. X-ray studies were performed in order to assess both results for prosthesis and osteosynthesis. The following criteria were studied: bone healing, quality of reduction, signs of arthritis (Broberg-Morrey), prosthetic position, mechanical complications, prosthesis fixation. There were 80% of women in good health according to the ASA score (more than 70% of ASA 1 or 2). Most of them (80%) were self-governing and living at home. Hundred and seventy-two patients had an osteosynthesis and 44 had a prosthetic reconstruction (like Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis). Patients treated with osteosynthesis were younger (mean age was 77) than those treated with prosthetic reconstruction (mean age 81). Mean follow-up was 32 months. Results of osteosynthesis were good and excellent for 77% of the patients. Complications occurred for 20% of patients with a reoperation rate of 13%. Results of prosthetic reconstruction were good and excellent for 83% of the patients with 14% of complications and 6% of reoperation. Prosthetic reconstruction seemed to be better than osteosynthesis according to the Mayo Clinic score (84 points versus 77 points for the retrospective study and 95 points versus 75 points for the prospective study). However, the statistical analysis was not significant. Treatment of these fractures must be discussed according to the physiological status of the patient and the fracture patterns (scan evaluation). In conclusion, osteosynthesis remains the standard treatment when stable fixation is feasible. However, prosthetic reconstruction should be discussed for dependant patients or with comorbidity factors, bad bone quality leading to poor osteosynthesis or complex fracture.

Surgical exploration of hand wounds in the emergency room: Preliminary study of 80 personal injury claims.

BACKGROUND: The SHAM Insurance Company in Lyon, France, estimated that inadequate hand wound exploration in the emergency room (ER) accounted for 10% of all ER-related personal injury claims in 2013. The objective of this study was to conduct a critical analysis of 80 claims that were related to hand wound management in the ER and led to compensation by SHAM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty claims filed between 2007 and 2010 were anonymised then included into the study. To be eligible, claims had to be filed with SHAM, related to the ER management of a hand wound in an adult, and closed at the time of the study. Claims related to surgery were excluded. For each claim, we recorded 104 items (e.g., epidemiology, treatments offered, and impact on social and occupational activities) and analysed. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients, 60% were manual workers. The advice of a surgeon was sought in 16% of cases. The most common wound sites were the thumb (33%) and index finger (17%). Among the missed lesions, most involved tendons (74%) or nerves (29%). Many patients had more than one reason for filing a claim. The main reasons were inadequate wound exploration (97%), stiffness (49%), and dysaesthesia (41%). One third of patients were unable to return to their previous job. Mean sick-leave duration was 148 days and mean time from discharge to best outcome was 4.19%. Most claims (79%) were settled directly with the insurance company, 16% after involvement of a public mediator, and 12% in court. The mean compensatory damages award was 4595Euros. CONCLUSION: Inadequate surgical exploration of hand wounds is common in the ER, carries a risk of lasting and sometimes severe residual impairment, and generates considerable societal costs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

[Biomechanical evaluation of osteosynthesis with cannulated screws for Ponteau-Colles fractures in a bird model]. / Evaluation biomécanique de l'ostéosynthèse par vis canulées enfouies des fractures de Ponteau-Colles sur un modèle aviaire.

INTRODUCTION: The use of cannulated screw without protrusive head in Colles fractures could avoid some of the drawbacks of conventional pinning. In order to compare the mechanical resistance of Kirshner wires versus cannulated screws we designed a animal model of Colles fractures and tested three types of osteosynthesis: A: K-wires, B: Herbert cannulated screw, C: specific cannulated screws. METHOD: After creating a 10 mm defect in three sets of 10 fresh turkey tibia, 3 types of osteosynthesis were done and tested in compression with an Adamel Lhomargy machine: set A: K-wire fixation, set B: Herbert screws fixation and set C: specifics screws fixation. RESULTS: The compression strength needed for failure of the fixations were: for the K-wires (set A): 52 N +/- 17; for the Herbert screws (set B): 93 N +/- 39; for the specifics screws (set C): 160 N +/- 48; (p < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: The use of an animal model makes the experimentation easier and the sampling more homogeneous. In this model, resistance to compression of the cannulated screw was better than K-wires and the specific cannulated screw better than Herbert screw. Therefore clinical trial of osteosynthesis with cannulated screw in Colles fracture could be considered.

[Guepar anatomical trapeziometacarpal prosthesis]. / La prothèse trapèzométacarpienne anatomique Guepar.

INTRODUCTION: A choice of surgical techniques of treatment for trapeziometacarpal (TMC) Osteo-Arthritis (OA) have been described. Total arthroplasty is often used, especially in France. Many papers have been published, presenting various prostheses. In English literature, this device is not thoroughly used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: [corrected] Guepar total arthroplasty is a cemented ball-in-socket prosthesis in metal-polyethylene. It includes an anatomical stem available in 4 sizes. After failure of the conservative treatment, total arthroplasty must be reserved to elderly patients, painful, with OA Dell stage III or IV aligned or not. The trapezial height must be sufficient. The authors reports the preliminary results of 64 Guepar prostheses, anatomical new design, implanted since 1995. RESULTS: Results of 63 prostheses are presented. One removal had been necessary at 9 months for metacarpal loosening (failure). Mean follow-up was 29 months. Clinical results were judged excellent or good in all cases. Regarding the radiological results, no modifications has been observed in 56 cases. Six radiolucent lines without displacement of the implants has been noted, with no incidence on clinical results. In one case, a metacarpal stem penetrated into the medullary canal in the bone axis but without any clinical modifications. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Clinically, in addition to pain relief, trapeziometacarpal prosthesis allows to preserve the first column length and to obtain a better opposition of the thumb as well of a better thumb-digits pinch, compared after trapeziectomy. Radiologically, as for total hip arthroplasty, the exact adaptation of an anatomical stem (new design) to the canal has probably a better prognosis at long term follow-up.

[Razemon's lateral digital rotation flap in severe Dupuytren contracture of the fifth finger]. / Le lambeau de rotation latéro-digital de Razemon dans les formes graves de la maladie de Dupuytren du cinquième rayon.

In Dupuytren's disease, correction of severe contracture deformities and excision of dermal lesions are often responsible for palmar skin defects. This study aimed to assess the results of the lateral digital flap described by Razemon. Thirty-seven patients were analysed retrospectively for functional and trophic results. Twelve months of follow-up were at least required. The lack of extension was appreciated through Thomine's coefficient. Subjective patient's opinion was noted about function of fifth finger and hand. The flap trophicity was evaluated through softness, coverage quality and esthetic aspect. In the preoperative period, the average lack of extension was 105°; 89% of the patients were ranked as stages 3 or 4 of Tubiana's classification. At the 12th month, the average Thomine's coefficient was 0.74; 70% of the patients were very satisfied. Two patients exhibited some lack of suppleness and seven a dyschromic scars. The lateral digital rotation flap is a quite simple surgical procedure. It allows satisfactory results corresponding to functional and trophic coverage in severe Dupuytren's contracture involving the fifth finger.

Anatomical comparative study of two vascularized bone grafts for the wrist.

Atrophic scaphoid non-union and lunate necrosis can be treated with vascularized bone grafting; through a posterior approach as described by Zaidemberg, based on a supraretinacular artery, or through an anterior approach, based on the volar carpal artery, according to Kuhlmann's procedure. The aim of our study was to determine the area covered by each of these two grafts and their respective future applications. Fifteen hands from eight adult human cadavers, free of any scar, were dissected after injection of colored fluid latex, through dorso-radial approach for Zaidemberg's graft and through volar approach for Kuhlmann's. We observed the morphological parameters of the pedicles and the arc of rotation of each flap. The volar vascularized graft had a constant origin and it could be transferred to the scaphoid, the lunate and the scapholunate joint. The posterior graft of Zaidemberg was technically more difficult to harvest because of the anatomical variations. It made it possible to reach the scaphoid, the trapezium and the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint line. Both these two vascularized bone grafts represent interesting procedures for treatment of scaphoid non-union or lunate necrosis, or intracarpal bones arthrodesis. They bring various possibilities of bone covering, related to specific area of mobilization and are not opposite procedures, but have different targeted indications. One must better define the respective places of the vascularized bone grafts, compared with the traditional free (non-vascularized) graft.

[Surgical replacement of the thumb saddle joint with the GUEPAR prosthesis]. / Die chirurgische Versorgung der Rhizarthrose mit der GUEPAR-Prothese.

Primary arthritis of the thumb saddle joint is very common. Among the different treatment options, the implantation of a total joint arthroplasty is an alternative. The GUEPAR prosthesis, developed by a group of French surgeons, is mainly used in elderly patients and only in cases with preserved trapezial height. This study reports the mid-term results of the second generation of this implant. The clinical results show good pain relief and good mobility of the thumb. There were a few patients with radiological signs of implant loosening, but none of them had clinical problems. The advantage of a total replacement of the saddle joint, compared to the standard resection arthroplasty, is faster rehabilitation and preservation of the length of the thumb. The new generation of the GUEPAR prosthesis has a more anatomical metacarpal stem and a modularity which allows the fit of the implants according to the anatomical situation.