Volar capsulodesis of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint at the time of basal joint arthroplasty: a surgical technique using suture anchors.

PURPOSE: To document the long-term results of our volar metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint capsulodesis technique that is completed concomitantly with basal joint arthroplasty and involves a suture anchor placement, short-term pinning, and a rigid hand therapy protocol. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review to examine results over a 30-month period of our volar capsulodesis technique. Follow-up results were recorded 26 to 48 months after surgery. The treatment regimen included suture anchors, joint pinning for 6 weeks, and a strict hand therapy protocol. Indications for surgery were thumb MCP joint hyperextension deformity of at least 30° and radiographic evidence of stage 3 (or greater) basal joint arthritis. We examined preoperative and postoperative range of motion, pain, pinch strength, and complications. Average patient age was 63 years (range, 55-77 y). We treated 14 thumbs in 14 patients. RESULTS: After capsulodesis, average range of motion for the MCP joint of the thumb was 4° extension and 46° flexion. The last follow-up indicated no cases of hyperextension contracture. Complications included one superficial pin track infection (treated with oral antibiotics) and one patient's report of pain at the thumb MCP joint. CONCLUSIONS: When completed as described, thumb MCP joint capsulodesis performed concurrently with trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty can be a straightforward procedure that produces positive results. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Outcomes of minimally invasive myotomy for the treatment of achalasia in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of elderly patients diagnosed with achalasia are being referred for minimally invasive myotomy. Little data are available about the operative outcomes in this population. The objective of this study was to review our experience with this procedure in an elderly population. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 51 consecutive patients, 65 years of age or older, diagnosed with achalasia who underwent a minimally invasive myotomy at our institution. Prior therapies, perioperative outcomes, and postoperative interventions were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 51 patients, 28 (55%) had undergone prior endoscopic therapy, and 2 patients (7%) had a prior myotomy. Mean duration of symptoms was 10.9 years (range, 0.5 to 50). No perioperative mortality occurred, and the median hospital stay was 3 days. Two patients (3.8%) had complications, including a gastric mucosal injury and one atelectasia. Eleven patients (21%) required additional therapy postoperatively. Symptom improvement was described in all patients. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy can safely be performed in elderly patients, providing significant symptom relief. No evidence suggests that surgery should not be considered a first-line treatment. Advanced age does not appear to adversely affect outcomes of laparoscopic Heller myotomy.

Results of the Volar Approach in Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Most hand surgeons use a dorsal approach for proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint implant arthroplasty. However, a volar approach offers the advantage of no disturbance to the extensor mechanism, thus allowing early initiation of active range of motion. We examined our results in patients who underwent PIP joint arthroplasty via a volar approach. METHODS: Using a retrospective chart review, we evaluated the outcomes of patients undergoing PIP joint arthroplasty through a volar approach between 2001 and 2005 by 3 fellowship-trained hand surgeons at our institution. The indication for surgery was PIP joint pain with radiographic evidence of joint destruction. Variables included implant type, diagnosis, affected digit(s), preoperative and postoperative range of motion, and complications. Hand therapy was initiated on postoperative day 3 or 4. RESULTS: Over the 5 years, 25 PIP joints were replaced in 18 women and 2 men with the volar approach. Replacements consisted of 14 surface replacement prostheses, 9 pyrocarbon prostheses, and 2 silicone prostheses. The average age of patients at prosthesis implantation was 64 years (range, 39-75 years). Prostheses were placed in 1 index, 12 long, 7 ring, and 5 small digits. Average follow-up period was 33 months (range, 24-69 months). Preoperative diagnoses were osteoarthritis (14), rheumatoid arthritis (4), and posttraumatic arthritis (2). Preoperative total arc of motion averaged 42° (range, 0° extension to 80° flexion); postoperative total arc of motion averaged 56° (range, -10° extension to 90° flexion). Complications comprised 1 swan neck deformity, 1 deep infection, 1 dislocation (early), and 2 loose implants with flexion contractures. Seventeen patients had minimal or no pain at their last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: PIP joint arthroplasty can be successfully implemented through a volar approach with various implant types and has outcomes similiar to the published results of the dorsal approach.

Revision of failed, recurrent or complicated pectus excavatum after Nuss, Ravitch or cardiac surgery.

Pectus excavatum (PE) can recur after both open and minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) techniques. The cause of recurrence may differ based on the initial repair procedure performed. Recurrence risks for the open repair are due to factors which include incomplete previous repair, repair at too young of age, excessive dissection, early removal or lack of support structures, and incomplete healing of the chest wall. For patients presenting after failed or recurrent primary MIRPE repair, issues with support bars including placement, number, migration, and premature removal can all be associated with failure. Connective tissue disorders can complicate and increase recurrence risk in both types of PE repairs. Identifying the factors that contributed to the previous procedure's failure is critical for prevention of another recurrence. A combination of surgical techniques may be necessary to successfully repair some patients.

Success of Minimally Invasive Pectus Excavatum Procedures (Modified Nuss) in Adult Patients (≥30 Years).

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) has become standard for pediatric and young adult patients, but its use for older adults is controversial. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of adults (≥18 years of age) who underwent MIRPE from January 1, 2010, through April 30, 2015, and collected demographic data, operative details, and information about outcomes. Cardiac function was measured before and after repair by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. We divided patients by age: 18 to 29 years of age and 30 years of age and older. RESULTS: Of 361 patients, 207 were 30 or older (mean, 40 years; range, 30 to 72 years; 71.5% men). Of the older patients, 151 had primary repairs. MIRPE was successfully used in 88.7% of patients older than 30 years of age versus 96.5% of those 18 to 29 years of age. For patients 30 years of age and older, open-cartilage resection, sternal osteotomy, or both was more common with increasing age (mean, 47.8 years versus 39.5 years; p = 0.0003) and higher mean Haller index (7.7 versus 5.5; p = 0.0254). Mean operative time for MIRPE was significantly longer for older patients (≥30 years of age) compared with younger adults (121 [60 to 224] minutes versus 111 [62 to 178] minutes; p = 0.0154). Right ventricular output increased 65.2% after repair in older adults. Although greater, the frequency of bar rotation requiring reoperation was not significantly increased in the older patients (p = 0.74). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of adult patients with PE can have successful repair with modified MIRPE. The use of cartilage or sternal osteotomy, or both, increased with patient age and defect severity.

Randomized trial of epidural vs. subcutaneous catheters for managing pain after modified Nuss in adults.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) is now performed in adults. Managing adult patients' pain postoperatively has been challenging due to increased chest wall rigidity and the pressure required for supporting the elevated sternum. The optimal pain management regimen has not been determined. We designed this prospective, randomized trial to compare postoperative pain management and outcomes between thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and bilateral subcutaneous infusion pump catheters (On-Q). METHODS: Patients undergoing MIRPE (modified Nuss) underwent random assignment to TEA or On-Q group. Both groups received intravenous, patient-controlled opioid analgesia, with concomitant delivery of local anesthetic. Primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS), opioid use, and pain scores. RESULTS: Of 85 randomly assigned patients, 68 completed the study [52 men, 76.5%; mean (range) age, 32.2 (20.0-58.0) years; Haller index, 5.9 (range, 3.0-26.7)]. The groups were equally matched for preoperative variables; however, the On-Q arm had more patients (60.3%). No significant differences were found between groups in mean daily pain scores (P=0.52), morphine-equivalent opioid usage (P=0.28), or hospital stay 3.5 vs. 3.3 days (TEA vs. On-Q; P=0.55). Thirteen patients randomized to TEA refused the epidural and withdrew from the study because they perceived greater benefit of the On-Q system. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative pain management in adults after MIRPE can be difficult. Both continuous local anesthetic delivery by TEA and On-Q catheters with concomitant, intravenous, patient-controlled anesthesia maintained acceptable analgesia with a reasonable LOS. In our cohort, there was preference for the On-Q system for pain management.

Emergency management of complicated jejunal diverticulosis.

Jejunal diverticulosis is a rare condition that is usually found incidentally. It is most often asymptomatic but presenting symptoms are nonspecific and include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, malabsorption, bleeding, obstruction, and/or perforation. A retrospective review of medical records between 1999 and 2012 at a tertiary referral center was conducted to identify patients requiring emergency management of complicated jejunal diverticulosis. Complications were defined as those that presented with inflammation, bleeding, obstruction, or perforation. Eighteen patients presented to the emergency department with acute complications of jejunal diverticulosis. Ages ranged from 47 to 86 years (mean, 72 years). Seven patients presented with evidence of free bowel perforation. Six had either diverticulitis or a contained perforation. The remaining five were found to have gastrointestinal bleeding. Fourteen of the patients underwent surgical management. Four patients were successfully managed nonoperatively. As a result of the variety of presentations, complications of jejunal diverticulosis present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the acute care surgeon. Although nonoperative management can be successful, most patients should undergo surgical intervention. Traditional management dictates laparotomy and segmental jejunal resection. Diverticulectomy is not recommended as a result of the risk of staple line breakdown. The entire involved portion of jejunum should be resected when bowel length permits.

Increased risk of neoplasm in appendicitis treated with interval appendectomy: single-institution experience and literature review.

Appendicitis is a common diagnosis encountered by the acute care surgeon. Management of complicated appendicitis is controversial and often involves initial nonoperative therapy with interval appendectomy. This study reviews single-institutional experience with management of complicated appendicitis with interval appendectomy and addresses an unusually high occurrence of incidental appendiceal malignancies observed with a review of relevant literature. A retrospective review of all diagnoses of appendicitis was performed over 5 years at a tertiary care center. Patient demographics, time to surgery, operative technique, pathologic diagnosis, and clinical outcomes were examined. Three hundred fifteen patients were diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Of these, 24 (7.6%) were deemed complicated and did not undergo immediate appendectomy, and 18 ultimately underwent appendectomy at our institution and were included in analysis. There were no statistical demographic or symptomatic differences between the immediate and interval appendectomy patients. Ninety-nine per cent of the immediate appendectomy patients were treated laparoscopically; 78 per cent of the interval group underwent attempted laparoscopic treatment with 56 per cent completed without conversion to open (P < 0.01). Neoplasms were discovered in 1 per cent of the acute appendectomy group and 28 per cent of the interval appendectomy group (P < 0.0001). Two of the three neoplasms in the acute group were carcinoid, whereas three of the five neoplasms in the interval group were adenocarcinoma. Surgeons should consider appendiceal or colonic neoplasms in cases of complicated appendicitis when nonoperative management is considered. This is most important in patients older than 40 years, in those who forego interval appendectomy, or in those who could be lost to follow-up.

Laparoscopic management of acute small bowel obstruction: evaluating the need for resection.

BACKGROUND: Acute small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common condition encountered by the on-call emergency surgeon. The role of laparoscopy in the management of SBO continues to be defined. This modality can be limited by dilated bowel and inadequate assessment of compromised tissue. This review was undertaken to determine the reliability of laparoscopic evaluation and the subsequent need for bowel resection. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients surgically managed for acute SBO between July 2005 and September 2010 was conducted. The clinical presentation, computed tomographic findings, indications for surgery, type of intervention, need for reoperation, length of stay (LOS), and outcomes were all abstracted. RESULTS: A total of 119 patients were surgically managed for acute SBO during this period, 63 with initial laparoscopy and 56 with an open procedure. Twenty-five (40%) of the laparoscopy patients were converted to open, leaving 38 completed laparoscopically. Of the completed group, three patients underwent bowel resection compared with 16 in the converted group (8% vs. 64%, p < 0.0001). No patients in the completed group required a subsequent procedure for bowel resection. Twenty-three (41%) patients in the open cohort required a resection. LOS was significantly reduced in the completed group (7.7 days) compared with the converted (11.0 days, p = 0.01) and open groups (11.4 days, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 32% of acute SBOs were managed solely with laparoscopy. No patients requiring a bowel resection were missed using this method of evaluation. Laparoscopic management should be considered as safe and effective initial therapy in most cases of acute SBO.

A comparison of workers' compensation patients and nonworkers' compensation patients undergoing endoscopic carpal tunnel release.

This study compares results of endoscopic carpal tunnel release using the two-portal technique in two groups of patients based on whether or not they were receiving workers' compensation. There were 50 patients in the worker's compensation group and 63 in the nonworker's compensation group. Mean follow-up was 40.8 months and 44.8 months, respectively. Duration of symptoms before surgery was statistically different in the two groups, 13.6 months in the worker's compensation groups compared to 26.2 months in the nonworker's compensation group. Worker's compensation patients tended to be younger, have shorter duration of symptoms before surgery, report lower postoperative activity levels, have more subsequent surgeries, and have mediocre results when compared to nonworker's compensation patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate or timing of return to work. Our series of 113 patients who had endoscopic carpal tunnel release indicates that careful patient selection is necessary to achieve satisfactory outcomes in worker's compensation patients.

The volar approach to proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty.

Proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty has resulted in good outcomes in patients treated for osteoarthritis, posttraumatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Most hand surgeons complete arthroplasties of the proximal interphalangeal joint through a dorsal approach. However, for the past 7 years, we have had positive results with a volar approach. We describe this technique, which avoids injury to the extensor tendon and allows for a more simplified approach to postoperative therapy compared with the therapy regimen required after the dorsal approach.

Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma of the Distal Radius: A Case Report.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular tumor with cytologic behavior between angiosarcoma and hemangioma. We present the case of a 58-year-old male with primary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the distal radius measuring 6.2 × 5 cm with extension into the pronator quadratus and brachioradialis muscles. We discuss our approach to performing a limb-sparing resection combined with reconstruction to preserve upper extremity function. A review of the clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is also presented.