Hand function outcomes following surgical treatment of complete neonatal brachial plexus palsy.

PURPOSE: Although re-innervation of the hand is considered a priority in the treatment of infants with complete brachial plexus injury, there is currently a paucity of publications investigating hand function outcomes following primary nerve reconstruction in infants with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP). This study therefore aimed to evaluate hand function outcomes in a series of patients with complete NBPP. METHODS: This retrospective case series included all patients who underwent primary nerve surgery for complete neonatal brachial plexus palsy over an 8-year period. Outcomes were assessed using the Raimond Hand Scale. Classification of grade 3 or higher indicates a functional hand (assistance in bimanual activity). RESULTS: Nineteen patients with a complete NBPP underwent primary nerve reconstruction at a mean age of 3.7 months. Periodic clinical evaluations were performed until at least 4 years of age. According to the Raimondi hand scale, one patient did not recover (grade 0), three patients attained grade 1, four grade 2, ten grade 3, and in one grade 4. Overall hand functional recovery was achieved in 57.8% (11/19) of patients. CONCLUSION: Sufficient recovery of hand function to perform bimanual activity tasks in patients with complete NBPP lesions is possible and should be a priority in the surgical treatment of these infants.

Long-term evaluation of hand function in children undergoing Oberlin and Oberlin-like procedures for reinnervation of the biceps muscle.

PURPOSE: Long-term evaluation of hand function in children who underwent transfer procedures to reinnervate the biceps muscle, using fascicles from the ulnar and median nerves as donors. METHODS: In the last follow-up evaluation, the children underwent a neurological examination, and their hand status was classified according to the Raimondi grading system for hand function. Two physical measurements, the child health assessment questionnaire (CHAQ) and the Sollerman hand function test, were applied to assess upper extremity function. RESULTS: Eight children were re-evaluated. In four the donor fascicle was from the ulnar nerve and in four from the median nerve. The average interval between surgery and the last evaluation was 8.3 years (range 6-10 years). Five patients scored 5 points in the Raimondi grading system, and 3 patients scored 4 points. The results from the CHAQ ranged from 0.03 to 0.41. The results from the Sollerman test were between 60 and 77 for the affected upper limb and between 65 and 79 for the dominant upper limb. CONCLUSION: Nerve transfer of a fascicle from the ulnar or median nerve to the biceps motor branch in children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy does not result in hand dysfunction.

Randomized trial for the treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness: surgical release vs. rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: There are no previous randomized trials comparing surgical to conservative treatment for post-traumatic elbow stiffness. The aim of our study was to compare elbow range of motion (ROM) and clinical outcomes among patients undergoing surgical treatment or a standardized rehabilitation for post-traumatic elbow stiffness. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial of patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness for more than 6 months who failed conventional physical therapy for 4 months. Patients were randomized into 2 treatment groups. The conservative group underwent the rehabilitation protocol associated with the use of orthoses (static progressive for extension and dynamic for flexion) and continuous passive motion. The surgical group underwent surgical release by a posterior approach without triceps detachment, followed by a rehabilitation protocol similar to the conservative group. The primary outcome of the study was flexion-extension ROM at 6 months of follow-up. Secondary outcomes included the visual analog scale for pain, the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, absolute and relative increase in flexion-extension ROM, and complication rates. RESULTS: Thirty patients were analyzed in the study, 15 in each group. The mean elbow flexion-extension ROM at the end of 6 months of follow-up was 108° in the surgical group and 88° in the conservative group (P = .002). The mean absolute and the relative increase of elbow flexion-extension at 6 months were, respectively, 17° and 27% in the conservative group and 41° and 59% in the surgical group (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Surgical elbow release associated with the rehabilitation protocol resulted in a greater flexion-extension ROM, as well as a greater absolute and relative increase compared with rehabilitation alone at 6 months of follow-up. The groups did not differ regarding clinical scores and complication rates.

Transfer of Second Toe for the Treatment of Traumatic Thumb Amputation in a Four-year-old Child: A Case Report.

Microsurgical toe transfer for thumb reconstruction is a challenging procedure, considering the technical skills necessary to perform it, as well as the difficult postoperative evaluation of esthetical and functional aspects. The present is the report of the case of a 3-year-old child who suffered a traumatic thumb amputation. Thumb reconstruction was performed through microsurgical toe transfer months after replantation failure. Subjective and objective outcome assessments were performed five years after the procedure. The functional outcome was evaluated through the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT). The Jamar dynamometer (Sammons Preston, Bolingbrook, IL, US) and the Jamar Pinch Gauge (Sammons Preston) devices were used to assess the handgrip and pinch strength respectively. The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament and two-point discrimination tests were performed. The patient presented an excellent functional outcome, partial recovery of strength, complete sensory recovery, and minimal donor site morbidity. A radiographic evaluation was also performed, and it demonstrated the preservation of the epiphyseal plate and the growth potential of the transplanted toe. In all aspects, the data observed reinforce the benefits and indications of toe transfer for thumb reconstruction in children.

REPLANTATION OF THE THUMB OR REVISION OF AMPUTATION: AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY.

OBJETIVE: This article presents a retrospective cohort study analyzing patients from IOT-FMUSP who underwent replantation or revision amputation procedures for traumatic thumb amputation between 2013 and 2020. METHODS: The study included 40 patients in the replanted group and 41 patients in the amputed group. The patients were divided according to the level of amputation and their medical records were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients with digital amputation were analyzed, consisting of 79 males and 2 females, with mean ages of 43 and 49 for the amputed and replanted groups, respectively. According to the Biemer classification, 28.4% had proximal amputation, while 71.6% had distal amputation. The most common occupation was bricklayer (19.75%), and 80.24% were manual workers. Of the patients, 65% returned to their previous work, with 77.77% of them having amputation on their non-dominant hand, mostly caused by circular saw accidents (77.77%). The replantation success rate was 78%, with an average ischemia time of 9 hours and door-to-room time of 2 hours. CONCLUSION: the study findings revealed that traumatic thumb amputation predominantly affects working-age males with a low education level and the success rate of replantation was high in this ischemia time and door-to-room conditions. Level of Evidence II, Retrospective study.

OBJETIVO: Este artigo consiste em um corte retrospectivo que analisou vítimas de amputação traumática do polegar submetidas a reimplante ou procedimentos de regularização da amputação no Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medica da Universidade de São Paulo (IOT-FMUSP). Métodos: Foram analisados 40 pacientes reimplantados e 41 pacientes regularizados, que foram separados conforme o nível da amputação e, após, tiveram seus prontuários médicos analisados. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 81 pacientes com amputação digital (79 homens e 2 mulheres), com idade média de 43 anos e 49 anos (Grupo Amputado e Grupo Reimplante, respectivamente) e 28,4% deles tinham amputação proximal, de acordo com a classificação de Biemer, enquanto 71,6% tinham amputação distal. A ocupação mais comum foi a de pedreiro (19,75%), mas 80,24% eram trabalhadores manuais. 65% dos pacientes retornaram ao trabalho anterior. 77,77% dos pacientes afetaram a mão não dominante, e a serra circular causou 77,77% das amputações. A taxa de sucesso para reimplantes foi de 78%. O tempo de isquemia foi de 9 horas e o tempo de porta-quarto foi de 2 horas. Conclusão: O estudo revelou que as taxas de reimplante foram altas nas condições de isquemia e tempo porta-sala, e a maioria dos pacientes vítimas de amputação traumática do polegar são homens em idade de trabalho e com baixa escolaridade. Nível de Evidência II, Estudo retrospectivo.

Replantation of the thumb or revision of amputation: an epidemiological study / Reimplante de polegar ou revisão da amputação: um estudo epidemiológico

ABSTRACT Objetive: This article presents a retrospective cohort study analyzing patients from IOT-FMUSP who underwent replantation or revision amputation procedures for traumatic thumb amputation between 2013 and 2020. Methods: The study included 40 patients in the replanted group and 41 patients in the amputed group. The patients were divided according to the level of amputation and their medical records were analyzed. Results: A total of 81 patients with digital amputation were analyzed, consisting of 79 males and 2 females, with mean ages of 43 and 49 for the amputed and replanted groups, respectively. According to the Biemer classification, 28.4% had proximal amputation, while 71.6% had distal amputation. The most common occupation was bricklayer (19.75%), and 80.24% were manual workers. Of the patients, 65% returned to their previous work, with 77.77% of them having amputation on their non-dominant hand, mostly caused by circular saw accidents (77.77%). The replantation success rate was 78%, with an average ischemia time of 9 hours and door-to-room time of 2 hours. Conclusion: the study findings revealed that traumatic thumb amputation predominantly affects working-age males with a low education level and the success rate of replantation was high in this ischemia time and door-to-room conditions. Level of Evidence II, Retrospective study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este artigo consiste em um corte retrospectivo que analisou vítimas de amputação traumática do polegar submetidas a reimplante ou procedimentos de regularização da amputação no Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medica da Universidade de São Paulo (IOT-FMUSP). Métodos: Foram analisados 40 pacientes reimplantados e 41 pacientes regularizados, que foram separados conforme o nível da amputação e, após, tiveram seus prontuários médicos analisados. Resultados: Foram analisados 81 pacientes com amputação digital (79 homens e 2 mulheres), com idade média de 43 anos e 49 anos (Grupo Amputado e Grupo Reimplante, respectivamente) e 28,4% deles tinham amputação proximal, de acordo com a classificação de Biemer, enquanto 71,6% tinham amputação distal. A ocupação mais comum foi a de pedreiro (19,75%), mas 80,24% eram trabalhadores manuais. 65% dos pacientes retornaram ao trabalho anterior. 77,77% dos pacientes afetaram a mão não dominante, e a serra circular causou 77,77% das amputações. A taxa de sucesso para reimplantes foi de 78%. O tempo de isquemia foi de 9 horas e o tempo de porta-quarto foi de 2 horas. Conclusão: O estudo revelou que as taxas de reimplante foram altas nas condições de isquemia e tempo porta-sala, e a maioria dos pacientes vítimas de amputação traumática do polegar são homens em idade de trabalho e com baixa escolaridade. Nível de Evidência II, Estudo retrospectivo.