Prospective assessment of function and cold-intolerance following revascularization for hypothenar hammer syndrome

Surgical Treatment of True Arterial Aneurysms of the Hand: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The present study evaluated the clinical features and safety of surgical strategies and treatments for true arterial aneurysms of the hand.

METHODS

A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL databases for clinical trials, case series, and case reports investigating true arterial aneurysms of the hand, published over the past 10 years, was performed. The inclusion criterion was surgical excision of arterial aneurysm, followed by arterial revascularization or ligation. Studies addressing pseudoaneurysms, mycotic aneurysms, conservative treatment, or no treatment were excluded. Summary level data regarding study characteristics and outcomes of amputation, neurological symptoms, number of preoperative vascular imaging examinations, and length of hospital stay were extracted.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies comprising 48 patients (mean [±standard deviation] age, 41.1 ± 22 years [range 0.5-80 years]; 39 [81.25%] male) were included. Thirty (62.5%) patients underwent only 1 preoperative examination and traumatic etiology was observed in 52.1% (n = 25). The most prevalent intervention was aneurysm excision, followed by arterial revascularization (n = 35 [72.9%]), with no amputations. Neurological symptoms were present in 8 (16.6%) subjects, with no difference between the revascularization and arterial ligation groups (odds ratio 3.36 [95% confidence interval 0.37-30.5]). The mean length of hospital stay was 1.44 days (range 0-4 days), with no difference between revascularization and arterial ligation (odds ratio 2.5 (95% confidence interval 0.10-62.6)).

CONCLUSIONS

This review did not find amputation rate outcomes associated with either technique, although similar neurological outcomes were observed. Nevertheless, the retrieved data were limited to those ensuring the safety of both procedures.

State of the art review: The management of chronic vascular disorders in the hand and upper limb

This review article summarizes the basic principles of vascular anatomy, physiology, diagnostic work-up and treatment for patients with nontraumatic upper extremity vascular disorders. Vascular disorders can be considered vasospastic or occlusive. The most commonly encountered vasospastic condition is Raynaud's Phenomenon secondary to scleroderma. While historically this has been managed medically with vasodilators, more advanced cases can benefit from surgical treatment to improve blood flow and minimize tissue loss, with compelling evidence that earlier surgical intervention can modify disease process and should be considered. Occlusive disease can present as aneurysm or thrombosis and often requires surgical treatment with resection of the occluded segment with or without vascular reconstruction. In advanced atherosclerotic disease or end stage ischemia, arterialization of the venous system can be considered to avoid more proximal amputations.

Endovascular Thrombolysis in Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Hypothenar hammer syndrome (HHS) is a rare vascular disease caused by blunt trauma of the hypothenar region. The optimal therapeutic strategy remains debatably since no large comparative studies are available yet. We want to evaluate the effectiveness of intra-arterial thrombolysis on angiographic and clinical outcome parameters in patients with HHS by performing a systematic review of the existing literature.

Methods: A literature search of PUBMED/MEDLINE and SCIENCE DIRECT databases was performed up to May 2021.

Results: In total, 16 manuscripts with 43 patients were included in the systematic review. Intra-arterial thrombolysis led to angiographic improvement in 29 patients (67.4%) and to clinical improvement in 34 patients (79.1%). Deterioration of arterial perfusion or clinical symptoms after thrombolysis were absent. Post-interventional complications were reported in only one patient (2.3%) without any bleeding complication. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that a combined administration of fibrinolytics and heparin was associated with a significantly improved arterial patency [OR 12.57 (95% CI 2.48–97.8), p = 0.005] without significant amelioration of clinical symptoms [OR 3.20 (95% CI 0.6–18.9), p = 0.172]. The use of rt-PA compared to other fibrinolytics and a prolonged thrombolysis duration of more than 24 h did not show statistically significant effects. Intra-arterial thrombolysis was significantly less effective in patients who had undergone thrombolysis with a delay of more than 30 days regarding clinical improvement [OR 0.07 (95% CI 0.00–0.54), p = 0.024].

Conclusions: Intra-arterial thrombolysis with a combination of fibrinolytics and heparin is an effective and safe therapeutic option in patients with acute HHS.