Comparative analysis of scaphoid nonunion treatment with screw fixation and angular stable plate

INTRODUCTION

Scaphoid fractures represent 5-10% of nonunion rate and the treatment options consist of an open reduction with correction of deformity, restoration of the scaphoid length with autologous wedge grafting and fixation. However, there is still no consensus in the literature on the best fixation method. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to compare plate fixation and screw fixation in treating scaphoid nonunion with humpback deformity and carpal instability.

METHODS

Prospective, non-randomised study comparing the treatment of two groups of patients with scaphoid nonunion. A total of 19 patients were included in the study, the first ten patients were included in group 1 (plate fixation), subsequently nine patients were included in group 2 (screw fixation). The nonunion duration was longer than 6 months and patients did not present type III Scaphoid Nonunion Advanced Collapse (SNAC). Clinical evaluations included pain intensity, range of motion, grip strength, pinch test and functional scales Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Mayo Wrist Score. Radiographic evaluations consisted of radiographs of both wrists in AP, AP with ulnar deviation, lateral and oblique views. Patients further underwent a tomography of the affected wrist for bone deformity, carpal collapse and later consolidation evaluation.

RESULTS

According to post-operative measurements, group 1 showed a significant improvement in the scapholunate angle (p = 0.011) and in the intrascaphoid angle (p = 0.002). Group 2 only showed an improvement in the scapholunate angle (p = 0.011). All patients in group 1 achieved consolidation in 8 weeks, while group 2 patients had a slower consolidation, with a mean of 14 weeks and standard deviation (SD) of 4.2, with statistical significance (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Our prospective study, despite the limitations, contributes to the literature for demonstrating a better fixation using plate, with a better correction of humpback deformity and Dorsal Intercalated Segment Instability (DISI) and a faster consolidation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II, therapeutics studies; prospective comparative study.

Transferência do segundo dedo do pé para tratamento de amputação traumática do polegar em uma criança de 4 anos: Relato de caso

A transferência microcirúrgica do dedo do pé para a reconstrução do polegar é um procedimento desafiador, considerando-se a habilidade técnica necessária para realizá-la e a difícil avaliação pós-operatória dos aspectos estéticos e funcionais. Este é um relato do caso de uma criança de 3 anos que sofreu uma amputação traumática do polegar. A reconstrução do polegar foi realizada por meio de transferência microcirúrgica do dedo do pé, meses após a falha do reimplante. Uma avaliação subjetiva e outra objetiva dos resultados foram realizadas cinco anos após o procedimento. O resultado funcional foi avaliado por meio do Questionário de Avaliação da Saúde na Infância (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire, CHAQ, em inglês) e o Teste Funcional da Mão de Jebsen-Taylor (Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, JTHFT, em inglês). Foram usados o dinamômetro Jamar (Sammons Preston, Bolingbrook, IL, EUA) e os instrumentos de medição Jamar Pinch Gauge (Sammons Preston) para avaliar as forças de preensão palmar e de pinças, respectivamente. Foram realizados os testes de monofilamento e de discriminação de dois pontos de Semmes-Weinstein. O paciente apresentou excelente resultado funcional, recuperação parcial da força, recuperação sensitiva completa, e mínima morbidade do sítio doador. Foi realizada também uma avaliação radiográfica, que demonstrou a preservação da placa epifisária e do potencial de crescimento no dedo do pé transplantado. Em todos os aspectos, os dados observados reforçam os benefícios e as indicações da transferência do dedo do pé para a reconstrução do polegar em crianças.

Do technical components of microanastomoses influence the functional outcome of free gracilis muscle transfer for elbow flexion in traumatic brachial plexus injury?

INTRODUCTION

The traumatic lesions of the brachial plexus in adults are devastating injuries causing continuous severe functional impairment for both work and daily living activities. The restoration of elbow flexion is one of the most important movements for patient recovery to previous activities. Free gracilis muscle transfer has good outcomes for cases with late presentation or as a rescue surgery to regain elbow flexion, however, bad results are present in all cohorts with insufficient recovery of muscle strength for elbow flexion. A number of hypotheses can be postulate to explain the fair results observed in some cases of free gracilis muscle transfer for elbow flexion. Most studies in the current literature compare the choice of the donor nerve used in neurotization and nerve grafts. The aim of this study is to evaluate if technical components of microvascular anastomosis could influence the functional outcome of free functional muscle transfer for elbow flexion in adult patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Included all adult patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury submitted to free functional gracilis muscle transfer for elbow flexion. The complications and functional results according to British Medical Research Council (BMRC) score were recorded.

RESULTS

We assessed 26 patients with mean age of 32.8 years. The most common donor nerve for gracilis muscle was the accessory nerve in 18 patients. Eighteen patients presented with good result (M3/M4). The mean ischemia time was higher for patients with bad results (132 minutes) comparing with patients with good results (122 minutes). Patients with only one venous anastomosis had 41% of poor functional outcome compared with 22% of cases with two venous anastomoses. No statistically significant difference in the ischemia time of the cases with good or poor functional outcome was observed (p=0.657), as for the number of venous anastomoses (p=0.418).

CONCLUSION

Our study observes that patients with only one venous anastomoses for drainage of free gracilis and those with longer intraoperative ischemia time had higher incidence of poor functional outcome of free gracilis muscle transfer for elbow flexion, but not statistically significant.

LEVEL OF PROOF

II; prospective cross-sectional study.

IS OBESITY A RISK FACTOR FOR FREE VASCULARIZED FIBULAR FLAP COMPLICATIONS?

Objective:

Although our knowledge of bone reconstruction through microsurgery has increased, the vascularized fibula flap remains one of the most difficult free flap reconstructions to perform, and complications remain a challenge. The incidence of obesity is increasing and is associated with higher rates of free flap complications, which can lead to disastrous results. Since there is no consensus in literature regarding the influence of obesity on free flap outcomes in orthopedic surgeries that require segmental bone reconstruction, the objective of this study was to determine whether obesity increases the risk of post-operative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III) after free vascularized fibular flap surgery.

Methods:

A cohort study was conducted in all patients undergoing free flap limb reconstructions between July 2014 and July 2018. Patients were separated in two groups based on their body mass index (BMI): non-obese and obese (BMI≥30 kg/m²).

Results:

Twenty-three free vascularized fibular flaps were studied. The indications included trauma in 13, tumors in 7, and congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in 3. Obese patients were associated with an increase in surgical complications (p=0.038). During the final follow-up, consolidation was obtained in 17 patients (74%).

Conclusion:

Obesity is a risk factor for complications in free vascularized fibular flap surgery. Level of evidence IV, original article.

TREATMENT OF SCHAPHOID NONUNION WITH VOLAR LOCKED PLATE

Objective:

To assess and compare radiographic, tomographic and functional pre and postoperative parameters of patients submitted to treatment of nonunion of the scaphoid waist with locked plate for scaphoid.

Methods:

This is a case series of scaphoid waist nonunion, operated from March 2017 to March 2018 at the Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of HCFMUSP, using the technique of Fisk-Fernandez and osteosynthesis with locked plate for scaphoid APTUS®Hand from Medartis. The patients were submitted to radiographs, computed tomography and functional evaluation by the occupational therapy team in the pre and postoperative periods.

Results:

There was consolidation of the scaphoid waist nonunion in all cases, improvement in the parameters of carpal alignment in the imaging examinations, but functionally we observed reduction of the range of motion and grip strength in relation to the contralateral limb.

Conclusions:

The treatment of the scaphoid waist nonunion with locked plate was effective, with a high index of consolidation and improvement of the carpal alignment in the imaging tests, although with a reduction in the range of motion and grip strength in relation to the contralateral limb when evaluated with 12 weeks postoperatively. Level of Evidence IV, Case series.

Avaliação do posicionamento de parafusos subcondrais utilizados em placas para tratamento das fraturas distais do rádio

As fraturas distais do rádio são as mais freqüentes do membro superior. São classificadas em estáveis e instáveis. As instáveis requerem tratamento cirúrgico. Não está definido na literatura qual o melhor método de fixação, mas existe atualmente uma tendência à utilização das placas com parafusos bloqueados. Um dos aspectos técnicos importantes é o posicionamento dos parafusos distais junto ao osso subcondral, proporcionando suporte mais adequado. A avaliação da localização desses parafusos é feita com radioscopia e radiografias, mas freqüentemente existem dúvidas quanto ao correto posicionamento. Os objetivos deste estudo são: avaliar se é possível determinar com precisão por meio de radiografias, a localização dos parafusos distais no rádio e se a experiência do avaliadorinfluencia nesta análise. Foram utilizados punhos de cadáveres. Cada rádio recebeu três parafusos junto à superfície articular distal. Por meio de incidências radiográficas clássicas e anguladas, médicos especialistas e não-especialistas em cirurgia da mão avaliaram a posição de cada parafuso, se intra ou extra-articular. Os índices de acerto foram submetidos à análise estatística.As radiografias provaram ainda ser um bom método de avaliação, não havendo melhora da precisão na localização dos parafusos com as incidências anguladas. A experiência profissional do avaliador não teve influência nos resultados.