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Objective:To analyze the necessity of anastomosis of the cutaneous nerve by comparing anterolateral femoral flaps with versus without anastomosis of the anterolateral femoral cutaneous nerve in the repair of extremity soft tissue defects.Methods:A retrospective analysis was made of the clinical data of 30 patients with extremity soft tissue defects who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedics, The Sixth People＇s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from September 2019 to March 2022. The patients were assigned into 2 groups according to whether the anterolateral femoral cutaneous nerve was anastomosed or not in the repair of extremity soft tissue defects using anterolateral femoral flaps. In the anastomosis groups of 14 cases, there were 7 males and 7 females, with an age of (46.4±15.2) years and a flap size of (22.4±7.3) cm×(8.5±1.3) cm. In the non-anastomosis group of 16 cases, there were 11 males and 5 females, with an age of (39.9±15.8) years and a flap size of (23.0±6.4) cm×(9.0±2.1) cm. The 2 groups were compared in terms of flap survival, Semmes-Weinstein recovery degree and area of monofilament tactile sensation, and time periods for temperature sensation and two-point discrimination.Results:There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the preoperative general data, showing they were comparable ( P>0.05). All the flaps survived completely without vascular crisis. In the anastomosis group, the time periods required for Semmes-Weinstein recovery of monofilament tactile sensation to the areas of 20.0%, 50.0%, and 80.0% [(2.5±0.7) months, (6.7±1.1) months, and (11.0±1.2) months] were significantly shorter than those in the non-anastomosis group [(3.6±1.3) months, (8.6±1.4) months, and (15.0±2.2) months], the recovery area at the last follow-up [100.0% (100.0%, 100.0%)] was significantly larger than that in the non-anastomosis group [84.6% (81.7%, 89.9%)], and the time period for recovery of temperature sensation [(3.9±0.7) months] significantly shorter than that in the non-anastomosis group [(6.1±1.1) months] (all P<0.05). The time for recovery of two-point discrimination in the 14 patients in the anastomosis group was (10.4±1.7) months while only 7 of the 16 patients in the non-anastomosis group recovered two-point discrimination after (14.7±1.4) months, showing a significant difference between the 2 groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In the repair of extremity soft tissue defects using anterolateral femoral flaps, compared with no anastomosis of the cutaneous nerve, anastomosis of the anterolateral femoral cutaneous nerve may ensure more or less the sensory recovery of the flaps.
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Objective To evaluate the outcomes of internal fixation combined with bone grafting in the treatment of distal humeral nonunion.Methods This retrospective study included 48 patients who had undergone internal fixation combined with iliac bone grafting for distal humeral nonunion between January 2011 and December 2015 at Department of Orthopedic Surgery,The Sixth People's Hospital of Shanghai.They were 31 males and 17 females,with a mean age of 35.4 years (from 22 to 49 years).The outcomes were evaluated by clinical examination,X-ray film,Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) during follow-up.Results All the 48 patients were followed up for 18 to 60 months (mean,36 months).No wound-related complications were reported in this cohort.Solid bone union was achieved at 3 to 8 months (mean,4.2 months) after surgery.At the last follow-up,the range of elbow flexion-extension was improved from preoperative 66° to 101°,and the ranges of pronation and supination were enhanced from 65° and 45° preoperatively to 82° and 75°,respectively.The MEPS increased from 54 points preoperatively to 82 points postoperatively.The results were excellent in 26,good in 16 and fair in 6 cases (with an excellent to good rate of 87.5％).The VAS decreased from 4.5 points preoperatively to 1.2 points postoperatively,indicating notable relief of the elbow pain due to distal humeral nonunion.Follow-ups revealed no ulnar nerve injury,nonunion,heterotopic ossification,implant loosening or breakage,or instability of the elbow joint.Conclusion Internal fixation combined with bone grafting is reliable in treatment of distal humeral nonunion,leading to satisfactory outcomes.
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Objective To evaluate the outcomes of distraction osteogenesis with mini external fixation in management of metacarpophalangeal bone defects after hand trauma.Methods From June 2010 to December 2015,16 patients with metacarpophalangeal bone defects after hand trauma received distraction osteogenesis at our department.They were 11 men and 5 women,from 20 to 45 years of age (average,32.5 years).There were altogether 20 bone defects:8 cases had single metacarpal bone defect,2 unilateral second and third metacarpal bone defects and 6 phalangeal shortening after repair of digital stump (involving thumb in 4 cases,index finger in one and index and middle fingers in one).The metacarpophalangeal bone defects averaged 1.8 cm (from 1.0 to 3.1 cm).Under the fluoroscopic guide,4 or 6 mini half-pins in one line were directly drilled into the dorsal aspect of the involved metacarpophalangeal bone before the Orthofix fixator was mounted.The proximal (18 digits) or distal (2 digits) osteotomy between the second and third pinholes was performed via the dorsal approach,The external fixator and pins were removed without anesthesia after callus maturation.Results Average follow-up period was 12.2 months (range,from 9 to 26 months).All the metacarpal bone defects were reconstructed and all the phalangeal shortenings were lengthened;the bony callus was completely calcified at the lengthened part.The mean lengthening was 1.9 cm (from 1.0 to 3.1 cm);the percentage of lengthening ranged from 26％ to 51％ (average,34％).The bone lengthening index (time cost by average 1 cm) was 70.9 d/cm (from 60.0 to 87.1 d/cm).According to the Tentative Assessment Criteria for Upper Extremity Function by Hand Surgery Society,Chinese Medical Association,the total activity of motion (TAM) was excellent in 13 cases,good in 4,fair in 2,and poor in one,yielding an excellent to good rate of 85.0％.Conclusion Distraction lengthening using mini external fixation is a valid option with a minor rate of complications which allows for early functional exercise to help restore the appearance and function of the affected fingers.
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Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of local administration of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) on bone regeneration in a distraction osteogenesis model of rat fenur.Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into groups A,B and C in this study.A distraction osteogenesis model was established in the left femur after osteotomy.At the end of distraction period,the bone regeneration area in group A was subjected to no treatment,that in group B to injection of phosphate buffer saline (PBS),and that in group C to injection of Tβ4.On days 22,29 and 43 postoperatively,the rats from each group were randomly sacrificed and processed for observation of bone regeneration in the distraction osteogenesis area using radiography,Micro-CT,histology and immunohistochemical staining.RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of related genes as well.Results Radiography revealed that the bone regeneration in group C was superior to that in groups A and B on days 22,29 and 43 postoperatively.Micro-CT examination showed significantly increased bone volume (BV),bone mineral density (BMD) and ratio of bone volume to tissue volume (BV/TV) in group C on days 22,29 and 43 postoperatively,and significantly decreased ratio of bone surface area to bone volume on postoperative day 43 in comparison with groups A and B(P ＜ 0.05).HE staining indicated that local capillary density was significantly higher in group C than in groups A and B after local administration of Tβ4 in the distraction osteogenesis.Immunohistochemical staining showed that the capillary density and osteoblasts in group C were higher than in groups A and B.RT-PCR results revealed significantly higher expression of eNOS and Osterix mRNA in the local callus in group C on postoperative day 22 than in groups A and group B (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Local administration of thymosin β4 may promote bone formation,which is probably related to the increased expression of eNOS and Osterix.