Changing Paradigms in the Treatment of Radial Club Hand: Microvascular Joint Transfer for Correction of Radial Deviation and Preservation of Long-term Growth

Radial longitudinal deficiency, also known as radial club hand, is a congenital deformity of the upper extremity which can present with a spectrum of upper limb deficiencies. The typical hand and forearm deformity in such cases consists of significant forearm shortening, radial deviation of the wrist and hypoplasia or absence of a thumb. Treatment goals focus on the creation of stable centralized and functionally hand, maintenance of a mobile and stable wrist and preservation of longitudinal forearm growth. Historically centralization procedures have been the most common treatment method for this condition; unfortunately centralization procedures are associated with a high recurrence rate and have the potential for injury to the distal ulnar physis resulting in a further decrease in forearm growth. Here we advocate for the use of a vascularized second metatarsophalangeal joint transfer for stabilization of the carpus and prevention of recurrent radial deformity and subluxation of the wrist. This technique was originally described by the senior author in 1992 and he has subsequently been performed in 24 cases with an average of 11-year follow-up. In this paper we present an overview of the technique and review the expected outcomes for this method of treatment of radial longitudinal deficiency.

Changing Paradigms in the Treatment of Radial Club Hand: Microvascular Joint Transfer for Correction of Radial Deviation and Preservation of Long-term Growth

Radial longitudinal deficiency, also known as radial club hand, is a congenital deformity of the upper extremity which can present with a spectrum of upper limb deficiencies. The typical hand and forearm deformity in such cases consists of significant forearm shortening, radial deviation of the wrist and hypoplasia or absence of a thumb. Treatment goals focus on the creation of stable centralized and functionally hand, maintenance of a mobile and stable wrist and preservation of longitudinal forearm growth. Historically centralization procedures have been the most common treatment method for this condition; unfortunately centralization procedures are associated with a high recurrence rate and have the potential for injury to the distal ulnar physis resulting in a further decrease in forearm growth. Here we advocate for the use of a vascularized second metatarsophalangeal joint transfer for stabilization of the carpus and prevention of recurrent radial deformity and subluxation of the wrist. This technique was originally described by the senior author in 1992 and he has subsequently been performed in 24 cases with an average of 11-year follow-up. In this paper we present an overview of the technique and review the expected outcomes for this method of treatment of radial longitudinal deficiency.

Compound flaps of foot with joint transplantation bridging severed thumbs and fingers / 中华显微外科杂志

ObjectiveTo report the methods and clinical efficacy of bridging severed thumbs and fingers with foot joint compound flaps.Methods Ten patients with completely amputated thumbs and fingers with extensive defects in the proximal phalanx had bridged and repaired by using composite-free flap with joints from foot. Three of 4 cases of thumb amputation were repaired by using composite flaps of the second metatarsophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints in foot,and the other was used composite flap of the second metatarsophalangeal joints in foot.Donor sites underwent the second metatarsals distal osteotomy associated with free skin graft. And 6 cases with absent fingers by using composite-free flaps of the proximal interphalangeal joint to repair. The donor site in foot underwent metatarsophalangeal and toe joints osteotomy.ResultsAll flaps and replanted thumbs and fingers survived. Hand wounds recovered by primary repair.Donor site in foot all healed by primary repair except for 1 case,which healed after several dressing changes.All 10 cases were followed-up from 6 to 28 months,averaged of 9 months.The metacarpophalangeal joint of 4 replanted thumbs extension between -10° and 0°,and flexion between 20° and 50°.The function of fullfield digital mammography recovered well in 3 replanted thumbs, as well as the function of thumb-middle in the other. Three of them could completely 2-5 fingers tapping,one case could complete middle finger tapping,four cases could complete radial abduction.The proximal interphalangeal joints of 6 replanted fingers extension between -10° and 0°,and flexion between 30° and 90°,averaged of 50°.Sensory recovery of 1 case reached S4,two cases reached S3+,five cases reached S3,and 2 cases of S2.All replanted bones and joints healed after transplantations(bone healing time was 6 to 16 weeks), with no occurrence of re-fracture nor nonunion. Walking function was not significantly affected. According to the evaluation criteria of replanted severed fingers by Chinese Medical Association,one was excellent,eight were good,and 1 was poor.The excellent and good rate was 90％. Conclusion Repairing amputated thumbs and fingers with foot joint compound flaps could not only maximize the recovery of replanted fingers shape,but also get some function,which to meet everyday needs of patients.

Reconstruction of finger joints using the proximal interphalangeal joint of the second toe / 中华显微外科杂志

@#Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of repair of thumb joints using the proximal interphalangeal joint of the second toe. Methods Proximal interphalangeal joint grafts of the second toe with vascular anastomosis were used to repair 54 fingers defects in 49 cases, including reconstruction of metacarpophalangeal joints in 21 fingers,proximal interphaiangeal joints in 28 fingers and distal interphaiangeal joints in 5 fingers, amounting to 38 fingers of entire joint transplantation and 16 fingers of semi-joint transplantation. An assessment was made for the clinical efficacy after the reconstruction. Results All 54 grafted joints in 49 cases survived. Primary postoperative healing was achieved. Followed-up from 6 to 19 months, all grafted joints clinically healed within 4 to 8 weeks. The bone healing time was 6 to 12 weeks. Degeneration of grafted joints was absent. Neither nonunion nor re-fracture was observed. The postoperative flexion activity range of proximal interphalangeal joints was 35°-90°, averaged 65°; the flexion range of metacarpophalangeal joints was 30°-75°, averaged 45°; the flexion range of distal interphalangeal joints was 25°-65°, averaged 35°. According to the joint activity criteria TAM / TAF, there were 23 grafted fingers of excellence, 25 of satisfaction, 5 of average and 3 of poor recovery. Favorable grafts accounted for 84 percent. Best efficacy was evidenced in proximal interphalangeal joint grafts, followed by metacarpophalengeal ones,whereas distal interphalangeal transplantation provided poorer outcomes. Conclusion Repair of thumb joint defects using proximal interphalangeal joint grafts of the second toe free enables favorable functional recovery and satisfying improvement of joint activities.

The changes of the blood sugar and the ?、? cells secretion function in a type 1 diabetic patient after pancreas-kidney joint-transplantation / 中国糖尿病杂志

Objective To evaluate the recovery of ? and ? cells secretion function and the effects on the blood sugar after the operation. By the comparison of the blood sugar,C peptide and the glucagon levels in the late type 1 diabetic patient with nephropathy before and after pancreas-kidney joint-transplantation. Methods Measuring and comparing the blood sugar,C peptide and glucagon, so as to assess the therapeutic effect of operations. Performing the insulin releasing test and glucose tolerance test on the 180th day after operation to acquaint the recovery of diabetes and the secretion function of ? cells. Results We found that before operation the patient's C peptide level was?obviously lower than normal,but the glucagon level was higher than normal. The blood sugar remained at higher level even then larger dose of insulin was applied. On the first day after operation, the C peptide secretion began to increase obviously and nearly exceeded normal level;the secretion of glucagon almost decreased to half of the preoperative level,but 30 days later,it decreased to normal; the blood sugar decreased to normal on the 7th day after operation. On the 20th day,the application of insulin were stopped, but within 240 days the blood sugar remained in normal range; 180 day after operation, the results of glucose tolerance tests and insulin releasing tests all remained normal. Conclusion The pancreas-kidney joint transplantation could improve the kidney function of the patient suffered from type 1 diabetic nephropathy,as well as treat diabetes by enhancing the secretion function of the pancreas ? cell. Pancreas-kidney joint-tranplantation is the best method to cure the nephropathy of late type 1 diabetes.

A Case Report of Living Transplantation for Post-traumatic Ankylosis of 2nd M-P Joint of the Hand / 대한정형외과학회잡지

In general, arthroplasty in the hand is divided into three categories, namely fusion, soft tissue arthroplasty and interpositional arthroplasy, each of that having some problems and limited indications. Frequently orthopedic surgeons fall into difficulties in deciding the treatment for the ankylosed joints of the hand in young adults. We now report a case of living joint transplantation from the M-P joint of 2nd toe for post-traumatic ankylosis of that of index finger. The follow-up shows improved range of motion and good pain relief.

Free Vascularized Bone and Joint Transplantaion Using Microsurgery / 대한정형외과학회잡지

We have experienced 11 cases of large bony defect that were treated using microsurgery since 1981. Free vascularized bone transplantation was performed in 8 of them, vascularized bone transposition in 2 cases, and free vascularized joint transplantation in the remaining 1 case. The causes of the large bony defect were primary bone tumor (4 cases), congenital pseudoarthrosis (3 cases), open comminuted fracture (2 cases), sequela of osteomyelitis (1 case), and post-traumatic ankylosis of PIP joint of second finger (1 case). As a donor, fibula was used in 8 cases, iliac crest in 1 case, rib in 1 case and in the remaining 1 case, the second M-P joint of foot was transplanted. In 9 of 11 cases, successful result was obtained and 2 cases were failed because of vascular damage following tibial lengthening in one case and infection on the grafted area in the other one. From the above data and review of articles, following conclusions were obtained. 1. Fibula is thought to be the most appropriate donor for the large bony defect in the extremity, especially in lower extremity, but the donor site must be determined according to the anatomical and physilogical condition of the patient. 2. After mechanical lengthening of the extremity, it is recommened to perform the microvascular surgery after sufficient time for the recovery of vascular damage. But further studies are required for the identification of the change in the vascular tissue following stretching and its recovery time. 3. Progression of the ossification in the epiphysis of transplanted iliac crest was observed and this finding proposed us the idea that the epiphyseal plate injury or leg length discrepancy will be able to be treated with free vascularized epiphyseal plate transplantation and the reconstruction of the destroyed joint of growing children will be possible using free vascularized joint transplantation. 4. As the technique become more popular, the free vascularized bone transplantation is being used for the reconstruction of the extremity more frequently, but it seems to be wise to restrict its indication to cases which are impossible to be treated with more simple methods such as vascularized bone transposition or pedicled bone graft.