Median Sternotomy for the Management of Life-Threatening Bleeding Resulting from Proximal Upper Extremity Amputation

It is extremely difficult to achieve hemostasis in the case of proximal amputation of major limbs, and especially in the case of a proximal upper arm amputation, which is adjacent to the axilla. A 30-year-old male sustained a traumatic proximal left upper extremity amputation resulting in hypovolemic shock. A median sternotomy was performed to clamp the left subclavian artery. The completely transected brachial artery was reconstructed with an artificial vascular graft and the transected nerves were repaired. With simultaneous rehabilitation, the patient recovered from the hypovolemic shock and ischemic injury of the arm. Performing a median sternotomy for proximal clamping of the transected artery allowed control of the bleeding which could not be controlled by a pressure cuff. This procedure may be considered a safe and effective surgical option for patients with traumatic proximal upper extremity amputation.

Median Sternotomy for the Management of Life-Threatening Bleeding Resulting from Proximal Upper Extremity Amputation

It is extremely difficult to achieve hemostasis in the case of proximal amputation of major limbs, and especially in the case of a proximal upper arm amputation, which is adjacent to the axilla. A 30-year-old male sustained a traumatic proximal left upper extremity amputation resulting in hypovolemic shock. A median sternotomy was performed to clamp the left subclavian artery. The completely transected brachial artery was reconstructed with an artificial vascular graft and the transected nerves were repaired. With simultaneous rehabilitation, the patient recovered from the hypovolemic shock and ischemic injury of the arm. Performing a median sternotomy for proximal clamping of the transected artery allowed control of the bleeding which could not be controlled by a pressure cuff. This procedure may be considered a safe and effective surgical option for patients with traumatic proximal upper extremity amputation.

Early and Delayed Postoperative Rehabilitation after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Comparative Study of Clinical Outcomes

BACKGROUND@#The duration of immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and the optimal time to commence rehabilitation are still the subject of ongoing debates. This study was undertaken to evaluate the functional outcome and rotator cuff healing status after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by comparing early and delayed rehabilitation.@*METHODS@#Totally, 76 patients with small, medium, and large sized rotator cuff tears underwent arthroscopic repair using the suture-bridge technique. In early rehabilitation group, 38 patients commenced passive range of motion at postoperative day 2 whereas 38 patients assigned to the delayed rehabilitation group commenced passive range of motion at postoperative week 3. At the end of the study period, clinical and functional evaluations (Constant score, the University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA] shoulder score) were carried out, subsequent to measuring the range of motion, visual analogue scale for pain, and isokinetic dynamometer test. Rotator cuff healing was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging at least 6 months after surgery.@*RESULTS@#No significant difference was obtained in range of motion and visual analogue scale between both groups. Functional outcomes showed similar improvements in the Constant score (early: 67.0–88.0; delayed: 66.9–91.0; p<0.001) and the UCLA shoulder score (early: 20.3–32.3; delayed: 20.4–32.4; p<0.001). Furthermore, rotator cuff healing showed no significant differences between the groups (range, 6–15 months; average, 10.4 months).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Delayed passive rehabilitation does not bring about superior outcomes. Therefore, early rehabilitation would be useful to help patients resume their daily lives.

Treatment of Large and Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Does Infraspinatus Muscle Tear Affect Repair Integrity?

BACKGROUND@#Clinical outcomes and prognosis of large and massive rotator cuff tears are known to be unpredictable not only in degeneration of the rotator cuff, but also due to a high rate of retear.@*METHODS@#Totally, 81 patients who had undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from May 2008 to February 2016 were evaluated in our study. Clinical and functional evaluations were performed with the Constant score and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, as well as full physical examination of the shoulder. All patients were confirmed to have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tendon healing at least 1 year postoperatively.@*RESULTS@#The average age at the time of surgery was 65 years (range, 47–78 years). The average duration of postoperative time in which a follow-up MRI was performed was 36.1 months (range, 12–110 months). Large tears were present in 48 cases (59.3%) and massive tears in 33 cases (40.7%). Overall, there were 33 retear cases (40.7%). All the average clinical outcome scores were significantly improved at the last follow-up (p<0.001), although repair integrity was not maintained. Compared to type A, types C, and D of the Collin's classification showed significantly higher retear rates (p=0.036).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair yields improved clinical outcomes and a relatively high degree of patient satisfaction, despite the repair integrity not being maintained. Involvement of the subscapularis muscle or infraspinatus muscle had no effect on the retear rate.

Very Rapidly Progressive Shoulder Arthropathy with Complete Destruction of the Humeral Head

Milwaukee shoulder syndrome (MSS) is a rare disease in which joints are destroyed and occurs mainly in elderly women. We describe rapidly progressive MSS with complete destruction of the shoulder joint within 2 months. An 80-year-old woman visited the outpatient clinic with shoulder pain for 2 weeks. rotator cuff tear arthropathy was diagnosed, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed. Two months later, her shoulder pain worsened without trauma. Shoulder swelling and tenderness, and arm lifting inability were observed. Complete humeral head disruption was observed by radiography. We diagnosed MSS based on the presence of serohematic and noninflammatory joint effusion, periarticular calcific deposits, and rapid joint destruction, and initiated conservative treatment. When initially treating elderly patients with shoulder arthropathy, it is advisable to perform short-term follow-up and to consider the possibility of crystal-induced arthropathy.

Mini-open Treatment Using Plate of Clavicle Mid-shaft Fractures

BACKGROUND: Increased frequency of comminuted clavicle mid-shaft fractures and importance of functional satisfaction through early joint exercise has resulted in higher emphasis on surgical treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical radiological results of treatment of clavicle mid-shaft fractures by open reduction and internal fixation using a plate with a small incision. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 80 clavicle mid-shaft fracture cases treated with internal fixation using a plate from October 2010 to July 2014. Clavicle mid-shaft fractures were internally fixated using anatomical plates or locking compression plates. Achievement of bone union, union period, and clavicle length shortening were evaluated radiologically, and clinical assessment was done by using Constant and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scores. RESULTS: All 80 cases were confirmed to have achieved bone union through radiographs with an average union period of 10.9 weeks (range: 7–18 weeks). The average clavicle length of shortening in the affected side was 1.8 mm (range: 0–17 mm). The average UCLA score and Constant score were 33.6 (range: 25–35) and 92.5 (range: 65–100), respectively. Regarding complications, four cases reported skin irritation by metal plates, and one case reported a screw insertion site fracture due to minor trauma history. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to induce successful bone union and obtain clinically satisfactory results in displaced mid-shaft fractures of the clavicle without major complications such as nonunion through treatment of internal fixation using a plate.

Mini-open Treatment Using Plate of Clavicle Mid-shaft Fractures

BACKGROUND: Increased frequency of comminuted clavicle mid-shaft fractures and importance of functional satisfaction through early joint exercise has resulted in higher emphasis on surgical treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical radiological results of treatment of clavicle mid-shaft fractures by open reduction and internal fixation using a plate with a small incision. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 80 clavicle mid-shaft fracture cases treated with internal fixation using a plate from October 2010 to July 2014. Clavicle mid-shaft fractures were internally fixated using anatomical plates or locking compression plates. Achievement of bone union, union period, and clavicle length shortening were evaluated radiologically, and clinical assessment was done by using Constant and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scores. RESULTS: All 80 cases were confirmed to have achieved bone union through radiographs with an average union period of 10.9 weeks (range: 7–18 weeks). The average clavicle length of shortening in the affected side was 1.8 mm (range: 0–17 mm). The average UCLA score and Constant score were 33.6 (range: 25–35) and 92.5 (range: 65–100), respectively. Regarding complications, four cases reported skin irritation by metal plates, and one case reported a screw insertion site fracture due to minor trauma history. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to induce successful bone union and obtain clinically satisfactory results in displaced mid-shaft fractures of the clavicle without major complications such as nonunion through treatment of internal fixation using a plate.