Evaluations of Repaired Artery Patency in Forearm Wounds Using the Allen Test, Handheld Doppler and Doppler Ultrasonography / Avaliações do lúmen da artéria reparada em lesões do antebraço usando o teste de Allen, Doppler portátil e ultrassonografia com Doppler

Abstract Objective The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the rate of patency in the postoperative period of arterial injuries of the forearm secondary to penetrating trauma. The injuries were subjected to primary repair and examined with the Allen test and a handheld Doppler device, and the results were later confirmed with Doppler ultrasonography. Methods Eighteen patients were included, with a total of 19 arterial lesions, 14 ulnar lesions, and 5 radial lesions; one patient had lesions on both forearms. All patients underwent surgery and three clinical evaluations: the Allen test and assessment of arterial blood flow by a handheld Doppler device at 4 and 16 weeks after surgery and Doppler ultrasonography performed at 12 weeks after surgery. Results At the first clinical evaluation, 77% of the patients had patency based on the Allen test, and 72% had a pulsatile sound identified by the handheld Doppler device. In the second evaluation, 61% of the patients had patency based on the Allen test, and the rate of pulsatile sound by the handheld Doppler device was 72%, similar to that observed 2 months earlier. Based on the Doppler ultrasonography evaluation (~12 weeks after surgery), the success rate for arteriorrhaphy was 88%. Regarding the final patency (Doppler ultrasonography evaluation) and trauma mechanism, all patients with penetrating trauma had patent arteries. Conclusion We cde that clinical evaluation using a handheld Doppler device and the Allen test is reliable when a patent artery can be palpated. However, if a patent artery cannot be located during a clinical examination, ultrasonography may be required.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a taxa de perviedade pós-operatória de lesões arteriais do antebraço secundárias a traumatismo penetrante. As lesões foram submetidas a reparo primário e examinadas com o teste de Allen e um dispositivo Doppler portátil; posteriormente, os resultados foram confirmados à ultrassonografia com Doppler. Métodos Dezoito pacientes foram incluídos, com um total de 19 lesões arteriais, 14 lesões ulnares e 5 lesões radiais; um paciente tinha lesões em ambos os antebraços. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à cirurgia e três avaliações clínicas: o teste de Allen e a avaliação do fluxo sanguíneo arterial com um dispositivo portátil de Doppler na 4ª e 16ª semanas após a cirurgia e ultrassonografia com Doppler 12 semanas após o procedimento. Resultados Na primeira avaliação clínica, 77% dos pacientes apresentavam perviedade segundo o teste de Allen e 72% apresentavam som pulsátil identificado pelo Doppler portátil. Na segunda avaliação, 61% dos pacientes apresentaram perviedade com base no teste de Allen e a taxa de som pulsátil ao Doppler portátil foi de 72%, semelhante à observada 2 meses antes. À ultrassonografia com Doppler (cerca de 12 semanas após a cirurgia), a taxa de sucesso da arteriorrafia foi de 88%. Em relação à perviedade final (avaliação por ultrassonografia com Doppler) e mecanismo de trauma, todos os pacientes com traumatismo penetrante apresentavam artérias pérvias. Conclusão Concluímos que a avaliação clínica com um dispositivo Doppler portátil e o teste de Allen é confiável caso a artéria pérvia possa ser palpada. No entanto, a ultrassonografia pode ser necessária em caso de impossibilidade de localização de uma artéria pérvia durante o exame clínico.

Reparo de lesão vascular não letal causada por tamanduá-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) no Brasil / Repair of non-lethal vascular injury caused by giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in Brazil

Resumo O tamanduá-bandeira é um mamífero encontrado na América Central e na América do Sul. Esse animal possui garras que podem chegar a 6,5 cm de comprimento, utilizadas para escavar formigueiros e obter alimento, além de servir para sua defesa. Relatamos o caso de paciente masculino de 52 anos, com histórico de epilepsia, que foi levado desacordado ao pronto-socorro, devido a lesões no seu braço direito causadas por um tamanduá. Frente à suspeita de trauma vascular, o paciente foi submetido a exploração cirúrgica, que evidenciou uma lesão combinada de vasos braquiais, submetida a reparo. Apresentou boa evolução do quadro, recebendo alta hospitalar no segundo dia de pós-operatório e, no seguimento ambulatorial, evoluiu sem sequelas neurológicas ou vasculares.

Abstract The giant anteater is a mammal found in Central and South America. These animals have claws that can reach 6.5 centimeters in length, which they use to dig anthills to obtain food and for defense. We report the case of a 52-year-old male patient with a history of epilepsy who was taken unconscious to the emergency room due to injuries to his right arm caused by an anteater. He underwent surgical exploration to investigate suspected vascular trauma, revealing a combined (arterial and venous) injury of the brachial vessels, which were repaired. He recovered well and was discharged on the second postoperative day. During outpatient follow-up he continued to improve, with no neurological or vascular sequelae.

Arco palmar: correlato anátomo-quirúrgico en trauma / Palmar arch: anatomical and surgical correlation in trauma

La irrigación de la palma de la mano es proporcionada por arcos arteriales (superficial y profundo) que están conformados más frecuentemente por las arterias ulnar y radial estableciendo un patrón descrita como clásico. Se describen variaciones anatómicas en la conformación de ambos arcos, más frecuentemente en el arco palmar superficial; pudiendo ser los mismos completos o incompletos. Es objetivode este trabajo, la descripción anatómica de los arcos palmares, de sus diferentes patrones y variaciones de conformación, y sus implicancias clínico-quirúrgicas. Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, observacional y morfométrico de las arterias que participan en la formación de los arcos palmares; se utilizaron 100 preparaciones cadavéricas fijadas en solución de formol, de la Tercera Cátedra de Anatomía - Facultad de Medicina- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Se realizó además un análisis retrospectivo de casos con lesiones de la/sarteria/s principal/es que conforman los arcos palmares, en el Servicio de Emergencias del Hospital de Morón, entre 2015-2016. La arteria radial conforma el arco arterial profundo con la arteria cubito palmar más frecuentemente en el 100 % de los casos. El arco arterial superficial es el más variable. Fue completo en el 56 % y la presentación más frecuente (83 %) es aquella que se conforma por la anastomosis de la arteria ulnar y la arteria radiopalmar. El resto de las anastomosis son: entre arteria ulnar y arteria mediana (9 %),entre rama profunda de arteria radial y arteria ulnar (5 %); triple anastomosis entre arteria ulnar, arteria mediana y arteria radiopalmar (2 %), y anastomosis entre la arteria mediana y la arteria radiopalmar, sinparticipación de la arteria ulnar (1 %). El resto de la muestra (44 %) se lo puede denominar como incompleto. Los subtipos B1a y B1b fueron los más encontrados. Se describen dos casos clínicos, uno con sección completa de la arteria radial a nivel de la muñeca y el otro con sección completa de arteria ulnar con compromiso del nervio ulnar. Resulta esencial un correcto conocimiento de los arcos palmares para un adecuado abordaje quirúrgico de la mano. La importancia de la presencia o ausencia, así como de las distintas variaciones de los arcos arteriales palmares radica en su aplicación clínica quirúrgica como punto departida en el tratamiento del trauma como de otras patologías en las que existe compromiso de estos vasos.

The irrigation of the palm is provided by arterial arches (shallow and deep) that are made more frequently by the ulnar or radial arteries described as setting a classic pattern. Anatomical variations are described in shaping both arches, most often in the superficial palmar arch; may be the same complete or incomplete. The objective of this work is the anatomical description of the palmar arches, their different patterns and variations in conformation, and their clinical and surgical implications. A descriptive, observational and morphometric study of the arteries involved in the formation of the palmar arches was done in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires. One hundred 1(00) cadaveric preparations fixed in formalin solution, of the Third Chair of Anatomy were used. A retrospective analysis of cases with lesions / s artery /main / s that make the palmar arches in the Emergency Hospital of Moron, between 2015-2016 s was alsocarried out. Most frequently the radial artery forms the deep palmar arch with the deep palmar branch ofthe ulnar artery. Superficial palmar arch is the most variable. It was complete in 56 % and the most common presentation (83 %) is one that is formed by the anastomosis of the ulnar artery and the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery. The rest of the anastomosis are between ulnar artery and median artery(9%), between deep branch of radial artery and ulnar artery (5 %); triple anastomosis between ulnar artery,median artery and superficial palmar branch of the radial artery (2 %), and anastomosis between the median artery and superficial palmar branch of the radial artery without participation of the ulnar artery (1%). The rest of the sample (44 %) can be termed as incomplete. The B1a and B1b subtypes were the mostfound. Two cases, one entire section of the radial artery at the wrist and the other with complete section ofulnar artery with involvement of the ulnar nerve are described. It is essential to a proper understanding ofthe palmar arches for a suitable surgical approach to hand. The importance of the presence or absence, aswell as different variations of palmar arterial arch lies in its clinical application as surgical starting point in the treatment of trauma and other diseases in which there is engagement of arteries.

Flexor zone 5 cut injuries: emergency management and outcome

To determine the outcome and devise a protocol for emergency management of cut injuries in Flexor Zone 5 of hands. Descriptive study. Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn Unit, Mayo Hospital, KEMU, Lahore, Pakistan, from January 2009 to March 2013. All patients above 12 years of age with single sharp cut injuries in Flexor Zone 5, with no skeletal injuries, presenting within 12 hours in emergency were included with follow-up of 6 months, with active range of motion evaluated by Strickland's adjusted formula. Power of opponens pollicis and adductor muscles was evaluated from P0-4. Nerve repair results were evaluated serially by advancing Tinnel's sign, electrophysiological studies and sensory perception scored from S0-4 compared to the normal opposite upper limb. The study group comprised of 31 patients [M: F = 2.4: 1]. Average age was 27 years ranging from 17 - 53 years. In 25 [80%] cases, injury was accidental, in 3 [10%] homicidal and in 3 [10%] injury was suicidal. Four most commonly involved structures included Flexor carpi ulnaris, ulnar artery, ulnar nerve and Flexor digitorum superficialis. Median nerve and radial artery were involved in 10 cases each, while ulnar artery and ulnar nerve were involved in 14 cases each. Longtendons were involved in most cases with greater involvement of medial tendons. None of the patients required re-exploration for ischaemia of distal limb while doppler showed 22 out of 24 vascular anastomosis remained patent. Recovery of long-tendons was good and recovery after nerve repair was comparable in both median and ulnar nerves. Early and technically proper evaluation, exploration and repair of Zone 5 Flexor tendon injuries results in good functional and technical outcome

[Management of acute radial or ulnar artery injury in hospital emergency department]

Severe arterial injuries in the hand can be hazardous to the limbs and even life- threatening. The aim of this study was to investigate the management methods in the patients with acute injuries of the ulnar or radial artery in the emergency department. Material and This cross-sectional prospective study was conducted in the emergency department of Sina Hospital in Tehran, from 2012 to 2013. Stable vital signs, wrist and forearm laceration with jumper or active bleeding, radial or ulnar artery injury; one or both were among our inclusion criteria. Vital signs, level of consciousness, coincident injuries were assessed and physical examination was performed in all patients. We recorded time of patient arrival, primary and secondary treatment, and consultation and follow up visits in emergency department or ward. 50 patients [3 females and 47 males] with a mean age of 30.34y +/- 9.69y were enrolled. The first step was to examine and pack up bleeding. The most common injury was due to sharp instruments [84%] and the most common injured artery was radial artery [68%].The mean duration of the first treatment was 1.24 +/- 0.93 min. 37 patients [74%] were treated by ligation in the emergency room and the remaining 13 patients [26%] were sent to the operating room for repair and vascular anastomosis by our vascular surgeon. Mean values of duration for ligation were 16.72 +/- 13.83 min and 117.76 +/- 114 min in emergency medicine and vascular surgery groups, respectively that showed a significant difference between the two groups [p= 0.0001]. The overall duration of hospitalization for the patients was 69.04 +/- 82.74 hour [5- 311 hours]. Conclusions: We can conclude that the radial or ulnar artery ligation considering its indications or contraindications, in emergency room can play an important role in the recovery of patient's hemodynamic status and speed up of the next step of patient's treatment

Fratura do acrômio associada a lesão arterial: relato de caso / Fracture of the acromion associated with arterial lesion: case report

A fratura do acrômio com lesão arterial é uma associação rara. O quadro clínico caracteriza-se por dor no ombro, incapacidade funcional e edema do membro acometido, com pulso e temperatura distais diminuídos. A radiografia do ombro e a arteriografia definem o diagnóstico e auxiliam na evolução pós-operatória. Os autores relatam um caso raro de fratura da base do acrômio associada a lesão da artéria ulnar ipsilateral, seu tratamento, bem como a avaliação pré e pós-operatória.

Fracture of the acromion and arterial injury are a rare association. The clinical picture is characterized by shoulder pain, functional disability and swelling of the affected limb with decreased distal pulse and temperature. Radiography of the shoulder and arteriography define the diagnosis and assist in postoperative follow-up. The authors report a rare case of fracture of the acromion associated with injury of the ipsilateral ulnar artery and describe its treatment, as well as pre- and postoperative evaluations.

Síndrome del martillo hipotenar / Hypothenar hammer syndrome

Hypothenar hammer syndrome is an infrequently diagnosed labor disease. We report a 51 years old male who used the medial aspect of his left hand as a hammer over the past 12 years. He presented with ipsilateral ring finger embolization. An angiogram demonstrated an ulnar artery occlusion at the hypothenar eminence. No other source of emboli was found and treatment was conservative. This disease is a consequence of repetitive traum aon the ulnar artery, that leads to vessel wall changes and promotes local thrombosis, distal embolization and eventually, occlusion in situ. Treatment options are conservative in case of occlusion or reconstruction with exclusion of the emboligeneous area

Trauma to arteries of the forearm

O trauma de artérias do antebraço corresponde a 20 por cento do total de traumas arteriais. Os autores analisaram 24 pacientes com trauma näo iatrogênico de artérias do antebraço, atendidos de janeiro de 1987 a dezembro de 1990. Todos os pacientes eram do sexo masculino, o trauma por agente penetrante foi o mais freqüente, com 21 casos (87,5 por cento), a ausência de pulsos foi a manifestaçäo clínica mais freqüente (62,5 por cento), quinze pacientes näo apresentavam manifestaçöes isquêmicas (54,2 por cento) e metade dos doentes eram assintomáticos do ponto de vista neurológico. Constatou-se lesäo isolada de uma artéria em 11 casos, sendo cinco de artéria radial (20,8 por cento), cinco de artéria ulnar (20,8 por cento) e uma de artéria interóssea (4,2 por cento). Lesäo concomitante das artérias radial e ulnar foi verificada em 13 casos (54,1 por cento). Quanto ao comprometimento nervoso, constatou-se lesäo de nervo radial em 4 casos (16,6 por cento) e de nervos mediano e ulnar em um caso cada (4,1 por cento). Todos os pacientes com lesäo conjunta das artérias radial e ulnar (13) foram submetidos e restauraçäo arterial. Os 11 pacientes com lesäo isolada de uma artéria de antebraço foram tratados da seguinte maneira: ligadura de artéria interóssea em um caso, ligadura de artéria radial em quatro casos, rafia de artéria radial em um caso, ligadura de artéria ulnar em trés casos, restauraçäo de artéria ulnar com segmento de safena em dois casos nos quais o teste de Allen foi positivo. Um paciente faleceu no pós-operatório imediato devido a falência de múltiplos órgäos por politraumatismo. A preservaçäo do membro foi obtida em 23 doentes (95,8 por cento) e a única amputaçäo, se deveu a traumatismo de partes moles extenso com infecçäo grave e comprometimento sistêmico