Co-Adaptive Control of Bionic Limbs via Unsupervised Adaptation of Muscle Synergies.

OBJECTIVE: In this work, we present a myoelectric interface that extracts natural motor synergies from multi-muscle signals and adapts in real-time with new user inputs. With this unsupervised adaptive myocontrol (UAM) system, optimal synergies for control are continuously co-adapted with changes in user motor control, or as a function of perturbed conditions via online non-negative matrix factorization guided by physiologically informed sparseness constraints in lieu of explicit data labelling. METHODS: UAM was tested in a set of virtual target reaching tasks completed by able-bodied and amputee subjects. Tests were conducted under normative and electrode perturbed conditions to gauge control robustness with comparisons to non-adaptive and supervised adaptive myocontrol schemes. Furthermore, UAM was used to interface an amputee with a multi-functional powered hand prosthesis during standardized Clothespin Relocation Tests, also conducted in normative and perturbed conditions. RESULTS: In virtual tests, UAM effectively mitigated performance degradation caused by electrode displacement, affording greater resilience over an existing supervised adaptive system for amputee subjects. Induced electrode shifts also had negligible effect on the real world control performance of UAM with consistent completion times (23.91 ±1.33 s) achieved across Clothespin Relocation Tests in the normative and electrode perturbed conditions. CONCLUSION: UAM affords comparable robustness improvements to existing supervised adaptive myocontrol interfaces whilst providing additional practical advantages for clinical deployment. SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed system uniquely incorporates neuromuscular control principles with unsupervised online learning methods and presents a working example of a freely co-adaptive bionic interface.

Measuring functional outcome in upper extremity soft-tissue sarcoma: Validation of the Toronto extremity salvage score and the QuickDASH patient-reported outcome instruments.

Interest in functional outcome (FO) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in extremity soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) patients has increased. The aim of this study was to validate two FO questionnaires for upper extremity STS patients: the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) and short version of the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH), based on Finnish population data. A multi-center study was conducted at two academic sarcoma centers. Surgically treated upper extremity STS patients were invited to participate. Patients completed the TESS and the QuickDASH with HRQL questionnaires the 15D and the QLQ-C30. The scores were analyzed and compared. Fifty-five patients with a mean follow-up period of 4.7 years were included. Mean age was 63 years (standard deviation [SD] 14.6). The mean score for TESS was 88.5 (SD 15.1) and for QuickDASH 17.8 (SD 19.6). The QuickDASH had a statistically significantly better score coverage. A ceiling effect was noted, 27% and 20% for TESS and QuickDASH, respectively. The TESS and QuickDASH scores were strongly correlated (r= -0.89). The TESS score strongly correlated with the QLQ-C30 (r = 0.79) and the 15D score (r = 0.70). The QuickDASH score correlated strongly with the QLQ-C30 score (r=-0.71) and moderately with the 15D score (r= -0.56). The TESS score had a statistically significantly stronger correlation with the 15D score than QuickDASH (p<0.005). Both the TESS and the QuickDASH provide reliable scores for assessing FO in upper extremity STS patients. The QuickDASH has a better coverage, whereas TESS showed a stronger correlation to HRQL scores.

Soft Tissue Sarcoma of Lower Extremity: Functional Outcome and Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have focused on patient-related factors in analyzing long-term functional outcome and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with postoperative lower extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with postoperative functional outcome and HRQoL in patients with lower extremity STS. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in a tertiary referral center using the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS), Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and 15 Dimension (15D) measures. Functional outcome and HRQoL data were collected prospectively. All patients were treated by a multidisciplinary team according to a written treatment protocol. RESULTS: A total of 141 patients who had undergone limb-salvage surgery were included. Depending on the outcome measure used, 19-51% of patients were completely asymptomatic and 13-14% of patients had an unimpaired HRQoL. The mean score for TESS, 15D mobility score, and QLQ-C30 Physical Functioning scale were 86, 0.83, and 75, respectively, while the mean score for 15D was 0.88, and 73 for QLQ-C30 QoL. Lower functional outcome was statistically significantly associated with higher age, higher body mass index (BMI), and the need for reconstructive surgery and radiotherapy, while lower HRQoL was statistically significantly associated with higher age, higher BMI, and reconstructive surgery. CONCLUSION: Functional outcome and HRQoL were generally high in this cross-sectional study of patients with STS in the lower extremity. Both tumor- and treatment-related factors had an impact but patient-related factors such as age and BMI were the major determinants of both functional outcome and HRQoL.

Further validation of the Toronto extremity salvage score for lower extremity soft tissue sarcoma based on Finnish patients.

The most widely used patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients is the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). The aim of the study was to validate and test the reliability of the TESS for patients with lower extremity STS based on Finnish population data. Patients were assessed using the TESS, the QLQ-C30 Function and Quality of life (QoL) modules, the 15D and the Musculoskeletal tumour Society (MSTS) score. The TESS was completed twice with a 2- to 4-week interval. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for test-retest reliability. Construct validity was tested for structural validity and convergent validity. Altogether 136 patients completed the TESS. A ceiling effect was noted as 21% of the patients scored maximum points. The ICC between first and second administration of the TESS was 0.96. The results of exploratory factor analysis together with high Cronbach's alpha (0.98) supported a unidimensional structure. The TESS correlated moderately with the MSTS score (rho = 0.59, p< 0.001) and strongly with the mobility dimension in the 15D HRQL instrument (rho = 0.76, p < 0.001) and the physical function in QLQ-C30 (rho = 0.83, p< 0.001). The TESS instrument is a comprehensive and reliable PRO measure. The TESS may be used as a validated single index score, for lower extremity STS patients for the measurement of a functional outcome. The TESS seems to reflect patients' HRQoL well after the treatment of lower extremity soft tissue sarcomas.

Forequarter Amputation and Reconstructive Options.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present the results of a series of forequarter amputations (FQAs) and to evaluate the reconstructive methods used. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although FQA has become a rare procedure in the era of limb-sparing treatment of extremity malignancies, it is a useful option when resection of a shoulder girdle or proximal upper extremity tumor cannot be performed so as to retain a functional limb. METHODS: Thirty-four patients were treated with FQA in 1989 to 2017. Various reconstructive techniques were used, including free fillet flaps from the amputated extremity. RESULTS: All patients presented with intractable symptoms such as severe pain, motor or sensory deficit, or limb edema. Seventeen patients were treated with palliative intent. Chest wall resection was performed in 9 patients. Free flap reconstruction was necessary for 15 patients, with 11 free flaps harvested from the amputated extremity. There was no operative mortality, and no free flaps were lost. In curatively treated patients, estimated 5-year disease-specific survival was 60%. Median survival in the palliatively treated group was 13 months (1-35 months). CONCLUSIONS: Limb-sparing treatment is preferable for most shoulder girdle and proximal upper extremity tumors. Sometimes, FQA is the only option enabling curative treatment. In palliative indications, considerable disease-free intervals and relief from disabling symptoms can be achieved. The extensive tissue defects caused by extended FQA can be safely and reliably reconstructed by means of free flaps, preferably harvested from the amputated extremity.

Functional Outcome Measurement in Patients with Lower-Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: The importance of functional outcome (FO) in the treatment of patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS) has been increasingly recognized in the last three decades. This systematic review aimed to investigate how FO is measured in surgically treated lower-extremity STS patients. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus was performed based on the PRISMA guidelines. The methodologic quality of the publications was measured using the MINORS tool. The results from the included studies examining measurement types, measures, and time of FO measurement were compiled. The FO pooled mean and standard deviation were calculated as a weighted average for the groups. The validity of the applied measures is reported. RESULTS: The literature search found 3461 publications, 37 of which met the inclusion criteria. The measurement types used were clinician-reported outcomes (n = 27), patient-reported outcomes (n = 20), and observer-reported outcomes (n = 2). The most frequently used measures were the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) (n = 16) and the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score 1993 (n = 12). The postoperative FO was relatively good. The pooled mean TESS and MSTS 1993 scores were respectively 83.3 and 86.2 (out of 100). Of the 10 previously reported measures, 3 provide validated FO scores. The methodologic quality of publications was generally low. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this systematic review, several different methods exist for assessing FO in patients with lower-extremity sarcoma. The most frequently used measure is a validated TESS. The postoperative FO of patients with lower-extremity STS seems to increase to the preoperative baseline level during long-term follow-up evaluation.

Outcome and rational management of civilian gunshot injuries to the brain-retrospective analysis of patients treated at the Helsinki University Hospital from 2000 to 2012.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of gunshot wounds of the brain (GSWB) remains controversial and there is high variation in reported survival rates (from < 10 to > 90%) depending on the etiology and country. We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of a series of consecutive GSWB patients admitted alive to a level 1 trauma center in a safe high-income welfare country with a low rate of homicidal gun violence. METHODS: Patients admitted due to a GSWB to the HUS Helsinki University Hospital during 2000-2012 were identified from hospital discharge registry and log books of the emergency room and ICU. CT scans and medical records of these patients were reviewed. Univariate analysis and backward logistic regression were performed, and their results compared with that of a systematic literature review of factors related to the outcome of GSWB patients. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients admitted alive after GSWB were identified. Eighty percent had self-inflicted GSWB, 81% were contact shots, and 70% were caused by handguns. In-hospital mortality was 72%. Factors associated with mortality in our series were low GCS (≤ 8) at admission, transventricular bullet trajectory, and associated damage to deep brain structures, as reported before in the literature. Of the 64 patients admitted alive, 42% (27/64) were admitted to ICU, 34% (22/64) underwent surgery, and in 25% (16/64), craniotomy and hematoma evacuation was performed. Mortality in the surgically treated group was 32% but near 100% without surgery and ICU treatment. Median GOS in the surgically treated patients was 3 (range 1-5). CONCLUSIONS: GSWB caused by contact shot from handguns has a high mortality rate, but can be survived with reasonable outcome if limited to lobar injury without significant damage to deep brain structures or brain stem. In such GSWB patients, initial aggressive resuscitation, ICU admission, and surgery seem indicated.

Role of Free Iliac Crest Flap in Foot and Ankle Reconstruction.

Background Reconstruction of extensive bone and compound defects in the foot and ankle is challenging. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the outcomes of free iliac crest flap in foot and ankle reconstruction. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patient records and identified 13 cases with 1 osseous and 12 composite free iliac crest grafts for compound fracture (n = 3) or sequelae (n = 10) in the foot and ankle. We applied the visual analogue scale foot and ankle, the Oswestry disability index, and the 15D health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments. Results The average follow-up period was 3.9 years (range, 1.3-8.0 years). Four patients underwent early reoperations; venous and arterial reanastomosis (n = 1), minor wound revision (n = 2), or flap reconstruction due to partial necrosis of the skin island (n = 1). The median time to bone union was 23 months (range, 7-46 months). One permanent pseudoarthrosis occurred. One patient underwent late below-knee amputation due to chronic pain and functional impairment. One patient required flap reconstruction due to a late donor-site defect. Seven patients completed the questionnaires on an average of 14.7 years postoperatively (range, 2.0-26.9 years). Noted impairment of the donor site and of the reconstructed limb ranged from none to significant. Five (out of seven) patients had a HRQoL comparable to that of an age-standardized general population. Conclusions The free iliac crest flap is a feasible option for extensive compound fractures and bone-healing complications in the foot and ankle. It can also be used to achieve ankle arthrodesis when other techniques have failed and in patients at high risk for amputation.

Gunshot wounds in Finland.

On average 200 gunshot wounds are treated in Finland annually. Half of them are caused by firearm accidents, whereas the great majority of fatal wounds are self-inflicted. Physicians treating trauma patients should be familiar with the basics of ballistics. In practice, however, a distinction between gunshot wounds caused by handguns and those caused by rifles or shotguns is generally sufficient. Generally accepted guidelines for treating trauma patients are followed, and imaging is used for nearly all patients. Removal of bullets is generally not necessary. Most patients require operative treatment, but in certain cases a non-operative approach may be considered. In severe gunshot wounds rapidly administered antibiotics and a sufficiently radical debridement remain the mainstays of treatment.

Microvascular flaps and collateral ligament reconstructions for soft tissue sarcomas at the knee joint.

We report the suitability of free flap reconstruction in defects around the knee joint caused by soft tissue sarcoma (STS) excisions. The importance of collateral ligament reconstruction is also evaluated.Between years 1993 and 2005, 15 STS patients having a STS at the knee area with the need for free flap were treated in Helsinki University Hospital. Eleven musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi, 3 fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh flaps, and 1 osteomusculocutaneous latissimus dorsi were used. The reconstruction of collateral ligaments was performed for 7 patients, 4 medial and 3 lateral; 6 with bone-tendon-bone grafts from patellar tendon and 1 with pes anserinus tendon transposition.There was no postoperative mortality. One flap was lost. Five patients needed debridement for minor wound complications. The mean follow-up time was 64 months. There were no local recurrences. Distant metastasis developed after the operation in 5 patients. Of these, 2 patients with solitary soft tissue metastasis were operated, and they are disease free. At 5 years 79% were disease-free. One patient with medial collateral reconstruction had recurrent patellar displacement and needed further operations; another with lateral collateral ligament and posterior capsular excision, that was not reconstructed, had lateral instability of the knee and needed orthosis.Free flap for STS of the knee is a reliable method. Patients can be operated with wider marginals and prognosis is good. Ligament reconstruction can be performed simultaneously, if collateral ligaments are excised.