Impact of COVID-19 on hand surgery in Italy: A comparison between the Northern and the Southern regions.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency and elective hand surgery in four Italian regions that had either a high (Lombardy and Piemonte) or a low (Sicilia and Puglia) COVID-19 case load to discuss problems and to elaborate strategies to improve treatment pathways. A panel of hand surgeons from these different regions compared and discussed data from the centers they work in. The COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous impact on both elective and emergency surgery in Italy, not only in highly affected regions but also - and paradoxically even at a higher extent - in regions with a low COVID-19 case load. A durable and flexible redesign of hand surgery activities should be promoted, while changing and hopefully increasing human resources and enhancing administrative support. Telematics must also be implemented, especially for delivering rehabilitation therapy.

[Trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: treatment with tendon interposition arthroplasty according to Ceruso in severe osteoarthritis]. / La rizoartrosi: trattamento con artroplastica di sospensione secondo Ceruso nei gradi avanzati.

PURPOSE: There are several tendon interposition arthroplasty techniques for treatment of the trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. The technique implemented by Ceruso, which uses the abductor pollicis longus, is an ideal solution. Through the radial exposures, it is possible to remove the trapezium, to split the abductor pollicis longus and to do the arthroplasty. This surgical technique is simple and it fosters a possible rapid recovery of the hand's functions. Complications are extremely unlikely. METHODS: The Author report on the 20 cases of hand's with osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint type 3 and 4 they have operated according to Brunnelli's classification between 2002 and 2006. RESULTS: All the patients were able to perform the daily activities, displaying with a good strength. The column of the thumb never proved shorter than before and distance between the base of the first metacarpal bone and the scaphoid remained unchanged during the whole follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The Ceruso's technique is capable of giving stability to the thumb and filling the space of the trapezium carries out function of the biological space.

[Occupational hand injuries in an area of high prevalence of farming and craft work]. / Infortuni della mano sul lavoro in un'area a prevalenza agricolo-artigianale.

Hand injuries exceed 20% of all occupational injuries. This article reviews the history of 237 hand injuries mostly occurred in craftsmen and farmers. The results allow us to make some considerations on the role of occupational physician in their prevention.

Divergent dislocation of the fourth and fifth carpometacarpal joints.

A case of divergent dislocation of the fourth and fifth carpometacarpal joints is reported. The injury resulted from a high-energy trauma and was treated by closed reduction and cast immobilization for 4 weeks. Evaluation at the 26-month follow-up visit showed good radiographic and functional results.

Kiloh-Nevin syndrome: a clinical case of compression of the anterior interosseous nerve.

Anterior interosseous nerve syndrome is a rare occurrence. One particular case, in terms of its etiopathogenesis, and its clinical findings that involved isolated lesion of the long flexor muscle of the thumb is reported. Healing occurred after approximately 10 months. Medical and physiotherapeutic treatment were carried out.