Acute Hand Injury in Surfing: A Case Report.

Hand injuries from surfing tend to be severe and require medical attention. Follow-up of a surfing injury is difficult because many patients are visiting and go home after treatment. We report a case of a surfing hand injury sustained abroad, which was treated upon the patient's return, allowing for follow-up. The mechanism of injury was traction and torsion from the surfboard leash while surfing. The patient was initially treated for nailbed injury but presented later back home after persistent pain, for which an unstable distal phalanx fracture in their right ring finger was found by x-ray. This was surgically reduced with K-wire insertion and nailbed repair. Postoperatively, the injured finger was kept in a splint, and the patient had physiotherapy. Pain was significantly reduced, and the patient regained sufficient function. Considering a fracture as a differential for finger injury caused by the surfboard leash may prevent management delays. Injury may be prevented through education and redesign of the surfboard leash.

A National Survey on Perineal Reconstruction Following Standard and Extralevator Abdominoperineal Excision: Current Practices and Trends in the UK.

Background Challenging perineal defects resulting from extralevator (ELAPE) and standard abdominoperineal excision (APE) have given rise to an emerging multidisciplinary approach between colorectal and plastic surgeons. At present, there is a relative paucity of evidence on best practice. This study sought to assess current national practice concerning perineal reconstruction following APE/ELAPE in the United Kingdom (UK) and to determine the factors involved in reconstruction choice. Methodology An anonymised survey was circulated to consultant plastic surgeons at all 48 UK centres performing perineal reconstruction following APE/ELAPE. Responses were collected between October 2021 and April 2022. Results Complete responses were received from 24 units nationally. All units had a dedicated APE/ELAPE service. Overall, 70% adopted a standardised reconstructive approach, the most common being the inferior gluteal artery perforator flap (n = 11). Significant variation was identified in the reconstructive technique. Similar differences were observed in the perceived importance of surgical factors guiding the reconstructive decision-making process, the top priorities being the size of the defect and previous radiotherapy. Conclusions The variability of responses suggests a lack of national consensus on optimal reconstruction following APE/ELAPE, despite the majority of centres employing a standardised approach to reconstruction. Our study highlights important surgical decision-making factors and provides valuable insight to aid in developing national collaborative evidence-based guidelines on best practice.

Secondary Flexor Tendon Reconstruction: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Flexor tendon injuries of the hand and wrist involve complete or partial severance of the tendon, and primary repair is standard treatment. In cases of significantly delayed presentation, rupture of the repair or segmental tendon loss may require 1- or 2-stage secondary tendon reconstruction where a tendon graft is used. There is a risk of poor functional outcome due to stiffness and reduced range of motion which may affect patient's employment and activities of daily living. This study seeks to systematically evaluate the current evidence to determine outcomes of secondary flexor tendon reconstruction in terms of functional outcomes, complications, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) and costs. Methods: This is a PROSPERO registered study protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative and non-comparative studies. Outcomes of intrasynovial versus extrasynovial tendon grafting and seniority of the surgeon will be analysed in addition to comparing graft weaving at the wrist and palm for both single- and two-stage tendon reconstruction. The primary outcome is functional active range of motion. Secondary outcomes are complications, PROMs and resource use. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted from 2000 to present. All studies involving secondary flexor tendon repairs will be involved, without limitation on language, and will be screened by two independent reviewers. Tools to appraise the quality of study methodology and/or bias will be used (e.g., Cochrane Collaborative Risk of Bias tool) and if feasible, a random effects meta-analysis will be conducted. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was not required for this study. The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and presented at both national and international conferences involving hand surgeons. The data collected will allow patients to be counselled more accurately by clinicians and may suggest areas where further research could be undertaken. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021296009. Highlights: Single- or two-stage secondary flexor tendon reconstruction is an important treatment modality in cases unsuitable for primary repair.This study seeks to systematically evaluate the current evidence to determine outcomes of secondary flexor tendon reconstruction in terms of functional. outcomes, complications, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) and costs.This is a PROSPERO registered study protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative and non-comparative studies.Outcomes of intrasynovial versus extrasynovial tendon grafting and seniority of the surgeon will be analysed in addition to comparing graft weaving at the wrist and palm for both single- and two-stage tendon reconstruction.This systematic review aims to evaluate and summarise the best current literature to determine outcomes of secondary flexor tendon reconstruction.