Mini-open transverse flexor crease incision versus limited longitudinal palmar incision carpal tunnel release: A short term outcome study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of carpal tunnel release using the limited longitudinal palmar incision technique and mini open transverse flexor crease incision technique. MATERIALS AND METHODSL: Between October 2017 and September 2019, we performed Carpal Tunnel release procedures on 122 consecutive patients with unilateral idiopathic CTS. Patients in Group A (64 patients) had a palmar mini open longitudinal incision at wrist. Patients in Group B (58 patients) had a small flexor crease transverse incision. In the non palmar transverse incision group, we used a blunt ended facelift scissors to cut the flexor retinaculum after placing a dural retractor between the retinaculum and median nerve. The preoperative and postoperative (2 weeks,6 weeks,3 months, 6 months and 1 year) patient statuses were evaluated with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTSQ) scores, VAS, grip strength and return to work days. RESULTS: The BCTSQ symptom severity scale and functional status scale showed significant improvement following surgery in Group B compared to Group A at 2 weeks,6 weeks and 3 months (p < 0.05). At 6 months and 1 year follow up, both the symptom severity and functional status scale were comparable in both the groups. Grip strength, pillar pain and scar tenderness showed significant improvement in transverse flexor incision group compared to longitudinal palmar incision group at 6 weeks and 3 months and were comparable later on. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the mini open transverse flexor crease incision technique using the conventional instruments is simple, safe and cost-effective mode of treatment of idiopathic CTS when compared to the limited palmar incision technique. Though the long term outcomes are comparable in both groups, the flexor crease transverse incision group patients had better pain relief, better cosmesis and shorter recovery period than the palmar incision group.

Arthroscopic capsular release and continuous upper arm brachial block in frozen shoulder - A midterm outcome analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Continuous upper arm brachial block (modified interscalene block) with an arthroscopic capsular release in the outcome of resistant frozen shoulder cases. METHODS: We studied 123 patients who underwent arthroscopic capsular release and subacromial decompression for resistant frozen shoulder cases between June 2016 and July 2019. Postoperative analgesia was provided with Continuous upper arm brachial block and ambulatory patient-controlled analgesia pump for 2-3 weeks. The patients were started on regular physiotherapy on the first postoperative day. All the patients were followed up at 3rd week, 6th week, 3rdmonth, 6th month, 1st year, and 2nd year with VAS and Constant-Murley scores. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up period of 18 months, there was a statistically significant improvement in the range of motion, VAS scores, and Constant-Murley scores postoperatively (p < .01). None of the cases required postoperative opioid administration for pain control. Minor neurological complications like recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and Horner's syndrome were seen in few cases that resolved with titration of the drug dose. CONCLUSION: Our study verifies the use of continuous upper arm brachial block (CUABB) with a portable infusion pump for 2-3 weeks in arthroscopic capsular release for resistant frozen shoulder cases. It significantly reduced postoperative pain in the initial two weeks that aided with early recovery of the shoulder movements and functions without an increased incidence of acute or chronic neurologic complications.

It is time for a more cautious approach to surgical diathermy, especially in COVID-19 outbreak: A schematic review.

BACKGROUND: Many surgeons are unaware of the risks posed by the surgical diathermy. Apart from the numerous chemicals, surgical smoke had been shown to harbour intact bacterial and virus particles especially COVID-19 in the current time. OBJECTIVE: To identify the inhalational, infectious, chemical, and mutagenic risks of surgical smoke and suggest evidence-based hazard reduction strategies. Also to cogitate on the very high risk of viral spread by the use of surgical diathermy in COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: A review of articles indexed for MEDLINE on PubMed using the keywords surgical smoke, diathermy, electrocautery, surgical smoke hazards, smoke evacuator, and guidelines for surgical smoke safety was performed. The review included evidences from 50 articles from the dermatology, surgery, infectious disease, obstetrics, and cancer biology literature. RESULTS: There are risks associated with surgical smoke. Although some surgeons were aware, majority were not keen in the hazard reduction strategies. CONCLUSION: Many chemical and biological particles have been found in surgical smoke. It is highly recommended to follow the standardised guidelines for surgical smoke safety. Surgical smoke carries full virus particle(such as COVID-19 virus), it is strongly recommended to minimise or avoid electrocautery during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Case Report: 'Z' osteotomy - a novel technique of treatment in Blount's disease.

Blount's disease is a progressive form of genu varum due to asymmetrical inhibition of the postero medial portion of the proximal tibial epiphysis. The surgical treatments involved in correction of Blount's disease are often technically demanding, complicated procedures.  These procedures can lead to prolonged recovery times and poor patient compliance. In such a context we are suggesting "fibulectomy with Z osteotomy" of the proximal tibia, a relatively simple and highly effective technique. This technique is based on correcting the mechanical axis of the lower limb thereby restoring growth from the medial physis of proximal tibia. We have used a new surgical technique, which includes fibulectomy followed by a Z-shaped osteotomy. We have used this simple technique in a 5 year-old boy with unilateral Blount's disease. The femoro-tibial angle was corrected from 18.2° of varus to 4.2° of valgus. The angular correction obtained after operation was 22°. There were no postoperative complications. This technique has the advantages of correcting both angular and rotational deformities simultaneously.  The purpose of this case study is to introduce a new surgical technique in the treatment of Blount's disease.

Facet joint septic arthritis due to community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) - A case report.

Septic arthritis of facet joint (SAFJ) is extremely rare. Only about sixty cases have been reported so far. A single case of SAFJ in a series of 491 cases of spinal infections was first reported by David-Chaussé in 1981. A case report of SAFJ was published by Halpin in 1987. With the growing availability and use of MRI, more and more cases are being reported. The most common organism that causes SAFJ is Staphylococcus aureus. We are reporting a case of SAFJ caused by community acquired, methicillin resistant S aureus (MRSA) successfully treated by Linezolid.

Case report: congenital dislocation of the radial head -a two-in-one approach.

BACKGROUND: Congenital dislocation of the radial head of the elbow is rare. It is genetically transmitted in some cases and is often associated with syndromes, such as Nail-Patella syndrome, antecubital pterygium and ulnar dysplasia. About two thirds are posterior, with the remainder being either anterior (15%) or lateral (15%). The natural history of the condition is that symptoms are relatively benign, with only some limitation of motion and deformity. Treatment either involves early attempts at reconstruction or delayed intervention at skeletal maturity with radial head excision. We evaluated the radiographic and functional results of a two-in-one procedure (radial shortening and open reduction) in the treatment of congenital dislocation of the radial head of an eight year old girl. OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique for easy reduction and maintenance of normal radiocapitellar joint anatomy in cases of congenital dislocation of the radial head. METHOD: We have introduced one modification to the Sachar's method of open reduction by adding radial shortening. This can be described as a 'two incision approach' with the first incision for the radial shortening and the second for the open reduction of the radiocapitellar joint. The radial shaft was osteotomised first before we performed the radial head relocation. Then the overlapping part of radial shaft was trimmed. It was stabilized with a transarticular K wire fixation. RESULTS: At one year follow up, the elbow is stable with no valgus or fixed flexion deformity. Supination has increased to 40 degrees from zero degrees. An X-ray showed reformation of the radial head with good congruity of the radiocapitellar joint and correction of the radial bow. CONCLUSION: As far as the authors are aware, this is the first report of congenital dislocation of the radial head being treated by radial shortening and open reduction of radiocapitellar joint through a two incision approach (two-in-one approach). This paper describes this new technique, which we implemented for easy reduction maintenance of normal radiocapitellar joint anatomy.

Tibial osteomyelitis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi in an immunocompetent patient: case report.

UNLABELLED: Dematiaceous fungi are the etiological agents of phaeohyphomycosis. Diverse presentations of infectious syndromes are seen, ranging from local infections after trauma to widely disseminated infection in immunocompromised patients. Fonsecaea pedrosoi species have been reported to cause an increasing number of infections, particularly in severely immunocompromised patients. Colonization of normal skin has been reported. We present a case of F. pedrosoi osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent patient. A high level of suspicion and routine fungal cultures are required to identify these cases. Tissue culture and pathologic examination are necessary for definitive diagnosis and for distinguishing infection from colonization. Therapy includes antifungal drugs (itraconazole) and aggressive surgical debridement, and, even when these modalities are readily implemented, the outcome may not be optimal because of the angioinvasive character of the organism. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: 4.

Butterfly vertebra: an uncommon congenital spinal anomaly.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a report of a patient with T6 butterfly vertebra, which is an uncommon congenital spinal anomaly. OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the significance of identifying butterfly vertebra that may be confused with other pathologic conditions like fractures, infections, and metastases. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: We report a 46-year-old woman with butterfly vertebra of T6 spine. The patient presented with complaints of low back pain and examination showed an abnormal bony prominence at midthoracic level. Radiologic and hematologic investigations confirmed the presence of butterfly vertebrae at T6 level, which proved to be a coincidental finding along with nonspecific low back pain. Knowledge about this condition is very important, since the condition can be easily confused with a pathologic fracture. METHODS: The patient presented with a history of low back pain of 2 months. The patient was evaluated clinically and with hematological investigations. The diagnosis was confirmed with computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. RESULTS: Routine examination of the motor and sensory system was found to be normal. Roentgenogram of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine showed anterior wedging of T6 vertebrae in the lateral view and features suggestive of the presence of a butterfly vertebra at T6 level in the anteroposterior (AP) view. Hematologic evaluation was done to rule out pathologic causes of anterior wedging of the vertebra like infections and metastases in the spine. MRI and CT scans of the spine confirmed the presence of T6 butterfly vertebra. Patient was treated for her low back pain and assured that the abnormal midthoracic bony prominence was a benign condition that needs no treatment. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion is needed to identify this benign spinal anomaly that may be confused with many pathologic conditions. Knowledge of this condition helps in making rational use of extensive noninvasive and invasive diagnostic procedures.

Multicentric epithelioid angiosarcoma of the spine: a case report of a rare bone tumor.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Epithelioid angiosarcoma (EA) is a high-grade sarcoma of vascular origin. EA is a rare variant of angiosarcoma. It is characterized by large cells with an epethelioid morphology. EA has been reported in sites like skin thyroid, adrenal gland, soft tissue, and rarely in bone. PURPOSE: The current article describes a case of multicentric EA of the spine that presented simultaneously at T4 spine and the posterior one third of the left fourth rib. STUDY DESIGN/SETTINGS: This study included a patient with a rare spinal tumor, which presented insidiously. Radiologically, the lesions were osteolytic with erosion of cortices. The tumor was composed of nests and cords of malignant cells with epithelioid morphology with areas of vascular differentiation, necrosis, and hemorrhage. Anastomosing vascular spaces lined by epithelioid endothelial cells suggested focal endotheliod differentiation. METHODS: Histopathological evaluation of the tumor obtained from en bloc resection of the fourth rib and specimen from decompression of the fourth thoracic vertebra was done. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for endothelioid cell markers like CD31 and factor VIII related antigen. The authors point out the need for immunohistochemical evaluation after careful histological analysis for vascular differentiation for an accurate diagnosis of vascular bone tumors with epithelioid features so that an erroneous diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma can be avoided. EA occurs rarely in bone. EA is marked by the presence of large polygonal epithelioid malignant cells with marked cellular atypia and pleomorphism. The arrangement of the cells may mimic epithelial neoplasm. These types of lesions are a definite diagnostic challenge in bone biopsy. The tumor was treated with en bloc resection of the rib and decompression of the body of T4 spine, followed by megavoltage radiotherapy. Follow-up X-rays showed regression of the tumor at 2 years. CD31 is the most sensitive marker for EA. Even in the absence of obvious vascular differentiation, abundant intratumoral hemorrhage and intratumoral neutrophils are definite morphologic changes that should suggest a vascular origin. RESULTS: The patient was followed up for 2 years. A conservative surgical approach with a radical course of megavoltage radiotherapy could yield a good result in EA of bone. At the time of writing this report, there is no evidence of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: It is important to differentiate EA from other tumors because the clinical course and treatment are specific for these conditions. Careful histologic and immunohistochemical analysis will clinch the diagnosis. Even though rare, we stress the importance to be aware of the existence of this tumor, which is essential for correct diagnosis.