Extension Block Pinning Vs Single Kirshner Wiring To Treat Bony Mallet Finger. A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Bony Mallet Finger or Mallet Fracture is a common injury of the hand, which follows a forced flexion of the extended distal interphalangeal joint, that leads to a bony avulsion of the distal phalanx. Depending on fracture extension and dislocation, those lesions can either be treated conservatively or surgically. Several surgical options have been described in the literature. The aim of this study is to compare retrospectively two percutaneous pinning techniques: the extension block technique according to Ishiguro vs an original single Kirshner wiring (Umbrella technique). METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2019, among all patients treated surgically for a Mallet Fracture with either the Ishiguro' and the Umbrella technique, 98 have been included in this study. All patients have been assessed one year after surgery using the Crawford method. RESULTS: With both techniques better results have been achieved in younger patients and for those treated early. The umbrella technique seems to have better results in patients with fracture classified as 2b or 2c (Wehbe and Schneider classification), whereas the Ishiguro technique seems more appropriate for patients with a 1b fracture. Complication rate and typology vary depending on the used technique. CONCLUSIONS: The Ishiguro' and the Umbrella technique both lead to good results for the treatment of surgical Mallet Fractures. The choice of the best type of pinning should mainly depend on fracture extension and time elapsed from trauma.

The Dorsoulnar Artery Perforator Adipofascial Flap in the Treatment of Distal Radioulnar Synostosis.

Posttraumatic radioulnar synostosis (RUS) is a rare event following forearm fractures. Consequences are disabling for patients who suffer from functional limitation in forearm pronosupination. Distal RUS are even more rare and more difficult to treat because of high recurrence rates. The patient we describe in this paper came to our attention with a double distal RUS recurrence and a Darrach procedure already performed. We performed a radical excision of RUS and interposition with a vascularized dorsoulnar artery (DUA) adipofascial perforator flap. Four years after surgery, the patient shows the same complete range of motion in pronosupination, and MRI confirms that the flap is still in place with signs of vascularization. Simple synostosis excision has been proven ineffective in many cases. Interposition is recommended after excision, and biological material interposition seems to be more effective than foreign material. Surgeons are increasingly performing vascularized interposition, and the results are very encouraging.

Posterior interosseous artery distal radius graft for ulnar nonunion treatment.

The aim of our study was to describe a dorsal distal radius vascularized bone graft pedicled on the posterior interosseous artery (PIA), and its clinical application in 2 cases of ulnar nonunion. We studied the surgical technique in 5 freshly injected cadavers. The 4th extensor compartment artery originates from the anastomotic arch between the posterior division of the anterior interosseous artery and the PIA and provides periosteal branches to supply the dorsal distal radius metaphysis. A 2-cm vascularized bone graft can be harvested from the radius, and dissection of the PIA enables a long pedicle with a wide arc of rotation able to reach the ulnar diaphysis. The approach is limited to the forearm and distal radius and has minimal donor morbidity.

Complications following correction of the planovalgus foot in cerebral palsy by arthroereisis.

Pes valgus is a pathological condition which occurs in up to 25% of patients with cerebral palsy. Its correction in early age is essential to prevent progression of the deformity and to optimize the patient's function. In younger patients arthroereisis can be considered as a treatment that fills the void between orthotics and arthrodesis. We treated 15 patients (27 feet) with intra- or extra-sinus tarsi arthroereisis. Concomitant Achilles tendon lengthening was performed in 12 feet. Results were good in 19 feet and poor in 8. Even though arthoereisis presents some complications, it can be considered a useful treatment to delay or avoid a Grice subtalar arthrodesis in flexible pes valgus due to cerebral palsy.

Hip subluxation and dislocation in cerebral palsy: outcome of bone surgery in 21 hips.

The prevalence of hip subluxation and dislocation in cerebral palsy ranges between 3% and 75% in the literature. Clinical signs are rigidity, pain and instability. We assessed functionality, stability and symptoms in 20 patients preoperatively and after follow-up. A varus derotation osteotomy was performed in cases with subluxation or dislocation, while a Chiari osteotomy was performed in the presence of a concomitant acetabular dysplasia. Results were good in 64%, fair in 22% and poor in 14% of patients treated with a varus derotation osteotomy. In patients treated with a Chiari osteotomy, results were good in 43% of cases, fair in 43% and poor in 14%. Subluxated or dislocated hips generally show several anomalies: their severity is directly proportional to the degree of neurological impairment. In the most severe cases, correction of just one of such anomalies might not be sufficient to guarantee good results of the surgery.

Surgical treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle: a report on 17 cases.

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle (CPC) is a rare malformation of uncertain aetiopathogenesis, usually unilateral. Physical examination reveals swelling over the midportion of the clavicle, often asymptomatic; the diagnosis is confirmed by radiology. Treatment is controversial: for many authors the surgical indications are the presence of symptoms, functional impairment or cosmetic deformities. We present a retrospective analysis of 17 children with CPC treated in our institutions: 9 were treated with plate (P) and 8 with Kirschner wire (KW) fixation; a bone graft was used in 12 cases only. Five patients (4 P and 1 KW) needed a second surgical procedure. The surgical treatment led to a very good result in 7 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 3 other cases. We recommend early treatment of all patients with CPC with resection of the pseudarthrosis, autologous iliac bone grafting and internal fixation with Kirschner wires.