Entrapment of the Extensor Digitorum Communis Tendon Following a Closed Metacarpal Fracture.

We report a unique patient with extensor digitorum communis (EDC) tendon entrapment following a closed metacarpal fracture. A 19-year-old male presented after punching a metal pole with his right hand. The diagnosis of a closed metacarpal fracture of the right middle finger was made, and the patient managed nonoperatively. Following subsequent worsening range of motion, further investigation was performed, and a portable ultrasound scan revealed entrapment of the right middle finger EDC tendon into the fracture site. This was confirmed intraoperatively, and the patient made a satisfactory recovery following surgical release of the entrapped tendon. We were unable to find a report of a similar injury in literature and it highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion for this rare aetiology, the role of ultrasonography as a useful adjunct in its diagnosis and the benefit of early surgical intervention in its management. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic).

Expanding the applications of intramedullary cannulated screw fixation in the hand.

OBJECTIVES: Intramedullary cannulated headless compression screw fixation (ICHCS) is gaining popularity for managing metacarpal and phalangeal fractures, but is still relatively new to the surgical landscape. We aim to further illustrate its utility and versatility by presenting the outcomes of such fractures treated with ICHCS at two tertiary plastic surgery centres. Primary objectives were to assess functional range of motion, patient-reported outcomes, and complication rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with metacarpal or phalangeal fractures treated with ICHCS (n = 49) between September 2018 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes were active ranges of motion (TAM), QuickDASH scores (obtained via telephone), and complication rates. Two-tailed Student's t-tests evaluated differences between centres. RESULTS: TAMs were available for 59% (n = 34/58) of fractures; 70.7% were metacarpal and 29.3% were phalangeal. The mean cohort metacarpal TAMs and phalangeal TAMs were 237.7° and 234.5°, respectively. QuickDASH scores were available for 69% (n = 34/49) of patients. The mean cohort score for metacarpal fractures was 8.23, and 5.13 for phalangeal. Differences between the two centres were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Two complications occurred, giving an overall complication rate of 3.45%. CONCLUSION: Our results corroborate previous reports on ICHCS, further demonstrating its versatility and capacity to provide excellent outcomes. More prospective, comparative studies are needed to fully determine the suitability of ICHCS.

Correction of Thumb Duplication: A Systematic Review of Surgical Techniques.

Surgical intervention for thumb duplication can be divided into three categories: simple excision of the accessory thumb, excision of the accessory thumb with reconstruction from available "spare parts," and combining the two thumbs into one, as described by Bilhaut. This prospectively PROSPERO registered systematic review evaluates the overall, aesthetic and functional outcomes for the latter two options (reconstruction from spare parts vs. combining two thumbs into one), aiming to facilitate evidence-based decision making when addressing thumb duplication and direct future research. The review was performed in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews and PRISMA statement. Embase, PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched. Studies offering comparisons of techniques were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies-of Intervention tool. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. Ten retrospective observational studies were included. Data did not consistently allow analysis by procedure type. Four studies reported similar overall outcomes between techniques, while two specifically reported poor overall outcomes for the Bilhaut procedure. Two studies reported comparatively worse aesthetic outcomes for the Bilhaut procedure with four studies reporting comparatively improved functional outcomes for this procedure. Overall, interpretation of outcomes was challenging with no patient-reported outcome measures used. The quality of the evidence was universally "very low" due to all studies being at risk of methodological bias. Based on the available evidence, surgical techniques for thumb duplication correction appear comparable regarding overall outcome. There is limited evidence suggesting reconstruction with spare parts offers superior aesthetic outcomes at the expense of stability. The level of evidence is III.

Considerations in surgical management of a Buschke-Lowenstein tumor in Netherton syndrome: A case report.

Netherton syndrome is an autosomal recessive ichthyosis caused by mutations in SPINK5, with the classic triad of linearis circumflexa, trichorrhexis invaginata, and atopy. There are few reports of surgical management in individuals with Netherton syndrome and clinicians may be reluctant to operate for fear of wound-healing complications. This report describes a pediatric case of a Buschke-Lowenstein tumor of the natal cleft in a patient with Netherton syndrome that had failed to respond to medical management. We reviewed the literature for previous cases of surgery in individuals with Netherton syndrome using MEDLINE and PubMed searches. Our patient underwent surgery to remove the lesion without complication. Using conventional dressings and topical negative-pressure therapy, the wound was managed and healed within a reasonable time frame despite the underlying skin condition. This case indicates that surgery and topical negative-pressure therapy is a safe and reasonable treatment for individuals with Netherton syndrome.

Epidemiology of U.K. military burns.

The authors review the etiology of U.K. military burns in light of increasing hybrid warfare. Analysis of the nature of these injured personnel will provide commanders with the evidence to plan for on-going and future operations. Case notes of all U.K. Armed Forces burn injured patients who were evacuated to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine were reviewed. Demographics, burn severity, pattern, and mortality details were included. There were 134 U.K. military personnel with burns requiring return to the United Kingdom during 2001-2007. The median age was 27 (20-62) years. Overall, 60% of burns seen were "accidental." Burning waste, misuse or disrespect of fuel, and scalds were the most prevalent noncombat burns. Areas commonly burned were the face, legs, and hands. During 2006-2007 in the two major conflicts, more than 59% (n = 36) of the burned patients evacuated to the United Kingdom were injured during combat. Burns sustained in combat represent 5.8% of all combat casualties and were commonly associated with other injuries. Improvised explosive device, minestrike, and rocket-propelled grenade were common causes. The mean TBSA affected for both groups was 5% (1-70). The majority of combat burn injuries have been small in size. Greater provision of flame retardant equipment and clothing may reduce the extent and number of combat burns in the future. The numbers of noncombat burns are being reduced by good military discipline.

Refeeding syndrome--awareness, prevention and management.

BACKGROUND: Refeeding syndrome is an important, yet commonly overlooked condition affecting patients. It occurs when feeding is commenced after a period of starvation. Head and neck cancer patients are at particular risk owing to prolonged periods of poor nutritional intake. This may be from general effects such as cancer anorexia or from more specific problems of dysphagia associated with this group of patients. Awareness of the condition is crucial in identifying patients at risk and taking measures to prevent its occurrence. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this review are to: 1) Highlight the condition and stress the importance of its consideration when admitting head and neck cancer patients. 2) Discuss the pathophysiology behind refeeding syndrome. 3) Review the literature for the best available evidence and guidelines. 4) Highlight the need for further high quality research. CONCLUSION: Refeeding syndrome is potentially fatal, yet is preventable. Awareness and identification of at-risk patients is crucial to improving management. Refeeding syndrome is caused by rapid refeeding after a period of under-nutrition, characterised by hypophosphataemia, electrolyte shifts and has metabolic and clinical complications. High risk patients include the chronically under-nourished and those with little intake for greater than 10 days. Patients with dysphagia are at particular risk. Refeeding should commence at 10 kcal/kg per day in patients at risk, and increased slowly. Thiamine, vitamin B complex and multi-vitamin supplements should be started with refeeding. New NICE guidelines state that pre-feeding correction of electrolyte and fluid deficits is unnecessary, but should be done concurrently with re-feeding. More research in this field is needed as the evidence base is lacking.

A retrospective study examining the socioeconomic backgrounds of women undergoing bilateral breast augmentation at a private independent hospital in the United kingdom.

Cosmetic breast augmentation is becoming increasingly popular and acceptable to women in the United Kingdom. This study examined the socioeconomic backgrounds of women undergoing breast augmentation who live in North Warwickshire in the Midlands. The case notes of 98 consecutive breast augmentations performed at a private independent hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The average age of the patient was 34 years (range, 17-53 years). They were requesting, on the average, an increase of 2 bra cup sizes (range, 1-3 cup sizes). The preoperative bra cup size was A/B (range, AA-C), and the postoperative bra cup size was C/D (range, B-E). The average size of the implant used was 270 ml (range, 160-410 ml). The average implant size used currently is considerably larger than that reported in studies 30 years ago. What women perceive as a "natural-appearing" breast has changed over time. The findings show that women from all across the socioeconomic spectrum are undergoing breast augmentation. In particular, the authors found that the largest proportion (34%) of their patients have come from social class IIIn. This is particularly interesting in that this social class is not overrepresented in North Warwickshire. The findings of this study may have implications for cosmetic surgery providers and may document the change in the attitudes of the authors' society toward cosmetic breast augmentation.