Boyd Amputation Using the Tension Band Technique.

BACKGROUND: Amputation at the level of the hindfoot results in an equinus deformity from an imbalance of muscle-tendons acting across the ankle. Boyd's reconstruction for hindfoot amputations is a well-known technique that retains the calcaneus and fuses it with the distal tibia at the ankle mortise. It provides an excellent weight-bearing stump and in most cases does not require an artificial limb but its use has been restricted because of the difficulty in obtaining high union rates in the tibiocalcaneal fusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients (four unilateral and one bilateral) underwent leg amputations from January 2012 to November 2013 using the Boyd technique for reconstructing the stump and were stabilized with a tension band. The study sample consisted of adult patients who had traumatic reasons for the amputation. Patients under 18 years old with a hindfoot that was inadequate for Boyd reconstruction (i.e., insufficient soft tissue coverage or no posterior tibial artery pulse) were excluded. One (case #2) had systemic comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, chronic vascular insufficiency) as well as being a smoker. Three men and two women (mean age 39 years; range 21-61 years) were included. Three patients underwent amputation on the right side, one on the left side, and one bilaterally (case #5). All patients presented with Gustillo and Anderson IIIC open fractures. The mean time from lesion to amputation was 2.25 weeks (range 1-4 weeks). The mean follow-up duration was 16 (range 12-24) months. The post-surgery examination included a clinical examination and radiography. A 6 minute walk test (6 MWT) was performed on week 32 after the amputation. This study was carried out with the approval of our institution's ethics committee. All patients provided a written informed consent form in accordance with the World Medical Association and the Declaration of Helsinki. RESULTS: All six stumps fused successfully. The 6 MWT results were comparable to those found in the literature for other lower limb amputees. CONCLUSION: The tension band technique used as part of the Boyd amputation to achieve tibiocalcaneal fusion was effective in all five trauma patients. Sound fusion was achieved in all cases with the 6 MWT scores comparable to that in the literature. This technique should be considered an osteosynthesis option for the Boyd procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective study. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Mongon MLD, Sposito AL, Nunes GMN, et al. Boyd Amputation Using the Tension Band Technique. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2019;14(2):102-105.

Pedicled Sensate Composite Calcaneal Flap in Children With Congenital Tibial Pseudoarthrosis.

BACKGROUND: The preservation and functionality of a limb affected by a malformation (such as congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia) or a severely mangled lower limb in children, despite modern reconstructive techniques, remains challenging, often eventually requiring amputation to achieve a better outcome. The classical Syme and Boyd procedures are functionally better than transtibial (TT) amputation, but are not feasible for congenital tibial pseudoarthrosis. TT amputation delivers an excellent, effective, and functional stump that usually leads, after prosthetization, to a functional gait. Unfortunately, in some situations, particularly when amputation is performed conventionally, the stump is also associated with complications. Future surgical revisions are often needed, particularly in children, because of stump overgrowth. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2010, three patients diagnosed with congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia associated with neurofibromatosis who were indicated for TT amputation with calcaneal flap after failure of all previous surgical reconstructive procedures were selected. The chosen method for osteosynthesis was an external fixator of Ilizarov. RESULTS: At 12 weeks of follow-up, the stump had healed in all three patients, and tibiocalcaneal fusion was achieved without complications. All patients were prosthetized and had an asymptomatic gait. After a minimum follow-up of 6 years, all three cases with the pedicled sensate composite calcaneal flap still had a strong, full weight-bearing surface and have adapted easily to the conventional prosthesis, providing a painless stump with excellent functionality. CONCLUSION: With a 0 rate of needed revisions, all 3 cases with the pedicled sensate composite calcaneal flap preserving the hind foot still have a strong, full weight-bearing surface and have easily adapted to the conventional prosthesis, providing a painless and excellent functional stump that could last a lifetime. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Fracture of distal humerus: MIPO technique with visualization of the radial nerve.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes in patients treated for humerus distal third fractures with MIPO technique and visualization of the radial nerve by an accessory approach, in those without radial palsy before surgery. METHODS: The patients were treated with MIPO technique. The visualization and isolation of the radial nerve was done by an approach between the brachialis and the brachiorradialis, with an oblique incision, in the lateral side of the arm. MEPS was used to evaluate the elbow function. RESULTS: Seven patients were evaluated with a mean age of 29.8 years old. The average follow up was 29.85 months. The radial neuropraxis after surgery occurred in three patients. The sensorial recovery occurred after 3.16 months on average and also of the motor function, after 5.33 months on average, in all patients. We achieved fracture consolidation in all patients (M=4.22 months). The averages for flexion-extension and prono-supination were 112.85° and 145°, respectively. The MEPS average score was 86.42. There was no case of infection. CONCLUSION: This approach allowed excluding a radial nerve interposition on site of the fracture and/or under the plate, showing a high level of consolidation of the fracture and a good evolution of the range of movement of the elbow. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

Fracture of distal humerus: MIPO technique with visualization of the radial nerve

Avaliar os resultados de pacientes submetidos à osteossíntesede fraturas do terço distal do úmero, com técnica MIPO evisualização direta do nervo radial por via acessória, em pacientessem déficit neurológico pré-operatório. Métodos: Os pacientes foramsubmetidos à osteossíntese através da técnica MIPO. A visualizaçãoe isolamento do nervo radial foram realizados por abordagem entreo braquial e o braquiorradial, com incisão oblíqua, na face lateral dobraço. A avaliação funcional do cotovelo foi realizada por meio doescore de MEPS. Resultados: Sete pacientes foram avaliados, comidade media de 29,8 anos. O tempo de seguimento médio foi 29,85meses. A neuropraxia pós-operatória ocorreu em três pacientes.Houve recuperação sensitiva do nervo radial (M=3,16 meses) etambém motora (M=5,33 meses) em todos os pacientes. Observamosconsolidação da fratura em todos pacientes (M=4,22 meses).As médias de flexo-extensão e prono-supinação foram 112,85° e145°, respectivamente. A média do escore MEPS foi de 86,42. Nãohouve nenhum caso de infecção pós-operatória. Conclusão: Essaabordagem permitiu excluir a interposição do nervo radial no focode fratura e/ou na placa, apresentando alto índice de consolidaçãoda fratura e boa evolução do arco de movimento do cotovelo. Nívelde Evidência IV, Série de Casos...

To evaluate the outcomes in patients treated for humerusdistal third fractures with MIPO technique and visualizationof the radial nerve by an accessory approach, in those withoutradial palsy before surgery. Methods: The patients were treatedwith MIPO technique. The visualization and isolation of the radialnerve was done by an approach between the brachialis and thebrachiorradialis, with an oblique incision, in the lateral side of thearm. MEPS was used to evaluate the elbow function. Results: Sevenpatients were evaluated with a mean age of 29.8 years old. Theaverage follow up was 29.85 months. The radial neuropraxis aftersurgery occurred in three patients. The sensorial recovery occurredafter 3.16 months on average and also of the motor function,after 5.33 months on average, in all patients. We achieved fractureconsolidation in all patients (M=4.22 months). The averages forflexion-extension and prono-supination were 112.85° and 145°,respectively. The MEPS average score was 86.42. There was nocase of infection. Conclusion: This approach allowed excludinga radial nerve interposition on site of the fracture and/or under theplate, showing a high level of consolidation of the fracture and agood evolution of the range of movement of the elbow. Level ofEvidence IV, Case Series...

Tibiotalar arthrodesis in posttraumatic arthritis using the tension band technique.

BACKGROUND: Although a variety of surgical techniques are available for the treatment of ankle degenerative disease, arthrodesis is a common treatment especially for unilateral posttraumatic arthritis in young patients. A clear trend toward internal fixation for ankle arthrodesis is evident, but fusion site compression is known to play an integral role in primary bone healing. METHODS: Between September 2001 and October 2009, 17 adults with painful end-stage posttraumatic ankle arthritis were treated with the tension band technique to achieve tibiotalar arthrodesis. RESULTS: Tibiotalar fusion was obtained in all patients at a mean of 16.6 (range, 13 to 28) weeks. No patient had pain at the last postoperative follow-up examination. AOFAS and Mazur scores were preoperatively 29 and 23.1, respectively, and postoperatively 71.1 and 70.7, respectively. CONCLUSION: Arthrodesis with a tension band was a safe and effective surgical treatment option for posttraumatic ankle arthritis in patients without infection and good bone density, as it was simple, less invasive, and inexpensive and allowed early full weight-bearing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Cortical tibial osteoperiosteal flap technique to achieve bony bridge in transtibial amputation: experience in nine adult patients.

Amputation, especially of the lower limbs, is a surgical procedure that gives excellent results when conducted under the appropriate conditions. In 1949 Ertl developed a technique for transtibial osteomyoplastic amputation which restored the intraosseous pressure through canal obliteration and expanded the area of terminal support through a bony bridge between the fibula and distal tibia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a modification of the original Ertl's technique in which a cortical osteoperiosteal flap created from the tibia is used to form a bony bridge during transtibial amputation in adults. Nine patients underwent leg amputations with the cortical tibial osteoperiosteal flap technique for reconstruction of the stump. The average duration of follow-up was 30.8 (range, 18-41) months. The post-surgery examination included a clinical examination and radiography. A 6-min walk test (Enright in Respir Care 48(8):783-785, 2003) was performed in the 32nd week after amputation. At 24th week post-surgery, all patients had stumps that were painless and able to bear full weight through the end. The creation of a cortical osteoperiosteal flap from the tibia to the fibula during transtibial amputation is a safe and effective technique that provides a strong and painless terminal weight-bearing stump. This constitutes a useful option for young patients, athletes, and patients with high physical demands.

A case series featuring extremely short below-knee stumps.

BACKGROUND: Lower limb amputations should be evaluated carefully, especially with regard to the possibility of preserving the knee joint to enable a more physiological gait and lower energy consumption. Below-knee amputations were performed immediately below the tibial tuberosity with maintenance of the insertion of the patellar tendon, resulting in very short, but functional stumps. This case study examined whether very short below-knee stumps allow a more functional gait, as compared to more proximal amputations. CASE DESCRIPTION AND METHODS: Between June 2010 and June 2011, four patients had extremely short below-knee amputations, with resection of the head of the fibula at the junction and reinsertion of the collateral ligaments and structures attached to the tibia. This was followed by placement of a prosthesis with a vacuum-assisted suspension socket. FINDINGS AND OUTCOME: At the end of treatment, patients that underwent transtibial amputations with an extremely short stump were considered well adapted to their prosthesis and were satisfied in relation to the acquired gait patterns. CONCLUSION: The extremely short below-knee amputation, despite having a short lever arm should be considered as another option for lower-limb amputations, although we cannot yet assure that other patient groups undergoing this level of amputation may have the same results of the study. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The extremely short below-knee amputation, despite having a short lever arm should be considered as an option for lower limb amputations, as it can provide a prosthetic provision with a good functional outcome.

Sensate composite calcaneal flap in leg amputation: a full terminal weight-bearing surface-experience in eight adult patients.

Despite modern reconstruction techniques and replantation, the preservation of a severely traumatised limb, or even a limb affected by a congenital malformation, usually gives poorer functional results compared with amputation and prosthetisation. The aim of this study was to describe a hind foot (including the calcaneum and fat pad) sensate flap with a surface that allows full terminal weight bearing in transtibial amputations in adults. Between June 2007 and September 2008, eight patients underwent leg amputations with a sensate composite calcaneal flap reconstruction of the stump. Patients consisted of four men and four women with a mean age of 46.5 (26-66) years. All amputations were unilateral. The mean follow-up was 28.3 (25-42) months. There were no complications. Calcaneum tibial fusion was observed in all patients in a mean time of 3.5 (3-4) months. A below-knee prosthesis was adapted at 16 weeks postoperatively in all cases, and no need for stump revision occurred in this series during the entire follow-up period. A transtibial amputation covered with a sensate plantar flap preserving the calcaneum was proposed. In theory, the anatomic structures spared in this technique provide a strong, full, weight-bearing terminal surface of the stump that will last a lifetime.

Pedicled sensate composite calcaneal flap to achieve full weight-bearing surface in midshaft leg amputations: case report.

Of the possible levels of amputation, transtibial amputations result in functionally excellent outcomes. However, in contrast to hind foot amputations, such as Syme and especially Boyd amputation, acute or late complications related to the amputated stump are frequent with the various described techniques. The aim of this study was to describe a hind foot (including the calcaneum and fat pad) pedicled sensate flap with a surface that allowed full terminal weight-bearing in transtibial amputations in adults. One male patient, 66 years old with schizophrenia and chronic distal tibial osteomyelitis, underwent a leg amputation with sensate composite calcaneal flap construction. The stump was painless and able to bear total terminal weight at 12 weeks. Calcaneum tibial fusion was observed at 12-week postoperative follow-up. A below-knee prosthesis was adapted in 12 weeks, and at the 1-year follow-up, the patient was completely satisfied with the functional performance of his stump. The flap described provides proprioceptive feedback with the best bone and skin to support weight bearing. Another advantage is the possibility to use the same prosthesis commonly used in Boyd or Syme amputation due a longer arm leverage, which also allows full terminal weight-bearing. In the current study, a transtibial amputation covered with a pedicled sensate plantar flap preserving the calcaneum was proposed. In theory, the anatomic structures spared in this technique provide a strong full weight-bearing terminal surface of the stump that will last a lifetime.

Anterior plating as a surgical alternative in the treatment of humeral shaft non-union.

This study included 15 patients with humeral shaft fractures who had no clinical, radiological or bone scan signs of healing after eight months. The patients were followed for a mean of 35.8 months. No patient was lost to follow-up. Anterior plating of humeral shaft nonunion via an anterior approach was performed using a straight plate and compression for well-vascularised non-unions and wave plating with a tricortical graft for poorly vascularised non-unions. All non-unions healed within 6-18 weeks (mean, nine weeks) without local complication. One patient had a mild decrease in elbow and shoulder range of motion. No neurovascular injury was observed. Anterior plating is a simple, safe and effective treatment for humeral shaft non-union. As this approach avoids the need for radial nerve visualisation and extensive soft-tissue dissection, and the healing time is similar to that of other methods, we suggest this treatment as an alternative option.

Estudo anatômico do nervo isquiático em cadáveres: determinação de parâmetros de segurança para a via de acesso póstero-lateral do quadril / Establishment of safety parameters for hip posterolateral access to cadavers' ischiatic nerve: an anatomical study

A preferência dos ortopedistas pela via de acesso póstero-lateral do quadril demanda maior atenção e refinamento da técnica cirúrgica, a fim de diminuir complicações intra e pós-operatórias, principalmente iatrogênicas. Embora o déficit neurológico pós artroplastia de quadril seja uma complicação incomum (cerca de 1 por cento), quase 80 por cento desses casos relacionam-se ao nervo isquiático ou a uma de suas divisões. O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar parâmetros de segurança para a via de acesso póstero-lateral do quadril, visando diminuir a incidência de lesão iatrogênica dos nervos isquiático, tibial ou fibular, uma vez que tal assunto ainda não foi abordado pela literatura. Vinte quadris de cadáveres humanos foram estudados e a menor distância entre o limite lateral do n. isquiático e a inserção do m. piriforme foi 27 mm (aferida sob a margem distal desse músculo), bem como a mínima distância entre o limite lateral do n. isquiático e a inserção femoral do m. quadrado da coxa foi 20mm (aferida sobre a margem proximal desse músculo). A determinação desses parâmetros deixa o ortopedista mais seguro para avançar posterior e distalmente pela via de acesso póstero-lateral, mas não minimiza o cuidado com a dissecção e a importância do emprego de técnica cirúrgica apurada.

Orthopaedic doctors' preference for the posterolateral access of the hip demands further attention and improvement of the surgical technique in order to reduce per- and postoperative complications rates, especially the iatrogenic ones. Although neurological deficit post hip arthroplasty is an uncommon complication (about 1 percent of the cases), almost 80 percent of these cases are correlated to the ischiatic nerve or to one of its divisions. The objective of this study was to establish safety parameters for the posterolateral access of the hip, aiming to reduce the incidence rate of iatrogenic injuries of the ischiatic, tibial or fibular nerves, since this subject has not been addressed by literature so far. Twenty human cadavers' hips were studied and the shortest distance between the lateral end of the ischiatic nerve and the insertion of the quadratus muscle of the thigh was 2 mm (measured over this muscle's proximal edge). The establishment of such parameters provides orthopaedic surgeons with more confidence to go posterior and distally through the posterolateral access, but does not minimizes the level of care required to dissection and the importance of using a fine surgical technique.

Determinaçäo da projeçäo do túnel do carpo através de pontos topográficos: estudo anatômico / Topographic location of carpal tunnel projection: anatomical study

De acordo com a literatura, as vias de acesso na abertura do túnel do carpo variam em tamanho e localizaçäo. Tomando como referência o trabalho de Serra et al. (1977), os autores deste trabalho dissecaram 20 mäos, 10 direitas e 10 esquerdas, e estabeleceram pontos topográficos na regiäo palmar para a identificaçäo da projeçäo do retináculo dos flexores. Em todas as peças estudadas o objetivo deste trabalho foi alcançado e um ponto denominado X foi obtido. O ponto X demarca a projeçäo da borda distal do retináculo dos flexores. Ainda foi mensurado o comprimento longitudinal do retináculo dos flexores, delimitando o seu limite proximal. Näo interferiram as diferenças morfométricas de indivíduos éctipos.

Distribuição do nervo cutâneo lateral da coxa na área de injeção intramuscular / Distribution of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh in the area of intramuscular injection

A técnica de injeçäo intramuscular (IM) na regiäo ântero-lateral da coxa é prática médica muito utilizada. Entretanto, apesar desta área ser apontada como segundo melhor local para esta prática, tanto em adultos como em crianças, a técnica ainda mostra-se muito dolorosa em ambos. OBJETIVO: Estudar a localizaçäo, distribuiçäo, trajeto e relaçäo topográfica do nervo cutâneo lateral da coxa com a área recomendada para prática da injeçäo intramuscular, relacionando-os à dor decorrente de tal procedimento. MÉTODO: Através da exposiçäo da regiäo ântero-lateral por dissecçäo clássica, o nervo cutâneo lateral da coxa foi identificado e isolado em 20 cadáveres adultos masculinos fixados, dando-se ênfase à visualizaçäo de seus ramos nervosos sobre o tracto iliotibial. RESULTADOS: Após emergir medialmente em relaçäo à espinha ilíaca ântero-superior, em 100 por cento dos casos, o nervo cutâneo lateral da coxa emite três ramos calibrosos em 70 por cento dos espécimes, sendo que em 30 por cento emite apenas dois. No terço superior, e na porçäo superior do terço médio da coxa, observa-se uma rede de numerosos ramúsculos nervosos envoltos por quantidade variável de tecido adiposo. Todavia, na porçäo inferior do terço médio da coxa e no terço inferior, näo se visualizam ramos nervosos importantes. CONCLUSÄO: Baseados em nossos dados, recomendamos a utilizaçäo da porçäo inferior do terço médio da coxa como local de escolha para prática de injeçäo IM na regiäo ântero-lateral da coxa, por se tratar de uma regiäo menos inervada, o que acarretará menos dor nesta área durante tal procedimento, trazendo maior conforto ao paciente

Relações do nervo axilar com o músculo subescapular: sua importância no acesso deltopeitotal / Relationship between the axillary nerve and the subscapular muscle: its impotance in deltoid-pectoral access

Foram estudadas 20 peças anatômicas de membros superiores para que se pudesse determinar a topografia precisa do nervo axilar (NA) em relação ao músculo subescapular (MSE), analisando-se, ainda, a rotação do membro superior que mais afasta o NA da inserção do MSE no úmero. O trabalho confirma o fato de que a rotação lateral garante maior segurança no procedimento cirúrgico, pois afasta o NA da inserção do tendão do MSE. Portanto, com o conhecimento dos valores dessa relação, através de padronização técnica, podem-se minimizar os riscos de lesão do NA quando se realiza incisão do tendão do MSE na sua margem lateral.

[Distribution of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh in the area of intramuscular injection]. / Distribuição do nervo cutâneo lateral da coxa na área de injeção intramuscular.

UNLABELLED: The technique of intramuscular injection (IM) into the antero-lateral region of the thigh is widely used. Nevertheless, despite this area being indicated as the second best location for this practice, the technique is still observed to be very painful for both adult and child patients. OBJECTIVE: To study the localization, distribution and course of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, and its topographic relationship with the area recommended for the practice of intramuscular injection, relating these characteristics to the pain resulting from such procedures. METHOD: By means of exposing the antero-lateral region by classical dissection, the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh was identified and isolated in 20 fixed adult male cadavers, giving emphasis to the viewing of its nerve rami across the iliotibial tract. RESULTS: In 100% of the cases, the lateral cutaneous nerve emerged medially in relation to the upper anterior iliac spine. After this, it issued three wide-caliber rami in 70% of the specimens and only two in the remaining 30%. In the upper third and in the upper portion of the middle third of the thigh, a network of numerous small nerve rami was observed, enveloped in a variable quantity of adipose tissue. However, in the lower portion of the middle third of the thigh and in the lower third, no significant nerve rami were seen. CONCLUSION: Based on our data, we recommend whenever possible that the distal half of the region displayed by the classical technique be utilized as the location of choice for the practice of intramuscular injection into the antero-lateral region of the thigh. This is because this region is less innervated by the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, which will cause less pain in this area during such procedures, thereby affording greater comfort to the patient.

Artéria recorrente radial na fossa cubital: origens e ramos / Origin and branches of recurrent radial artery in the cubital fossa

Os autores estudaram a origem e as ramificações da artéria recorrente radial com o intuito de contribuir para o estudo anatômico da região do cotovelo, visto que uma descrição detalhada não foi encontrada na literatura. Foram dissecados 31 membros superiores de cadáveres de adultos de ambos os sexos, sendo 15 direitos e 16 esquerdos. A artéria recorrente radial teve como origem predominante a artéria radial (80,6 por cento), seguida da artéria braquial (16,1 por cento) e da artéria ulnar (3,3 por cento). Quanto ao número de ramos, apresentou variação de cinco a 13 ramos divididos pelos autores em distais, proximais e anteriores à cabeça do rádio. Observou?se predomínio dos ramos distais, com média de 4,26 sobre os proximais (média de 3,0) e os anteriores (média de 1,13). Desse modo, os autores concluíram que, na grande maioria das vezes, a artéria recorrente radial se originou da artéria radial. Quanto aos ramos, foram freqüentes os distais, seguidos pelos proximais. Os ramos anteriores à cabeça do rádio são pouco numerosos.