Hand function after high dose rate brachytherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin of the hand.

AIMS: Current recommendations for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the hand are almost unanimously in favour of ablative surgery. However, many of the patients are frail and elderly, and surgical techniques frequently involve skin grafts or amputation of digits. A non-invasive method of treatment is, therefore, often preferred. Radiotherapy using a brachytherapy technique is a well-established option. This study investigated whether patients found the treatment acceptable and assessed the outcome of treatment in terms of local control, cosmesis and hand function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients who underwent mould brachytherapy using a microselectron high dose rate radiotherapy device were available for assessment. We assessed the functional status of the hand and fingers by means of the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand and Michigan Hand Outcomes questionnaires. We examined the hand to assess the severity of post-radiation stigmata. We enquired as to patient acceptability of treatment and outcome. RESULTS: Of 25 patients who agreed to participate, the fingers were affected in 15 and the dorsum of the hand in 10. The mean age at the time of radiotherapy was 69 years (range 50-87). There were no significant differences in parameters, such as range of motion of fingers and wrist, hand/finger grip strength, between the treated and opposite sides. Sensation, including two-point discrimination, was not significantly different from the untreated hand. Seventeen patients had minor skin changes. No patient found the treatment painful or unacceptable. Twenty patients were very satisfied and five patients were moderately satisfied with the cosmetic result. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that high dose rate brachytherapy is a safe and simple alternative to surgical treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the hand, as it is not only successful in eradicating tumour, but also preserves hand function.

The effect of tourniquet padding on the efficiency of tourniquets of the upper limb.

We report the effect of padding on the efficiency of the pneumatic tourniquet for the upper limb. Varying thicknesses of two commercially-available types of orthopaedic padding (Cellona and Velband) were applied to the arms of 20 volunteers, with three pressure transducers placed directly beneath the padding. A tourniquet was positioned over the padding and inflated to 220 mmHg. Significant reductions in the transmitted pressure were recorded from the transducers with both padding materials. With eight layers of padding, reductions in pressure of 13% (1% to 26%) and 18% (7% to 35%) were seen with Cellona and Velband, respectively. The reduction in pressure with Velband padding correlated with increasing arm circumference (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.711, p < 0.001). Studies to date have examined how arm circumference affects the required tourniquet inflation pressure. Our study is the first to investigate the effect of the padding and the findings suggest that using more than two layers results in a significant reduction in the transmitted pressure.

Controlled trial of distal radial fractures treated with a resorbable bone mineral substitute.

This randomized trial compared the use of hydroxyapatite cement with Kapandji wiring in distal radial fractures. Two groups of nine patients with distal radial fractures were either treated by reduction and fixation with wires or insertion of the cement into the fracture void. There was no difference between the groups before operation, on reduction or at day 1. Dorsal angle in the hydroxyapatite group was significantly worse at 6, 12 and 26 weeks. Grip strength and palmar flexion were poor in the hydroxyapatite cement group. All the clinical parameters and X-ray variables were worse at 12 and 26 weeks in the hydroxyapatite cement group. We conclude from this trial that there is nothing to support the use of this hydroxyapatite cement, without the use of additional fixation, in distal radial fractures.