[Interest in wrist arthroscopy for treatment of articular fractures of the distal radius: report of 27 cases]. / Intérêt de l'arthroscopie du poignet dans le traitement des fractures articulaires du 1/4 inférieur du radius: à propos de 27 cas.

We report our results of treatment of intra articular distal radius fracture assisted by wrist arthroscopy. Twenty six patients (15 men and 11 women) were treated using this technique. All the patients were operated on under regional anaesthesia, the elbow flexed to 90 degrees, and in-line traction applied using "Japanese" fingers traps (4 to 6 kgs). After articular cleansing, reduction under arthroscopic and fluoroscopic control was carried out using K-wires. All fractures were intra articular and in four cases of fractures with four fragments, it was necessary to combine a volar plate with the K-wires. There were 21 associated ligament injuries (seven TFCC tears, four lunotriquetral ligament injuries and ten scapholunate injuries of which four necessitated pinning). Our average follow-up time was 16 months (6-26 months). There was absence of pain in 23 cases and the results were good for wrist motion and strength. We did not experienced any severe secondary displacement. Eighteen excellent, seven good results and one average result were obtained. The quality of these functional and anatomical results seems to be directly linked to the quality of reduction obtained under arthroscopy and the quality of internal fixation carried out under traction.

The posterior interosseous reverse flap: experience with 113 flaps.

The authors have used a posterior interosseous flap for resurfacing in 113 cases of hand injury during the past 13 years. Its main indications were complex hand trauma or burn injuries with large skin loss, either acute or postprimary. Flaps survived completely in 98 patients. Twelve patients had superficial necrosis of the distal part of the flap, which did not require additional surgical procedures. Three flaps were lost and alternative coverage was used. Six patients demonstrated paralysis of the motor branch to the extensor muscles of the wrist or fingers (generally to the extensor carpi ulnaris, the extensor digiti quinti, or the extensor pollicis longus). All recovered completely within 6 months. The donor area was closed directly in 3 to 4-cm-wide flaps, leaving an inconspicuous scar. Larger flaps required skin grafting. Donor site morbidity was minimal. Major anatomic variations precluding the use of the flap were encountered twice in this series.