Vascularized pisiform graft for the treatment of scaphoid nonunion: An anatomical study.

Scaphoid fracture can evolve into scaphoid nonunion leading to wrist arthritis. Vascularized bone flaps used to treat scaphoid nonunion are supplied by delicate, small, or short arteries that are not always reliable. The pisiform bone has never been considered as a possible treatment of scaphoid nonunion since the traditionally harvested pedicle is too short. This study aimed to characterize the vascularization of the pisiform with the goal of developing a method of harvesting it with a longer pedicle that can be used as a graft to treat scaphoid nonunion. A cadaver study on 30 upper limbs was done in two parts: firstly, we dissected 20 cadaver specimens and documented the pisiform's vascularization (size, length, and articular surface) as well as anatomical characteristics of the dorsal ulnar artery; secondly, we used 10 cadaver specimens to study an experimental surgical procedure in which a vascularized pisiform graft is used to treat an artificially created nonunion and confirm its feasibility. The pisiform artery originated from the dorsal ulnar artery in all 20 dissections. Its average length of 4.036cm could be increased by 11% by ligating the upstream collateral branches from the dorsal ulnar artery. The pedicled vascularized pisiform flap was grafted to the scaphoid in 10 experimental procedures performed on fresh cadavers. The vascularized pisiform graft consists of a reliable vascular pedicle and well vascularized multi-cortical bone with a cartilaginous surface. However, more studies are needed to confirm the feasibility of this flap as an alternative for treating unstable scaphoid nonunion.

[Medial femoral condyle free flap for reconstruction of carpometacarpal bone defect after giant cell tumour of tendon synovial sheath resection]. / Transfert osseux libre de condyle fémoral médial pour la reconstruction d'une perte de substance osseuse carpo-métacarpienne après résection d'une tumeur à cellule géante des gaines synoviale.

We report the case of a 23-year-old patient treated for a large giant cell tumour of the synovial sheaths of the ulnar edge of the hand and wrist invading the triquetrum, the hamatum, the ulnar part of the capitate as well as the bases of the 3rd, 4th and 5th metacarpals and the floor of the Guyon's canal and the carpal tunnel. A monobloc resection was performed in a healthy margin ; the loss of bone substance was 7×3.5cm. We performed a bone reconstruction using a cortico-cancellous medial femoral condyle free flap of 8×4cm. Postoperative follow-up was uneventful and bone consolidation was achieved at 2,5 months postoperatively. The cortico-cancellous medial femoral condyle free flap is an interesting option for treating small and medium size bone loss in the hand and wrist. Its use in its pure bone form or in its chimeric form with muscle, cartilage or skin opens up a wide range of choices for the reconstructive surgeon.

Volar fracture dislocation of the 2nd metacarpal base associated with acute carpal tunnel syndrome: A case report.

Posttraumatic acute carpal tunnel syndrome is a not a usual complication in traumatic hand injuries but requires more urgent and aggressive management. Compression of the median nerve should be systematically sought when there is a major and painful swelling of the hand, associated with one or several hand and wrist fractures. In rare case, a single metacarpal fracture or dislocation can be the only cause of median nerve compression and requires urgent diagnosis. If missed or neglected irreversible damage could occur to the median nerve. If surgery is perform in a timely manner outcomes are excellent, with complete recovery in most of the cases. We present the case of a 24-year-old man with an acute compression of the median nerve due to an intra-articular fracture of the 2nd metacarpal base. A bony fragment shifting from the base of 2nd metacarpal was found in the carpal tunnel participating, at least in part, in the compression of the median nerve.

[Facelift under local anesthaesia in outpatient surgery]. / Le lifting du visage sous anesthésie locale en ambulatoire.

Facelift under local anesthesia: the author recounts his experience and methodology developed to operate facelift under local anesthesia in order to reduce operative morbidity and be able to operate persons who do not desire general anesthesia. The technique is based on the knowledge of the sensitive anatomy of the face as well as the practice of sensitive conduction blocks at the level of the face allowing to decrease the doses of local anesthetics.