Sensitive peripheral nerve repair during COVID-19 emergency: does the outpatient surgical setting work as well as the operating theater?

Background: Nerve injuries are a common occurrence among hand injuries, which at the time of the COVID-19 emergency, did not appear to have reduced their incidence. The treatment of these injuries is urgent, but the pandemic has led to a reduction in the availability of resources and a consequent reorganization of activities. Principles about Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) in hand surgery expressed by LaLonde helped hand surgeons to adapt to this new condition by demonstrating a possible outpatient pathway for the treatment of hand traumatic conditions. In the present study, we bring our experience in nerve repair at time of COVID-19 emergency. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled in this study all patients surgically treated for a peripheral nerve injury (PNI) during the COVID-19 emergency period from March 2020 to March 2022. Demographical, anamnestic, surgical, and postoperative data were recorded and analyzed. Persisting Tinel was set as the primary outcome, while hypoesthesia and other complications as secondary outcomes. Results: Thirty-six patients have been enrolled. Despite some difference in group homogeneity in term of hypertension and multi-digital involvement, we registered no difference in term of outcomes (P > 0.05) between patient operated in surgical theater and in outpatient clinic and between the various techniques of nerve repair employed (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Nerve repair on an outpatient facility is technically feasible and was found in this study to be safe and effective. Compared to hospitalization, the outpatient setting has a more "agile" organization and lower costs, making it preferable in selected cases.Level of evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic.

Association of Acute Trapeziometacarpal Joint Dislocation and Trapezium Fracture in a 14-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report.

Fracture-dislocation of the trapeziometacarpal (TM) joint in adolescent patients is a rare injury, with only 3 cases reported in literature to our knowledge. Its low incidence, together with the complexity of the anatomy and biomechanics of TM joint, may represent a challenge for surgeons in choosing the best treating option. Here, we report a case of a TM fracture dislocation in a 14-year-old boy treated with percutaneous Kirschner wire pinning. The results we obtained endorsed our choice in patients for whom closed reduction is achievable.

Dorsally and volarly angulated extra-articular malunions of the distal radius treated with volar corrective osteotomy and volar locking plate fixation. A case series of 19 patients with a long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To date, different technique of corrective osteotomy for the treatment of distal radius extra-articular malunions are described. With this study, we present a case series of corrective osteotomy using volar plate fixation to treat volar and dorsal extra-articular malunions aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of corrective osteotomies through volar plate stabilization in these two types of extra-articular malunions. METHODS: Between August 2008 and May 2017 all patients diagnosed with extra-articular malunion were included in the study. An extended volar Orbay approach and two types of dedicated volar locking plate (Medartis AG, Switzerland and Acumed, Hillsboro,OR) were used. Clinical and radiological parameters were evaluated. The DASH and PRWE scores and the VAS scale questionnaires were administered. The results were analyzed through statistical evaluations. RESULTS: A retrospective analysis of 19 patients diagnosed with extra-articular malunion was carried out. Nine had a volar type deformity (group A), while the other 10 had a dorsal type deformity (group B). The active range of motion (aROM), radiographic parameters, grip strength and pinches in both groups were statistically improved, except for radial deviation in both groups, ulnar deviation in group A, and radial inclination in group B.  The grip strength and pinches values were slightly better in group A. DASH, PRWE scores and VAS scale showed a significant improvement. CONCLUSION: Corrective osteotomy through volar fixation is an effective technique to treat both extra-articular dorsally and volarly angulated malunions. Statistically significant benefits are present in both types of deformities, with better outcomes in the group of volar deformities.

Fragment specific fixation with APTUS wrist system for volar rim fractures of the distal radius: a multicentric study.

PURPOSE: Volar rim fractures of the distal radius are a spectrum of pathology that must be well identified and treated to achieve good outcomes and avoid surgical failures. New devices of fragment specific fixation have been developed during the last decades to fix this fragment. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the ability of APTUS® wrist distal radius system to securely fix different types of volar rim fractures. METHODS: Patients with at least 1 year of follow-up and a preoperative CT-scan evaluation of the fracture pattern were included in the study. Clinical, radiological and functional outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients with an average follow-up of 34, 1 months (12-61) were included in the study. There were no clinical and radiological complications, including loss of reduction, device failure and tendon ruptures. No patients required hardware removal. Wrist range of motion in flexion-extension averaged 96°, while in pronation-supination 144°. At final follow-up mean visual analogue scale pain was 1,8. Questionnaires, as dissabilities of the arm, shouldder and hand (DASH) score and patient-related wrist evolution (PRWE) score were 6,6 and 3 respectively. Grip strenght measured 86% compared to the normal side. CONCLUSION: APTUS® wrist presents a versatile set of fragment specific fixation plates able to easily and securely fix all types of volar rim fracture. The system can be used with other devices without any kind of interference between them. When correctly placed and used with the right indications, no late complications can be recorded.

Outcomes of 173 metacarpal and phalangeal fractures treated by intramedullary headless screw fixation with a 4-year follow-up.

Surgical treatment of extra-articular metacarpal and phalangeal fractures should be considered when there is instability or in patients with high demand. To overcome the issues related to the use of Kirschner wires, external fixators, and open reduction and internal fixation procedures, intramedullary headless screw fixation (IHSF) is an alternative technique to achieve primary fracture stability and early return to daily activities. We report the data of the Italian Multicentric Intra-Medullary Experience, which includes 173 cases of extra-articular unstable fractures (38 phalanges and 135 metacarpals) treated with the IHSF. After surgery, patients underwent early mobilization without splinting. The results confirm the reliability of IHSF in cases with non-articular involvement, showing a good recovery rate in terms of bone healing and range of motion.Level of evidence: IV.

Induced membrane technique for the treatment of severe acute tibial bone loss: preliminary experience at medium-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: Management of acute open tibial fractures with critical bone defect remains a challenge in trauma surgery. Few and heterogeneous cases have been reported about the treatment with the induced membrane technique. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated three patients treated with the induced membrane technique for acute Gustilo IIIB tibial fractures with critical bone defect. Success treatment was defined by bone union with patient pain free. Clinical and radiological evaluations were performed regularly until healing, then annually and with a minimum follow-up of five years. RESULTS: In all patients but one, a success was recorded, respectively, at four and six months. These two patients were pain free until the final follow-up, and no graft resorption or secondary complications related to the index surgery were observed. The third case was managed successfully with a bone transport technique. CONCLUSION: The induced membrane technique is an alternative good option for the treatment of these severe lesions.

Treatment of Radial Nonunion with Corticocancellous Bone Graft and Fascia of Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap: The Wrap Technique.

The management of nonunion of the forearm bones is a challenging task. Multiple factors have been associated with the establishment of forearm nonunion, such as the fracture position and complexity, general condition of the patient, and the previously utilized surgical technique. The optimal surgical treatment of a bone gap remains a subject of discussion. Autogenous corticocancellous bone grafts and vascularized bone flaps have been used with differing results. The authors describe a technique for the treatment of posttraumatic nonunion of the radius with a 5-cm bone gap using the free anterolateral thigh fascial flap wrapped around a tricortical iliac bone graft. The fracture healed after 5 weeks. The use of a vascularized tissue wrapped around the bone graft resulted in a well-healed bone and no signs of resorption after 2 years of follow-up. A bone graft wrapped by a fascial flap could magnify the restorative effect on the bone defect because of its dual role of constructing vascularization and inducing tissue regeneration.

Masquelet technique for the treatment of a severe acute tibial bone loss.

The "induced membrane" technique described by Masquelet has been used successfully for many years for posttraumatic bone defect reconstruction, non-unions and osteomyelitis. The main advantages are the two-step surgical procedure that in case of primary infection allows repeated debridement if necessary, in case of internal fixation early weight bearing with decreased malalignment risk and it has a short learning curve. A theoretical application of this procedure is the management of acute severe traumatic bone loss of the limbs despite the lack of this experience in literature. We report on a Gustilo IIIB meta-epiphyseal fracture (AO 43-C3) of the leg with a 6 cm in length bone loss that was treated with the Masquelet technique.

Clinical applications of growth factors in bone injuries: experience with BMPs.

The management of open fractures and delayed or non unions continue to be complicated by high rates of treatment failure and significant patient disability and dissatisfaction. The use of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the treatment of these injuries has been assessed by several authors. BMPs induce the process of bone healing by recruiting bone-forming cells to the area of lesion. The use of BMP currently has two FDA-approved indications: treatment of open tibial fractures treated with intramedullary fixation and treatment of tibia long bone non-union. Despite this limited target, off-label BMP use continues to push the spectrum for new applications. This review describes the current evidence for the use of BMPs in open fractures and non-unions.

Computer-based assessment and classification of periacetabular osteolytic lesions: A new method.

Although it is currently the gold standard for the treatment of primary and secondary coxarthrosis, total hip arthroplasty is associated with long-time complications, primarily, polyethylene liner wear, and production of debris that lead to peri-prosthetic osteolysis and resultant aseptic mobilization. (The definition of these osteolytic areas is based on a radiographic classification first described by DeLee and Charnley in 1976.) We introduce a new radiographic classification method, based on the well-known measuring software Roman v.170 (Cook e Poullain [2002-2005, Institute of Orthopaedics, Oswestry, U.K.]) that is designed to quantify radiologic parameters. Two case studies are also described. This original method can be easily employed, and returns a precise angular classification of the position of the osteolytic area and a computerized calculation of the extent of the osteolytic lesion.

Total hip arthroplasty and bone fragility.

The number of elderly people is steadily increasing: in the United States it will increase from 12.9% to 20% in 2030 with respect to the total population. Italy, with UK, Denmark and Sweden are the countries with the largest number of octogenarians (about 4% of the population) and it is estimated that this rate will increase by 300% over the next 50 years. The number of people affected by osteoarthritis will increase significantly and therefore the number of total hip arthroplasties will progressively increase. The success of an implant depends firstly by a flawless surgical technique, a correct and stable implant fixation and an optimal preoperative planning that should consider the bone quality of the patient, in order to choose a proper implant design. Different approaches could be followed to achieve adequate fixation: northern Europe surgeons prefer the cemented implant, instead American orthopedics generally use systems that allow a direct biological osteointegration. Elderly patients often present with multiple local and general problems that could affect significantly the normal course of a prosthetic surgery procedure and its results: they have bone tissue changes that lead to increased bone fragility and, consequently, difficulties to obtain primary stability. Osteoporotic bone is characterized by reduction of bone mass, decrease of cancellous bone trabeculae and by increased porosity of cortical bone. The bone fragility implies a greater risk of iatrogenic intraoperative fractures. Furthermore, difficulties linked to bone stock deficiencies become even more significant in revision surgery, where cortical bone thinning is associated with enlargement of the isthmus thus making more difficult to obtain distal fixation of prosthetic stems. At the moment, the role played by the drugs used for the treatment of osteoporosis during implant osteointegration is still not clearly understood and is still under investigation.

Femoral revision with taper stems: results at ten years follow-up.

In the case of extensively damaged meta-diaphyseal femoral bone with cortices thinning and widened femoral canal, tapered stems allow a good primary fixation and early weight-bearing. A retrospective review was conducted to evaluate long-term results of modular revision taper stems implanted from March 1999 to December 2002. Sixty-five consecutive hip revision surgeries were performed, mostly for aseptic loosening (75% of the cases). Femoral bone stock defects were classified according to AAOS's criteria and consisted mainly in type II (cavitary defects, 44.6%) and type III (combined defects, 33.9%). A trochanteric osteotomy was performed in 25 cases (38%) to remove primary implants that were cemented in 35 cases (54%). The mean postoperative follow-up was 109 months (range, 76 to 131 months). Clinical assessment at follow-up showed a significantly improved mean Harris Hip Score from 42 points preoperatively to 81 points postoperatively, while the x-ray examination did show a satisfactory distal integration of the stem in all cases and satisfactory reconstitution of the femoral bone stock in 47% of cases. The average subsidence of the stem at follow-up was less than one millimeter. According to data analysis, a leg-length discrepancy exceeding 15 millimeters caused significantly worse functional outcome and pain.