Ulna-Shortening Osteotomy: Outcome and Repercussion of the Distal Radioulnar Joint Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Ulnocarpal impaction syndrome occurs mostly in patients with positive ulnar variance. Ulnar-shortening osteotomy is a commonly used method to correct it, but degenerative changes may appear in the distal radioulnar joint. The authors evaluated outcome after ulnar-shortening osteotomy, particularly the impact of distal radioulnar joint osteoarthritis. METHODS: A 10-year study was performed of patients who underwent ulnar-shortening osteotomy. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were available for clinical examination and radiography. Twenty-nine wrists showed worsening or new osteoarthritis. A difference of preulnar variance and resection was noted: 4.64 mm and 4.48 mm, respectively, in the osteoarthritis group versus 3.50 mm and 3.38 mm in the group without osteoarthitis. Comparison of patients with osteoarthritis revealed a significant limitation of range of motion in flexion-extension (p = 0.009) and pronosupination (p = 0.028): 102 degrees and 138 degrees, respectively, in the osteroarthritis group versus 124 degrees and 155 degreees in the group without osterarthritis. The type of distal radioulnar joint differed significantly (p = 0.038), with a predominance of type I in the osterarthritis group and type II in the group without osterarthritis. Functional outcome was significantly worse in the osterarthritis group versus the group without osteoarthritis concerning the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score (39.07 versus 22.59, p = 0.031), the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score (27.38 versus 19.59, p = 0.017), and the modified Gartland-Werley score (76.72 versus 85.14, p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Ulnar-shortening osteotomy modifies the congruence of the distal radioulnar joint, and the type I joint may be at increased risk of arthrosis. Osteoarthritis has a clinical impact, and the amount of ulnar shortening should be limited to what is needed to avoid altering the functional outcome. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Satisfaction and complications after lower body lift with autologous gluteal augmentation by island fat flap: 55 case series over 3 years.

BACKGROUND: Major weight loss causes body deformities. Lower circumferential dermolipectomy with autologous gluteal augmentation by a fat island flap can restore a part of the body contour, but this procedure is associated with a high incidence of complications. The aim of this study was to analyse the benefit/risk ratio and the patients' satisfaction. METHODS: All patients who underwent this procedure at the Nancy University Hospital over a 3-year period (between January 2010 and 2013) were reviewed; the complications were analysed and the patients' satisfaction rated. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were included with a mean age of 41.0 years. The average body mass index of the patients was 28.2 kg/m² with a mean weight of 76.8 kg at the time of the procedure and a mean weight reduction of 49.6 kg. The mean operative time was 4.85 h. The average hospital stay was 6.1 days. The average haemoglobin loss was 3.0 g/dl, and 12 (21.8%) patients required a blood transfusion. Of the total number of patients, 22 (40%) developed at least one complication, including six (10.9%) major complications. Fifty-two patients answered the questionnaire; 49 (94.2%) patients would go through this procedure again. The overall satisfaction was rated as excellent by 29 (55.8%) patients and as pleasing by 22 (42.3%). The outcome was judged as excellent or pleasing for the abdomen by 29 (55.8%) and 20 (38.35%) patients, respectively, and for the buttocks by 17 (32.7%) and 29 (55.8%) patients, respectively. The quality of life was rated better after than before the intervention by 49 (94.2%) patients. CONCLUSION: Despite a high complication rate, the majority of patients confirmed that they would opt for this procedure again, showing an improvement in their quality of life with an aesthetic and functional benefit. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.