The junctura lasso: correction of extensor tendon displacement.

Recurrent volar displacement of the extensor digitorum communis tendon (EDC) at the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) more commonly occurs post-trauma or in the rheumatoid hand. This disabling condition of the hand results in painful swelling of the MCPJ, associated with "locking" of the extensor tendon. We report a simple surgical technique used to successfully 'secure' the EDC from recurrent displacement. This was performed for a 59-year-old man who developed the condition in his ring finger, following Vth ray amputation for severe Dupuytren's disease. First, the EDC over the IIIrd and IVth MCPJ are exposed using a longitudinal incision. The junctura tendinum between the EDC tendons was next extended proximally by 2 cm on the radial side of the IVth EDC and then divided to create a distally based junctura slip. Next, a 'lasso' was created by passing the slip beneath the IVth EDC tendon and then securing it onto itself with a 5/0 Ethibond suture (Ethicon Inc.). This reconstruction was then tested in all ranges of MCPJ flexion, successfully preventing volar displacement of the extensor tendon. The 'junctura lasso' provided a satisfactory solution for the patient, who, over the next four years; for the duration of his follow-up, suffered no further displacement of the extensor tendon.

Evaluation of hyperdynamic resuscitation in 60% TBSA burn-injured sheep.

It has been suggested that hyperdynamic (HD) resuscitation improves outcomes. We hypothesized that initial HD resuscitation of burn injury using fluid and inotropes would improve metabolic function as indicated by base excess. We used an anesthetized ovine model of 60% TBSA full-thickness flame burn with delayed resuscitation started at 90 min after burn and continued for 8 h. Three groups (n = 6 each) were included: 1) HD defined as cardiac index (CI) of 1.5x baseline achieved by using Ringer's lactate alone (HD-Fluid); 2) Ringer's lactate and dobutamine (HD-Drug); and 3) Parkland Formula (Parkland) as a control group. Statistical analysis performed using analysis of variance and Tukey's HSD test. Significance accepted at P < 0.05. Higher CI was achieved in both HD-Fluid and HD-Drug groups, e.g., at 8 h the CI was 4.6 +/- 0.4 and 4.7 +/- 0.6 L/min/m respectively, as compared with Parkland 3.6 +/- 0.5 L/min/m. The net fluid balance (fluid infused - urine output) was similar in both Parkland and HD-Drug groups, which were 2.5x more in HD-Fluid (P = 0.001). The mean postburn urinary outputs were similar in both Parkland and HD-Drug groups, e.g., Parkland (0.9 +/- 0.08 mL/kg/h), HD-Drug (1.0 +/- 0.2 mL/kg/h) and increased in HD-Fluid (3.7 +/- 1.0 mL/kg/h; P = 0.0005). Base excess remained positive in both HD-Drug (+2.5 +/- 1 mmol/L) and Parkland (+1.5 +/- 1.7 mmol/L), and declined to -4.0 +/- 3.6 mmol/L in HD-Fluid group (P = 0.036). We conclude that there may be no benefit to using hyperdynamic regimens for the initial resuscitation of burn injury.

Recombinant human growth hormone increases thyroid hormone-binding sites in recovering severely burned children.

Thyroxine (T4), Tri-iodothyronine (T3), and total serum protein levels are reduced in severely burned children. T4 and T3 are carried on serum transport proteins via thyroid hormone-binding sites (THBS). Treatment of bums with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) increases albumin (Alb) and prealbumin (PreAlb), which bind nearly 30% of circulating T4 and T3. This study investigated the effect of rhGH on THBS sites in burned children. Records of 11 acutely burned children with a total body surface area burned >40% who were randomized to either a daily subcutaneous injection of rhGH at 0.05 mg/kg/day or placebo for 6 months after discharge from hospital were reviewed. Thyroxine uptake percentage (TU%), Total T4 levels (TT4), free thyroxine index, Alb and PreAlb, and height and weight measurements taken at discharge and 6 months later were compared in both groups. In the six children who received rhGH, mean TU% had decreased from 41 +/- 1 to 33 +/- 1% by 6 months postdischarge, (P < 0.001), mean TT4 increased from 5.8 +/- 0.3 to 8.1 +/- 0.8 microg/dL, (P < 0.02), mean Alb increased from 2.0 +/- (0.6) to 3.5 +/- (0.1) g/dL (P < 0.0001), and mean PreAlb increased from 8.7 +/- 0.7 to 16.5 +/- 2.1 mg/dL, (P < 0.006). There were no significant changes in the five children in the placebo (control group), and height and weight did not significantly change in either group. rhGH significantly increases THBS in severely burned children, possibly through increases in serum Alb and PreAlb. The increases in circulating thyroxine observed in this group may be involved in the attenuation of growth arrest.

Isoflurane but not mechanical ventilation promotes extravascular fluid accumulation during crystalloid volume loading.

BACKGROUND: The combination of isoflurane anesthesia and mechanical ventilation reduces urinary output and promotes redistribution of a crystalloid bolus into the extravascular space. The authors hypothesized that mechanical ventilation rather than isoflurane causes this alteration. METHODS: The fate of a 25-ml/kg, 20-min, 0.9% saline fluid bolus was studied in four different experiments per sheep: while conscious and spontaneously ventilating (CSV), while conscious and mechanically ventilated (CMV), while anesthetized with isoflurane and mechanical ventilated (ISOMV), and while anesthetized with isoflurane and spontaneously ventilating (ISOSV). RESULTS: By calculations based on the indicator dilution and mass balance principles, plasma expansion was similar between protocols. Isoflurane but not mechanical ventilation reduced urinary output and increased interstitial fluid volume (P < 0.001): At 180 min, mean total urinary outputs were 15.6 +/- 2.1 and 15.9 +/- 2.9 ml/kg in the CSV and CMV protocols and 2.7 +/- 0.6 and 3.1 +/- 1.1 ml/kg in the ISOSV and ISOMV protocols, respectively. The net changes in extravascular volume, assumed to be interstitial fluid volume, were 8.6 +/- 3.3 and 8.1 +/- 3.1 ml/kg, and 22.5 +/- 1.5 and 22.1 +/- 1.6 ml/kg in the corresponding protocols. Volume kinetic analysis demonstrated extravascular fluid accumulation associated with isoflurane anesthesia similar to the calculated interstitial accumulation of 20.2 +/- 0.5 and 26.5 +/- 0.3 ml/kg in the ISOSV and ISOMV protocols, respectively. CONCLUSION: Isoflurane, but not mechanical ventilation, decreased urinary excretion and increased interstitial fluid volume. Volume kinetic analysis indicated "third-space" losses due to isoflurane. Perioperative fluid retention may be associated not only with surgical tissue manipulation, but with anesthesia per se.