[Results of rheumatoid wrist surgery (arthrodesis excepted): 16 patients with more than 20 year follow-up]. / Devenir à plus de 20 ans de recul des poignets rhumatoïdes opérés (arthrodèses exclues).

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The absence of a medical treatment capable of successfully arresting joint destruction due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) leaves a large domain for surgical treatment. The purpose of our work was to determine whether a clinical benefit persists in the long term (more than 20 years) despite aggravation of the radiological lesions, after surgical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with RA (13 women and 3 men, mean age 65 years), were reviewed a mean 24.8 years (range 20-33 years) after wrist surgery. Twenty-four wrists were operated for dorsal synovectomy (n=18) and Swanson radiocarpal implant (n=6). Total arthrodeses were excluded. Clinical, functional and standard and stress x-ray data were collected at last follow-up. RESULTS: Residual pain at last follow-up in wrists which had undergone dorsal synovectomy was scored 3.1/10 on the VAS versus 5.6 preoperatively. Three-quarters of the patients stated they were satisfied with the intervention despite very weak force. Revision surgery was required in eight patients after dorsal synovectomy including three which required resection of the ulnar head, left in place after the first surgery, and three for removal of a silicon implant of the ulnar head. This implant was rapidly abandoned in our unit (as in other units). The radiological status worsened in all wrists over time, despite synovectomy. For the Swanson radiocarpal implant, residual pain was only 0.5/10 versus 6.7 preoperatively. Four implants fractured and four developed radiological signs of siliconitis with not clinical expression. Despite these complications, five of the six patients felt favorably about their intervention and the mean Leclerc function score was 78/100. Flexion-extension was 56 degrees on average. The main complaint was the lack of force. CONCLUSION: There is a discordance between radiological and clinical results, a difference which widens with longer follow-up. A clear improvement in the pain score and the moderate functional demands of these patients are probably the reasons for their satisfaction despite radiological degradation. Many desire more wrist force. Our indications have evolved over time with the development after 1980 of the radiolunar arthrodesis procedures that we associate with dorsal synovectomy even in early-stage patients in order to limit radiological degradation and ulnar translation of the carpus. Swanson radiocarpal implants were completely abandoned in 1987 despite favorable clinical results due to the radiological degradation with bone loss and risk of siliconitis. For Simmen III wrists, total arthrodesis remains the only sure and definitive solution.

[Treatment of blast injuries of the hand]. / Mains de "blast": stratégie thérapeutique.

INTRODUCTION: Blast injuries of the hand result from the manipulation of handmade explosives, the blast causes most damage in the first web. Our purpose is to propose a classification of these injuries so as to lead to a therapeutic strategy. METHOD: We report a series of nine blast injuries of the hand in eight patients of average age 24 years. The aetiologie was handmade explosive manufacture (five cases) and the manipulation of munitions (four cases). Five hands presented an amputation of the thumb together with the index and in three of them, the long finger was involved as well. Only one thumb was revascularised successfully. Four thumbs were reconstructed, two by toe transfer, and two by "index bank". DISCUSSION: We observed four different stages: Stage 1: Isolated musculo-cutaneous injury. An intermetacarpal pin avoids first web contracture. Skin coverage is achieved by a pedicled local flap or a skin graft. Stage 2: Osteo-articular injuries of the thumb and second ray but sparing the trapezo-metacarpal joint. The thumb reconstruction is often based upon rinciple. Stage 3: Characterised by a destructive injury of the trapezo-metacarpal joint. Stage 4: Amputation or devascularization of the thumb. Extensive vascular injuries neccessitate a bypass from a healthy zone. The amputations, which are mostly proximal, require a preliminary osteocutaneous reconstruction of the first metacarpal before any toe transfer. Finger translocations are made difficult because of the high rate of serious injuries of the index and palm.