What factors do patients consider when choosing a hand surgeon?

This study evaluated what patients consider in choosing a surgeon. A survey was given to 303 patients. Most found their hand surgeon through a medical or family/friend referral (p < .05). Surgeon credentials and accepted insurance were statistically more likely to be rated first (p<.001). We recommend educating referring physicians about our practices.

Outcomes of Darrach and Sauvé-Kapandji Procedures: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: To review the available literature on Darrach and Sauvé-Kapandji (SK) procedures and perform a systematic review to identify differences in clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that SK would have a higher complication rate without significant clinical benefit. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS (from inception to January 2020) to identify studies evaluating outcomes of Darrach and SK procedures. Primary outcome measures included the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score, range of motion, grip strength, complications, and overall satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 103 articles were identified and screened, and of these, 44 full-text articles were used for data extraction and qualitative analysis. Outcomes were similar for QuickDASH scores, grip strength, and range of motion, as was overall satisfaction. Specifically, satisfaction rates for stabilized SK and Darrach procedures in patients without rheumatoid arthritis were comparable at 70.2% and 72.6%, respectively. Average QuickDASH scores were similar (21 for Darrach and 29 for SK). Mechanical symptoms due to stump instability occur with either procedure but were higher with the Darrach procedure (12.5% compared with 6.8%). The SK had more surgery-related complications such as nonunions (2.3%), symptomatic hardware, and reoperations (6.8% compared with 3.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Both Darrach and SK procedures provide comparable satisfaction rates regardless of the underlying pathology. Improvement in range of motion, strength, and overall function is similar for both procedures; however, the reoperation rate is higher with SK.

Side-to-side supercharging nerve allograft enhances neurotrophic potential.

INTRODUCTION: Critical limitations of processed acellular nerve allograft (PNA) are linked to Schwann cell function. Side-to-side bridge grafting may enhance PNA neurotrophic potential. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent tibial nerve transection and immediate repair with 20-mm PNA (n = 33) or isograft (ISO; n = 9) or 40-mm PNA (n = 33) or ISO (n = 9). Processed acellular nerve allograft groups received zero, one, or three side-to-side bridge grafts between the peroneal nerve and graft. Muscle weight, force generation, and nerve histomorphology were tested 20 weeks after repair. Selected animals underwent neuron back labeling with fluorescent dyes. RESULTS: Inner axon diameters, g-ratios, and axon counts were smaller in the distal vs proximal aspect of each graft (P < .05). Schwann cell counts were greater, with a lower proportion of senescent cells for groups with bridges (P < .05). Retrograde labeling demonstrated that 6.6% to 17.7% of reinnervating neurons were from the peroneal pool. DISCUSSION: Bridge grafting positively influenced muscle recovery and Schwann cell counts and senescence after long PNA nerve reconstruction.

Acute post-operative airway complications following anterior cervical spine surgery and the role for cricothyrotomy.

Anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS) is a common procedure, but not without its own risks and complications. Complications that can cause airway compromise occur infrequently, but can rapidly lead to respiratory arrest, leading to severe morbidity or death. Knowing emergent post-operative airway management including surgical airway placement is critical. We aim to review the different etiologies of post-operative airway compromise following ACSS, the predictable timeline in which they occur, and the most appropriate treatment and management for each. We place special emphasis on the timing and proper surgical technique for an emergent cricothyrotomy. Angioedema is seen the earliest as a cause of post-operative airway compromise, typically within 6-12 hours. Retropharyngeal hematomas can be seen between 6-24 hours, most commonly within 12 hours. Pharyngolaryngeal edema is seen within 24-72 hours. After 72 hours, retropharyngeal abscess is the most likely etiology. Several studies have utilized delayed extubation protocols following ACSS based on patient risk factors and found reduced postoperative airway complications and reintubation rates. The administration of perioperative corticosteroids continues to be controversial with high-level studies recommending both for and against their use. Animal studies showed that after cardiac arrest, the brain can recover if oxygenation is restored within 5 minutes, but this time is likely shorter with asphyxia prior to cardiac arrest. Experience and training are essential to reduce the time for successful cricothyrotomy placement. Physicians must be prepared to diagnose and treat acute postoperative airway complications following ACSS to prevent anoxic brain injury or death. If emergent intubation cannot be accomplished on the first attempt, physicians should not delay placement of a surgical airway such as cricothyrotomy.

Case report: Acute cubital tunnel syndrome in a hemophiliac patient.

A 24-year-old right-hand dominant male with severe Hemophilia A presented with acute elbow pain, associated paresthesias, and weakness in the ulnar nerve distribution after upper body weight lifting. In the week prior, he missed three doses of Factor VIII replacement. After no improvement with conservative measures, he was taken to the operating room urgently for decompression and was noted to have a perineural hematoma in the cubital tunnel. At final follow-up, the patient reported complete resolution of symptoms. Acute cubital tunnel syndrome in hemophiliac patients that does not respond to medical treatment is best treated with surgical decompression using minimal dissection to prevent hematoma formation, preserve perineural membranous tissue, and avoid destabilizing the nerve.

Complex proximal ulna fractures: outcomes of surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND: To review the results of plating of various fracture patterns of proximal ulna fractures including isolated olecranon fractures, olecranon fractures combined with a coronoid fracture, and olecranon fractures combined with a coronoid and radial head fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 38 patients with either an isolated olecranon fracture or combined injuries, all treated with open reduction and internal fixation of the olecranon. Other procedures were performed as needed, including radial head fixation or arthroplasty, fixation of the coronoid, and repair of the lateral collateral ligament complex. There were 27 men and 11 women with an average age of 49 years. Clinical and radiographic assessment was obtained at an average follow-up time of 15 and 8.4 months, respectively. RESULTS: All fractures healed within 5 months. The average arc of ulnohumeral motion was 91° (range 0°-140°); average pronation-supination arc was 128° (range 0°-180°). Subgroup analysis showed a statistically significant lower rotational motion arc in patients with associated radial head (73°) or coronoid fractures (68°) compared to isolated olecranon fractures. All other parameters including ulnohumeral motion, complication rate, and revision rate were similar among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A stable, functional elbow can be restored in most patients with proximal ulna fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Loss of full flexion is likely with high-energy trauma, complex fracture patterns, and concomitant injuries. Fracture patterns involving the coronoid and/or the radial head are associated with restricted forearm rotation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Outcomes of distal humerus diaphyseal injuries fixed with a single-column anatomic plate.

PURPOSE: The locking compression extra-articular distal humerus plate (EADHP) is an anatomically shaped, angular stable single-column fixation system for distal third humerus fractures. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation of distal humerus fractures with this device. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive patients with distal humerus fractures were treated with the EADHP system between February 2006 and June 2012. Of these, 19 were clinically and radiographically evaluated after a mean follow-up of 10.4 months. Follow-up assessment included anteroposterior and lateral radiographs, assessment of range of motion (ROM), pain according to a visual analogue scale (VAS) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. RESULTS: All fractures demonstrated satisfactory reduction and healing at an average of 7.3 months. One patient showed post-operative sensory ulnar neuropathy that recovered completely, and nine patients had a preoperative radial nerve palsy, which recovered spontaneously following exploration and plating. Mean post-operative ROM was as follows: flexion 126°, extension -7°, pronation 82° and supination 83°. The VAS score was zero points in eight patients, while the mean DASH score was 25.8 points. CONCLUSIONS: For extra-articular distal humerus fractures, including high-energy injuries often seen in gunshot wounds or motor vehicle injuries, the anatomically shaped angular stable single-column plate provides satisfactory clinical and radiographic results and serves as a valuable tool in the treatment of these injuries.

Treatment of dorsal perilunate dislocations and fracture-dislocations using a standardized protocol.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to evaluate the associated injuries occurring with acute perilunate instability and to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of perilunate dislocations and fracture-dislocations treated with a combined dorsal and volar approach. METHODS: A total of 45 patients (46 wrist injuries) with perilunate dislocations and fracture-dislocations were prospectively evaluated. The size of the mid-carpal ligament tear, the location of the scapholunate ligament tear, and the presence of osteochondral fragments and of the dorsal radiocarpal ligament avulsions were recorded at injury. Final clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated in 25 cases (25 wrists) with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Intraoperative examination of the 46 cases with operative treatment showed the volar carpal ligament tear to be present 100 % of the time and to be an average length of 3.4 cm. Complete avulsion of the dorsal extrinsic radiocarpal ligaments was found in 65.2 % of cases. The scapholunate ligament was torn in 35 cases. Osteochondral fragments were found either volarly or dorsally in 74 % of the cases. The average flexion-extension arc was 82°, forearm rotation was 155°, and grip strength averaged 59 % of the uninjured hand. The average final scapholunate angle was 55° and the scapholunate gap was 2.2 mm. CONCLUSION: Treatment of perilunate fracture-dislocations with a combined volar and dorsal approach results in reasonable and functional clinical results. The incidence of associated injuries with these carpal dislocations is high. Although the perilunate fracture-dislocations have a slightly better radiologic alignment than the dislocation group, the clinical outcome is similar.