Proximal Bilateral Arm Transplantation with Left Shoulder Reconstruction: Outcomes at 24 Months.

Background: Arm transplantation has been proposed as a valid therapeutic option for arm amputees. A bilateral arm transplantation including reconstruction of the left shoulder was performed on January 13, 2021 in Lyon (France). Methods: The recipient was a 48-year-old man with bilateral amputation at proximal arm level on both sides following an electric shock in 1998. He had received a liver transplant in 2002. The donor was a 35-year-old man. On the right side, the donor humerus was fixed on the remaining 9-cm-long proximal stump, and was reinforced with the donor fibula in an intramedullary fashion. On the left side, the whole donor humerus (including the humeral head) was transplanted with reconstruction of the gleno-humeral joint, including a suspension ligamentoplasty. The immunosuppressive protocol was based on antithymocyte globulins as induction therapy, and tacrolimus, steroids and mycophenolate mofetil as maintenance therapy. Results: Good bone healing and a well-positioned ligamentoplasty on the left side were achieved. At 2 years, the recipient was able to flex both elbows, and wrist extension, finger flexion, and extension were appreciated on both sides. Intrinsic muscle activity was detectable by electromyography during the eighth posttransplant month, and sensitivity was recovered. The patient is satisfied with his autonomy in some daily activities, but his greatest satisfaction is the recovery of his body image. Conclusions: These results confirm that it is possible to propose this transplantation to proximal-level arm amputees. The patients' information about risks and limits as well as their compliance and determination remain important prerequisites.

Recommendations for radiographic assessment of hand wounds.

A retrospective study of 945 hand patients was conducted to determine the relevance of systematic radiographic assessment. An osteoarticular lesion or a radiopaque foreign body was found in 34% of cases. The indications for radiographic assessment should be related to the mechanism of injury.

Defects of the sciatic nerve and its divisions treated by direct suturing in 90 degrees knee flexion: report on the first clinical series.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate functional results after treatment of large defects of the sciatic nerve and its divisions by direct nerve suturing in high knee flexion. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted in patients treated for lower extremity nerve defects between 2011 and 2019. Inclusion criteria were a defect > 2 cm with a minimal follow-up period of 2 years for the sciatic nerve and 1 year for its divisions. Nerve defects were bridged by an end-to-end suture with the knee flexed at 90° for 6 weeks. Functional results were assessed based on the Medical Research Council's grading system. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with a mean age of 27.6 years were included. They presented with seven sciatic nerve defects and ten division defects, including eight missile injuries. The mean time to surgery was 12.3 weeks and the mean nerve defect length was 5 cm. Overall, 21 nerve sutures were performed, with eight in the tibial distribution and 13 in the fibular distribution. Post-operatively, there was no significant knee stiffness related to the immobilization. The mean follow-up time was 24.5 months. Meaningful motor and sensory recovery were observed after 7 of 8 sutures in the tibial distribution and 11 of 13 sutures in the fibular distribution. A functional sural triceps muscle with protective sensibility of the sole was restored in all patients. There were no differences according to the injury mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Temporary knee flexion at 90° allows for direct coaptation of sciatic nerve defects up to 8 cm, with promising results no matter the level or mechanism of injury.

Extremity soft tissue coverage in the combat zone: use of pedicled flap transfers by the deployed orthopedic surgeon.

BACKGROUND: In theaters of operation, military orthopedic surgeons have to deal with complex open extremity injuries and perform soft-tissue reconstruction on local patients who cannot be evacuated. Our objective was to evaluate the outcomes and discuss practical issues regarding the use of pedicled flap transfers performed in the combat zone on local national patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on data from patients treated by a single orthopedic surgeon during four tours in Chad, Afghanistan and Mali between 2010 and 2017. All pedicled flap transfers performed on extremity soft-tissue defects were included, and two groups were analyzed: combat-related injuries (CRIs) and non-combat related injuries (NCRIs). RESULTS: Forty-one patients with a mean age of 25.6 years were included. In total, 46 open injuries required flap coverage: 19 CRIs and 27 NCRIs. Twenty of these injuries were infected. The mean number of prior debridements was significantly higher in the CRIs group. Overall, 63 pedicled flap transfers were carried out: 15 muscle flaps, 35 local fasciocutaneous flaps and 13 distant fasciocutaneous flaps. The flap types used did not differ for CRIs or NCRIs. Complications included one flap failure, one partial flap necrosis and six deep infections. At the mean follow-up time of 71 days, limb salvage had been successful in 38 of the 41 cases. There were no significant differences between CRIs and NCRIs in terms of endpoint assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfying results can be achieved by simple pedicled flaps performed by orthopedic surgeons deployed in forward surgical units. Most complications were related to failure of bone infection treatment. The teaching of such basic reconstructive procedures should be part of the training for any military orthopedic surgeon. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered on January 2019 (n°2019-090 1-001).

Soft tissue coverage of war extremity injuries: the use of pedicle flap transfers in a combat support hospital.

PURPOSE: Definitive management of extremity injuries including soft tissue coverage is seldom achieved in battlefield medical treatment facilities due to limited resources and operational constraints. The purpose of this study was to analyse the French Army Medical Service experience performing such reconstructive surgery in a Combat Support Hospital (CSH) in Afghanistan. METHODS: A clinical study was performed in the KaIA (Kabul International Airport) CSH from July 2012 to January 2013. RESULTS: During this period 23 Afghan patients treated for soft tissue coverage of combat-related extremity injuries were included. They totalled 28 extremity injuries including 18 blast trauma (BT) and ten non blast trauma (NBT). Overall, 35 extremity pedicled flaps were performed. There were 26 fasciocutaneous flaps, eight muscle flaps and one composite flap. Soft tissue coverage was achieved on all patients reviewed with a mean follow-up of 59 days. Five postoperative complications occurred including two deep infections, one partial flap necrosis and two flap failures, without difference according to injury mechanism. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of traumatic soft tissue defect can be achieved in CSHs for local nationals. Pedicle flap transfers provide simple and safe coverage for war extremity injuries in this challenging environment whatever the injury mechanism.

Septic nonunions of lower limb long bones: don't neglect Propionibacterium acnes!

We report 3 clinical cases of septic nonunions of lower limb long bones in which the pathogenicity of Propionibacterium acnes was retained after several weeks of poor outcome. The patients had fractures that were treated by internal fixation, without initially suspected infection. The diagnosis of delayed union coincided with the onset of treatment. Support was performed in 2 steps, allowing for the collection of several deep samples that were referred for microbiological analysis. Molecular techniques for microbiological investigation were performed on perioperative samples and were not contributive. The detection of P acnes, which was identified after several days of incubation, prompted us to consider the role of this bacterium. The presence of P acnes is regularly interpreted as contamination of samples during collection or handling in the laboratory. A multidisciplinary decision to make the diagnosis of surgical site infection with P acnes and specific antibiotic treatment for several months led to consolidation in all the patients. The ability of bacteria of the genus Propionibacterium to cause insidious surgical site infections should not be underestimated, and more extensive sample incubation is essential to diagnose such infections.

Accidental section of the ulnar nerve in the wrist during arthroscopy.

Arthroscopy of the wrist is a frequently performed procedure. Its role in diagnosis and treatment is significant. The complications of arthroscopy are well known and are described in the literature. We describe a case of accidental section of the ulnar nerve during repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex during arthroscopy. The nerve section was caused by the trocar used for drainage in the 6U portal. We propose to establish the injury mechanism and describe a safe procedure for this examination.

Phase I study of a candidate vaccine based on recombinant HIV-1 gp160 (MN/LAI) administered by the mucosal route to HIV-seronegative volunteers: the ANRS VAC14 study.

One goal of HIV vaccination is to achieve high mucosal levels of specific secretory IgA (SIgA). In order to elicit specific SIgA antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), a vaccine must be administered by the mucosal route, to the nasal or vaginal mucosa for example. We report here the results of the first phase I, randomized, open-label trial designed to assess the mucosal tolerability and immunogenicity of a candidate vaccine (recombinant protein HIV-1 gp160MN/LAI with or without DC-Chol adjuvant) administered by the nasal or vaginal route. Thirty-four female volunteers with a mean age of 46 years were vaccinated. There were 465 adverse events, of which 65 were considered related to the vaccine. No severe adverse events were related to the vaccine, and no difference in terms of tolerability was observed between the sites of vaccination or between the vaccine formulations. None of the volunteers reported that study participation affected their intimate or broader social relationships. No anti-gp160 activity was found between week 4 and week 48 in serum, saliva, or cervicovaginal and nasal secretions. These results show that a mucosal HIV vaccine can be well tolerated when administered by the nasal or vaginal route.

Facial nerve dysfunction after parotidectomy: the role of local factors.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to analyze the incidence and factors associated with facial nerve dysfunction after conservative parotidectomy with facial nerve dissection. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective unicentric study in a tertiary care center with prospective record of studied factors. METHODS: Over a 10-year period, 131 patients with normal facial nerve function underwent a superficial or total conservative parotidectomy with nerve dissection performed by one surgeon for primary benign or malignant tumors. Facial nerve function was assessed on the first postoperative day and at 1 month and 6 months after the parotidectomy. Extent of surgery, histopathological findings, tumor size, close contact of tumor with facial nerve, and sex and age of the patient were reviewed. These variables were studied in a chi2 statistical univariate and stratified analysis to determine their association with postoperative facial nerve dysfunction. RESULTS: Incidence of postoperative facial nerve dysfunction was 42.7% on the first postoperative day, 30.7% at 1 month after the parotidectomy, and 0% at 6 months after the parotidectomy. The most common dysfunction was paresis in a single nerve branch (48.2%), in particular, the marginal mandibular branch. Total parotidectomy was associated with a significantly higher incidence of facial nerve dysfunction during the first postoperative period (60.5% at day 1 and 44.7% at month 1) than superficial parotidectomy (18.2% at day 1 and 10.9% at month 1) (P < .001). In patients with total parotidectomy, close contact of the tumor with the facial nerve was found to have statistical causal relation with facial nerve weakness. In patients with superficial parotidectomy, inflammatory conditions were found as factors that increased postoperative facial nerve dysfunction. CONCLUSION: In the study series of conservative parotidectomies with facial nerve dissection, only extent of surgery and particular local conditions of nerve dissection, especially the close contact of tumor with facial nerve and inflammatory conditions, were found to be associated with postoperative facial nerve dysfunction.