Failed Trapeziectomy Treated by Thumb Metacarpal Base Arthrodesis: A Case Series.

Trapeziometacarpal joint arthritis is a prevalent condition with a preponderance to women. Most cases are asymptomatic, but typical symptoms are pain, reduced dexterity, and functional decline. Trapeziectomy is the most common surgical treatment in the United Kingdom for patients who remain significantly symptomatic despite nonoperative measures, and this generally produces acceptable outcomes; however, a proportion of patients remain significantly symptomatic. The authors present a case series of 4 patients who underwent successful thumb metacarpal base to index metacarpal base arthrodesis with either distal radial or iliac crest bone grafting. Three of these patients had persisting symptoms after a primary trapeziectomy and 1 patient had gross subluxation of the thumb related to rheumatoid arthritis. Technically, this is a simple procedure to perform. All patients had improved symptoms with satisfactory functional outcomes and an improved cosmetic appearance of the hand.

Endovascular management of a penetrating abdominal aortic injury.

Penetrating aortic trauma is associated with high mortality rates. We report the case of a 24-year-old man who presented with a self-inflicted abdominal aortic penetration injury, resulting in a pseudoaneurysm. Rather uniquely, he was managed through prophylactic stenting to his abdominal aorta; this case was also rare in that there were remarkably no associated visceral injuries. Stenting was preferred because of risks of an aortic graft in a young man. A 14-mm Atrium Advanta™ stent was deployed, and angiography confirmed adequate exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm. He had no complications at follow-up.