Long-term results of the AptisTM total distal radioulnar joint prosthesis after previous failed surgical procedures.

We present a prospective study with the results of ten Aptis total distal radioulnar joint replacements in patients who had one to five previous operations. The mean postoperative follow-up was 9.7 years (range 3-14.7). The mean postoperative range of motion of the wrist improved by 9° for extension, 15° for flexion, 10° for pronation and 14° for supination, achieving values equivalent to 88%, 78%, 97% and 88% of those of the non-operated hand. There were minimal changes in radial and ulnar deviations. Grip strength improved by 7 kg, pain decreased by 8 points, QuickDASH and Mayo wrist scores improved by 51 and 53 points, respectively. Two implants had radiolucency less than 1 mm. Serum titanium ion levels were slightly elevated in two patients. Three prostheses required revision surgery for heterotopic ossification, a prominent radial screw and a periprosthetic fracture. No prostheses were removed. Six patients returned to their former professional activities and four patients adapted their jobs.Level of evidence: IV.

Total wrist fusion versus total wrist prosthesis: a comparative study.

We present a comparative study of 41 total wrist fusions (TWFs) with contoured plate and 22 total wrist prostheses using the Universal 2™ model, with a mean follow-up of 6 years for the fusion and 6.5 years for the prosthesis. We evaluated grip strength, pain according to the visual analogue scale, functional results using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation, degree of satisfaction and complications, with no significant differences being observed in any of these variables. The results allow us to conclude that total wrist prosthesis implanted in patients with low or moderate functional demands offers medium-term functional results similar to TWF without increasing the number of complications.Level of evidence: III.

Postoperative assessment and management of metallosis and periprosthetic osteolysis in patients treated with metal-on-polyethylene total wrist prostheses.

We analysed the relationship between serum metal ions, radiological periprosthetic osteolysis and the clinical features in a series of 25 patients treated with fourth-generation metal-on-polyethylene total wrist prostheses. The mean implant follow-up was 7 years. Our results show that titanium was the main elevated serum metal ion in patients with the prostheses that we used; elevated serum cobalt or chromium values were infrequent. The risk of loosening was higher in an implant older than 6 years, with more than five periprosthetic osteolysis points according to our radiograph zone system, and serum titanium values between 26 to 31 µg/L. The presence of metallosis pseudotumours does not guarantee but increases the risk of implant failure, which may be asymptomatic or associated with little pain.Level of evidence: IV.

Results of the total wrist arthrodesis with contoured plate in a series of 41 wrists with median follow-up of 6 years.

We present a comparative analysis between the pre and postoperative status of 41 wrists subjected to total arthrodesis with contoured plate, analysing the functional and radiological results, subjective satisfaction and return to work. The indications for surgery were post-traumatic arthritis (56.1%), Kien- böck's disease (17.1%), rheumatic disease (14.6%) or other reasons (12.2%). In 75.6% of the procedures, proximal row carpectomy took place prior to or at the same time as the surgical fusion procedure. The median follow-up was 6 years. Postoperatively, pain decreased by 7.5 points on the Visual Analogue Scale and grip strength increased by 6.3 kg. The improvement in the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand was 43.5 points and 53.2 in the Patient- Rated Wrist Evaluation. All changes were statistically significant. There were postoperative complications in 14.6% of the arthrodesis procedures. Radiocarpal fusion was complete in 97.6% of cases. Finally, 62.5% of patients were able to return to work, with 92.5% being satisfied or very satisfied. These results allow us to conclude that, in the medium term, total wrist arthrodesis with contoured plate is a reliable and safe technique for the treatment of advanced radiocarpal arthritis.

Prótesis de carbón pirolítico en las fracturas conminutas de la cabeza del radio / Prothèse en pyrocarbone dans les fractures comminutives de la tête radiale / Pyrolytic Carbon Prosthesis in the Comminuted Fractures of the Radius Head

Las fracturas conminutas de la cabeza del radio son muy difíciles de reconstruir y a menudo conducen a la resección total. El resultado puede ser una inestabilidad longitudinal o lateral del antebrazo, con posible repercusión neurológica. Para prevenir estos problemas, la cirugía protésica es una alternativa terapéutica útil. Se presentan los resultados de 10 casos de fracturas complejas de cabeza del radio tratadas mediante la implantación de una prótesis de cabeza de radio de pricocarbono (Mopyc ®) con un seguimiento medio posoperatorio de 5,7 años. El balance articular medio fue de 124,3° para la flexión del codo; un déficit de extensión de 23,7°, una supinación de 74,7° y una pronación de 79,5°. La pérdida de fuerza de puño respecto a la extremidad contralateral fue del 46,09 por ciento. El Q-DASH medio posoperatorio fue 24,6, con dolor residual de 2,6 en la escala visual analógica. Se registraron dos casos con complicaciones. El nivel de satisfacción de los pacientes fue alto(AU)

Comminuted radial head fractures are difficult to reconstruct and often lead to total resection. They may result in longitudinal or lateral instability of the forearm and neurological damage. Prosthetic surgery is a useful therapeutic alternative in preventing these problems. We present the results of pyrolytic carbon prosthesis (Mopyc ®) for comminuted radial head fractures in 10 patients, with mean postoperative follow-up of 5.7 years. The mean range of motion was 124,3° for elbow flexion, with extension deficit of 23,7°, supination was 74,7°, and pronation 79.5°. Grip strength loss was 46.09 percent of the unaffected hand. The average postoperative Q-DASH was 24.6, with residual pain of 2.6 on the visual analogue scale. Two complications were recorded. The level of patient satisfaction was high(AU)

Les fractures comminutives de la tête radiale sont très difficiles à corriger, et elles résultent parfois en une résection totale. Le résultat peut être une instabilité longitudinale ou latérale de l'avant-bras, avec une possible atteinte neurologique. Afin de prévenir ces problèmes, la chirurgie prothétique pourrait être le traitement de choix. On présente ici les résultats de 10 cas de fractures complexes de la tête radiale traitées par implantation d'une prothèse en pyrocarbone (MoPyc®), et ayant des reculs postopératoires moyens de 5,7 ans. Le bilan articulaire moyen a été 124,3º de la flexion du coude, un déficit d'extension de 23,7º, une supination de 74,7º, et une pronation de 79,5º. La perte de force musculaire dans le poignet par rapport à l'extrémité controlatérale a été 46,09 pourcent. Le Q-DASH moyen postopératoire a été 24,6, et une douleur résiduelle de 2,6 dans l'échelle visuelle analogique. Deux cas ont eu des complications. Le niveau de satisfaction des patients a été haut(AU)

Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma of the hand: an unsuspected malignant tumour of the sweat glands.

We report a case of a man with a tumour of the palm that grew slowly for five years, being repeatedly diagnosed as a synovial cyst. Histopathological diagnosis showed an aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma. Thirty-eight months postoperatively there was neither recurrence nor signs of metastases.

Skin coverage in frostbite injuries: experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: Dermal grafting after secondary wound healing constitutes the mainstay of management in cold injury tissue defects, displacing the use of local flaps. We present an experimental study in which the following treatments for frostbite defects are compared: guided wound healing, partial-thickness skin grafts and cutaneous flaps, which by definition posses an independent vascular supply. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A dorsal defect in the rabbit leg was created using a cold injury model. The animals were separated in three different sets, each with a specific treatment for the defect. In the first group, the defect was left to heal by secondary intention. In the second group, a dermal graft was used. In the third group, the defect was covered with a flap. The surface area lacking cutaneous cover at day 7 (SCp7) and the healing time (TC) were analysed. RESULTS: The cases in which flaps were employed presented a SCp7 of 62mm2, and a healing time of 11.6 days. When grafts were used, the SCp7 was 130mm2, and the healing time 15.9 days. The group which healed by secondary intention presented a SCp7 of 225mm2 and a healing time of 20.1 days. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to grafts, flaps provide a better skin cover both in quality and quantity. Their own vascularity makes them nondependent of the characteristics of the recipient bed. Due to this and to the radioisotopic and resonance imaging studies, which determine the ultimate level of tissue damage demarcation in a few days, an early treatment for these injuries is possible, with no need to achieve a favourable recipient site.