Revision decompression and collagen nerve wrap for recurrent and persistent compression neuropathies of the upper extremity.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent or persistent compression neuropathies of the upper extremity, including carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, present a difficult treatment challenge to the hand or peripheral nerve surgeon. Collagen conduits have been used successfully for decades in nerve injury repair, but have not been studied in the treatment of compression neuropathy. METHODS: Patients with recurrent or persistent compression neuropathies treated with a repeat decompression and collagen wrap from a 5-year period were retrieved from the Computerized Patient Record System database and 15 patient records were identified. A systematic review was performed for all articles from 1946 to 2012 on secondary carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome. RESULTS: The mean age of the 15 patients treated was 63.3 years and ranged from 35 to 86 years. The patients with revision carpal tunnel decompression had an 89% subjective response rate, whereas those with revision cubital tunnel decompression had an 83% resolution or improvement of symptoms. Visual analog scale decreased from a preoperative mean 2.47 to 0.47 postoperatively and the mean number of opiate medications decreased from 0.67 to 0.40. We identified 32 papers using various treatment strategies for recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome with success rates ranging from 53% to 100%. We identified 18 papers on recurrent cubital tunnel syndrome, with success rates ranging from 33% to 100%, with a weighted success of 78.1% overall but 71.7% in the submuscular transposition group. CONCLUSIONS: Here we report on the novel technique of using a collagen matrix wrap in recurrent compression neuropathies with good success. The collagen wrap allows nerve gliding, protection from perineural scar formation, and a favorable microenvironment. Submuscular transposition seems to be no better than other methods of decompression for recurrent cubital tunnel syndrome in contrary to traditional teaching.

A systematic review of the literature on the outcomes of treatment for recurrent and persistent carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent and persistent carpal tunnel syndrome is an uncommon but potentially difficult surgical dilemma. Many surgical treatment options have been described in the literature without comparative data on outcome. METHODS: A systematic review on recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome was performed for all articles from 1946 to 2012 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and hand-searched reference lists from all identified articles. Twenty-three articles were screened and identified from the time period 1972 to 2012, representing two general treatment groups: decompression with flap interposition and repeated open decompression. A meta-analysis was then performed, generating forest and funnel plots of the data. RESULTS: In total, 294 patients from 14 studies in the flap arm of the meta-analysis had a weighted success rate of 86 percent (95 percent CI, 0.75 to 0.96), and 364 patients from nine studies in the nonflap arm had a weighted 75 percent success rate (95 percent CI, 0.66 to 0.84). Heterogeneity was statistically analyzed and revealed low heterogeneity with the I statistic. Forest plots were created and analyzed between subgroups, and chi-square analysis revealed a highly statistically significant difference (p = 0.001). The odds ratio of success in the nonflap group was 0.50 (95 percent CI, 0.33 to 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Decompression with the use of vascularized flap coverage appears to have a higher success rate over simple repeated decompression. The relevance of these data is pertinent to all hand surgeons, as they could have an impact on treatment guidelines for this relatively uncommon but problematic condition, but further prospective study is needed. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Incisions for orbital floor exploration.

Incisions used for orbital floor exploration continues to remain a topic of controversy. Historically, 3 incisions have been used for orbital floor repair: transconjunctival, subciliary, and subtarsal. Past studies have attempted to stratify the superiority of one incision over the others. Insufficient level of evidence and inconsistent methodology have lead to inconclusive data. Our authors performed a systematic review of literature to assess the quality of evidence in literature and recommend guidelines for incisions for repairing orbital fractures. Thirty-one articles were identified, comprising a total of 4688 incisions. Technique along with individual benefits and complication profiles for each incision is reviewed. Objectivity and follow-up time intervals are necessary parameters for evaluating incisions for orbital floor exploration to further define guidelines.

Materials used for reconstruction after orbital floor fracture.

Advances in biotechnology continue to introduce new materials for reconstruction of orbital floor fractures. Which material is best fit for orbital floor reconstruction has been a controversial topic. Individual surgeon preferences have been supported by inconsistent inconclusive data. The purpose of this study was to assess and analyze published evidence supporting various materials used for orbital floor reconstruction and to develop a decision-making algorithm for clinical application. A systematic literature review was performed from which 48 studies were selected after primary and secondary screening based on set inclusion and exclusion criteria. This cumulatively included 3475 separate orbital floor reconstructions. Results revealed risk and benefit profiles for all materials. Autologous calvarial bone grafts, porous polyethylene, and polydioxanone (PDS) were most widely used for orbital floor reconstruction. Increased infection rates were reported with polyglactin 910/PDS composites and silastic rubber. Ocular motility was reduced most with lyophilized dura and PDS. Preoperative and postoperative rates for diplopia and enophthalmos varied among the materials. In conclusion, our results revealed continued inadequate evidence to exclusively support the use of any one biomaterial/implant for orbital floor reconstruction. Results have served to create a decision-making algorithm for clinical application. Our authors propose certain parameters for future studies seeking to demonstrate a comparison between 2 or more materials for orbital floor reconstruction.

Cultured epithelial autografts for coverage of large burn wounds in eighty-eight patients: the Indiana University experience.

Since 1990, the authors have used a new technique for coverage of large burns, which begins with early tangential excision and coverage with cadaver allograft (A), followed by placement of cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) onto an allodermis base (CEA/A). They present their 18-year experience (1990-present) using CEA in 88 patients (20 children and 68 adults) with age range of 6 months to 73 years. A review of prospectively collected data was conducted on adult and pediatric patients grafted with CEA at the Indiana University Medical Center for definitive wound coverage (TBSA 28-98%). These patients were followed up for 3 to 90 months. Complications, take rates, and outpatient follow-ups were noted. The mean final take rate of CEA/A was 72.7%, and the overall patient survival rate was 91% (80 of 88 patients). Complications were classified as early and late, they included: (early) blistering and shearing (31%), pruritus and itching (4.7%), (late) CEA loss (2 patients, 2.3%), and wound contractures (66%). Contracture releases were performed on 32 patients (36%); of which, 18 were children (56%). Cultured keratinocytes provide an excellent alternative or adjunct to conventional split-thickness skin grafting in treating large burn wounds. A dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and therapists well rehearsed in CEA care are vital for success in keratinocyte grafting. The final graft take of 72.7% with a 91% overall survival rate gives much optimism for continuing to use CEA in critically burned patients.

Coverage of large pediatric wounds with cultured epithelial autografts in congenital nevi and burns: results and technique.

The use of cultured epithelial autografts (CEA) for the treatment of large burn wounds has gained popularity in recent years. This technique may circumvent the restrictions of limited donor site availability and hasten permanent wound coverage for large TBSA burns. The availability of a large amount of skin from a small donor site with the promise of permanent wound coverage suggests its use in other conditions such as giant congenital nevi (GCN) as well. The risk of malignant transformation of GCN to melanoma although somewhat controversial is significant enough to warrant early excision in childhood. Cultured keratinocytes may provide one-stage coverage of these large wounds, lessening the number of surgeries and the inherent staging problems of tissue expansion or autografting. A retrospective single institution review of was done for 29 children (20 burns and 9 patients with GCN) who underwent coverage of their large surface area wounds with CEA over an 18-year period. Excellent take rates were noted; 76.4% for burn patients and 66% for patients with GCN. Several strategies in preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative care have been standardized and have helped improve outcome. The keys to success with the CEA technique have been aggressive control of wound sepsis, surgical technique, specific use of topical antimicrobials, dressings, and the standardization of nursing and physiotherapy care. Although the cost of CEA is high, the benefits to patient care make this technique an appealing choice for large wound coverage in the pediatric population.