[Surgical treatment for boutonniere deformity of the fingers. Retrospective study of 47 patients]. / Traitement chirurgical de la déformation en boutonnière des doigts longs. Etude d'une série rétrospective de 47 patients.

Disruption or laceration of the central slip of the extensor tendon at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint with volar displacement of the lateral bands can result in the so-called boutonniere deformity which includes loss of extension at the PIP joint and compensatory hyperextension of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. Many procedures has been described in the literature and no standard treatment can be recommended. The authors reports a series of 47 cases of posttraumatic boutonniere deformity. The mean follow-up was five years. Majority of patients were males (38 males). The mean age was 41 years-old (17-82 y.o.). The etiology was in 23 cases a missed subcutaneous disruption of the central slip of the extensor tendon and in 24 cases an inappropriate treatment of laceration of the extensor apparatus at the dorsal aspect of the PIP joint. The involved digit was in seven cases the index finger, in 14 cases the long finger, in 14 cases the ring finger and in 12 cases the little finger. It is essential to distinguish the supple boutonniere deformity without or after physical therapy (34 cases) and the stiff boutonniere deformity even after a hand physical therapy program (13 cases). Results were assessed on pain and active range of motion of the PIP joint as well as the range of motion of the DIP joint. Supple boutonniere deformities, except one treated by an isolated distal tenotomy of the extensor tendon (1/34), was treated by a procedure of reconstruction of the extensor apparatus including resection-suture of the central slip and redorsalisation of the lateral bands when there was a DIP hyperextension with a moderate flexion deformity of the PIP joint, and (33/34) with 90% of excellent and good results. Poor results (4/33) were due in two cases to the absence of physical therapy, in one case to septic osteoarthritis and in one to secondary rupture of the suture. For the 13 stiff boutonniere deformities, when the PIP flexion deformity was moderate, a distal tenotomy performed to correct the DIP hyperextension was satisfactory in three cases with a useful result (20 degrees-70 degrees). For destroyed PIP joint (osteoarthritis), two silicone spacers were implanted with also a satisfactory result (30 degrees-70 degrees). In the eight remaining cases, a teno-arthrolysis was performed combined with a reconstruction of the extensor apparatus as described. Six poor results were obtained with arthritic PIP joints (which should have required initially silicone implants), and two fair results (30 degrees-60 degrees) with non-destroyed PIP joints. Supple boutonniere deformity must always be treated by initial physical therapy. Surgical procedure with reconstruction of the extensor apparatus is satisfactory if the PIP joint is normal. When there is PIP osteoarthritis, it may be beneficial to perform a two-stage technique with tenoarthrolysis followed hand therapy and a secondary reconstruction of the extensor apparatus as these last procedure give satisfactory results on a supple boutonniere deformity.

Comparative study of two series of distally based fasciocutaneous flaps for coverage of the lower one-fourth of the leg, the ankle, and the foot.

Skin defects over the lower one-fourth of the leg and over the foot are difficult to cover. Two types of pedicled fasciocutaneous flaps used to cover such defects were studied: the lateral supramalleolar flap and the distally based sural neurocutaneous flap. The series consisted of 27 and 36 cases, respectively. The lateral supramalleolar flap was used 27 times: for skin defects over the ankle (4), foot (16), and leg (7). The distally based sural neurocutaneous flap was used 42 times: over the foot (24), ankle (13), and leg (5). Fourteen of these patients were 65 years of age or older, and local vascularity was diminished in 16 cases. The flaps were evaluated clinically twice: in the immediate postoperative period for survival or for partial or total flap necrosis, and again to determine the presence of pain at the donor or recipient sites and the cosmetic appearance. Thirty-nine patients (62 percent) were reviewed subsequently, with a mean follow-up of 5 years for the supramalleolar flap and 2 years for the sural neurocutaneous flap. The results were evaluated for the presence or absence of pain, the appearance of the flap, the disability due to the insensate nature of the flap, and the presence or absence of secondary ulceration. Painful neuromata were noted in three cases with the sural neurocutaneous flap, whereas complete necrosis of the supramalleolar artery flap occurred in three patients. The distally based sural neurocutaneous island flap is very reliable, even in debilitated patients. Though the lateral supramalleolar artery flap offers the possibility of covering the same areas as the sural neurocutaneous flap, it is much less reliable in the presence of diminished local vascularity (18.5 percent failure rate as compared with 4.8 percent for the sural neurocutaneous flap). Because the procedure can cover extensive defects and is easy to perform, the distally based sural neurocutaneous flap was the method of choice for covering skin defects over the foot, heel, ankle, and the lower one-fourth of the leg. The lateral supramalleolar artery flap is indicated only when the sural neurocutaneous flap is contraindicated.

Medial plantar flap based distally on the lateral plantar artery to cover a forefoot skin defect.

The authors report a simple, single-step procedure to promote the distal transfer of the instep island flap for coverage of the submetatarsal weight-bearing zone. First described in 1991 by Martin et aI, this procedure remained unknown. As opposed to the medial plantar flap, this technique proposes an instep island flap based on the lateral plantar artery. The inflow and outflow of blood is assured by the anastomosis between the dorsalis pedis and lateral plantar vessels. This approach allows for the transfer of similar tissue and provides adequate coverage of the weight-bearing zone of the distal forefoot.

[C5-C6 and C5-C6-C7 traumatic paralysis of the brachial plexus of the adult caused by supraclavicular lesions]. / Les paralysies traumatiques C5-C6 et C5-C6-C7 du plexus brachial de l'adulte par lésions supraclaviculaires.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: In C5-C6 and C5-C6-C7 brachial plexus palsies, prognoses was based on the recovery of a useful shoulder and elbow in order to control a normal or partially impaired hand. Treatment was an integrated procedure combining direct nerve surgery and muscle transfers. MATERIAL: Our study was performed on 27 cases of C5-C6 plexus palsy and 43 cases of C5-C6-C7 plexus palsy operated between 1984 and 1994, with an average delay between trauma and surgery of 8 months. METHODS: Elbow flexion was obtained by nerve surgery on the anterior part of the primary trunk or directly on the musculo-cutaneous nerve and after muscle transfer. Nerve surgery on supra-scapular nerve, on posterior part of primary trunk or directly on axillary nerve was also performed. RESULTS: The results were analyzed separately for shoulder and elbow flexion and globally. In C5-C6 palsies, elbow flexion was a goal which has been reached in 100 per cent of cases. Only 56 per cent of cases obtained a stable shoulder with active external rotation. In C5-C6-C7 palsies, elbow flexion was reached in 86 per cent of cases and stable shoulder with active external rotation only in 26 per cent. Reinnervation of the elbow flexors was reached by direct nerve surgery in 60 per cent of C5-C6 and 52 per cent of C5-C6-C7. Active external rotation was reached by spinal-suprascapularis nerve neurotization in 60 per cent of C5-C6 and 54 per cent of C5-C6-C7. DISCUSSION: No significant difference after nerve surgery for elbow flexion was found between C5-C6 and C5-C6-C7 plexus palsies. Failures of nerve surgery will undergo muscle transfer. When C7 is damaged, less muscles are transferable and results are less good. For shoulder, best results were obtained after spinal suprascapularis nerve neurotization with direct suture. In case of failure, a derotation osteotomy was performed. If shoulder was still unstable, transposition of the coracoacromial ligament to the humerus was also performed. CONCLUSION: In C5-C6 palsies, elbow flexion is a goal which must be reached in 100 per cent of cases. Prognosis depends of shoulder function. In C5-C6-C7 palsies, results are less good. 6 patients did not recover elbow flexion, no active mobility of the shoulder was observed in 63 per cent of them. The results obtained for elbow flexion are satisfactory if the program does not separate nerve surgery and muscle transfers.

Tendon transfers to restore elbow flexion after traumatic paralysis of the brachial plexus in adults.

Loss of elbow flexion after traumatic brachial palsy produces significant functional and cosmetic problems. Although a direct approach to the neurological lesion with an attempt to reinnervate the biceps has given some encouraging results, these can be incomplete and for this reason tendon transfers still have an important role. We report the results of our series of 60 patients (54 men and 6 women) who have undergone tendon transfer between 1984 and 1994. The transfers were performed during or after nerve surgery, and we used the muscles arising from the medial epicondyle, the pectoralis minor and the triceps. Our results were judged on any improvement in shoulder stability and in the power of lateral rotation, together with the power and range of active and passive flexion of the elbow. Good results were achieved in 74% of the patients in our study, with more than 120 degrees of elbow flexion and an ability to support at least 1 kg with the elbow flexed to 90 degrees.

Results of non-operative and operative treatment of humeral shaft fractures. A series of 104 cases.

The aim of this study was to examine the results of different modalities applied in the treatment of 104 fresh diaphyseal fractures of the adult humerus treated in the department between January 1994 and March 1997. These results were classified according to the criteria described by Stewart and Hundley. 32 patients (30.8%) were treated non-operatively using a sling and a moulded plaster splint. The type of treatment had to be changed in 12 of these patients due to 14 different complications that occurred during the course of non-operative treatment. Thus, 20 patients (62.5%) underwent non-operative treatment until fracture-union. The results in this group were: very good in 12 cases (60%), good in 5 cases (25%), fair in 3 cases (15%). 28 fractures were treated using plates and screws. 4 events (14%) occurred during in the post-operative period and, apart from 2 cases of non-union, the overall result in the 26 patients in whom the fracture united was: very good in 23 cases (88.5%) and good in 3 cases (11.5%). 22 patients (21.1%) underwent fixation using multiple flexible intramedullary wires via a supracondylar approach. Apart from one case of non-union, the final result in the 21 patients in whom the fracture united was: very good in 9 cases (42.8%), good in 9 cases (42.8%), fair in 2 cases (9.5%) and poor in 1 case (4.9%). 22 fractures were treated using an intramedullary Seidel nail. The final result in these patients was: very good in 11 cases (50%), good in 9 cases (41%) and poor in 2 cases (9%). The indications for treatment should be eclectic. Non-operative treatment remains the method of choice for undisplaced or minimally-displaced fractures or comminuted fractures with multiple parallel longitudinal fracture-lines over the middle-third, while surgical treatment is considered for displaced fractures and essentially depends upon the type and level of the fracture. Transverse and short oblique fractures are treated using a plate or a Seidel nail. Fractures with a third fragment require plate osteosynthesis. Multiple flexible intramedullary wires are used for segmental fractures or for diaphyseal fractures associated with fractures of the neck of the humerus. Comminuted fractures are realigned using an intramedullary Seidel nail or multiple flexible wires. As far as the site of fracture is concerned, those of the proximal and middle thirds of the humerus are well treated using an intramedullary nail or multiple wires or with a plate, while plating is most often the method of choice for fractures of the distal-third.

Contribution of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of median nerve lesion after endoscopic carpal tunnel release.

Deterioration of pre-existing signs or appearance of a nerve deficit raise difficult problems during the complicated course following endoscopic carpal tunnel release. One possible explanation is transient aggravation of nerve compression by passage of the endoscopy material, but these signs may also be due to incomplete section of the flexor retinaculum or an iatrogenic nerve lesion. Each case raises the problem of surgical revision. The authors report three cases of open revision in which MRI allowed a very precise preoperative diagnosis of the lesions and all of the MR findings were confirmed during surgical revision. In the first case, MRI showed section of the most radial branches of the median nerve (collateral nerves of the thumb, index finger and radial collateral nerve of the middle finger). The proximal origin of the nerve of the 3rd web space, above the retinaculum, an anatomical variant, was also identified. Section of 2/3 of the nerve of the 3rd web space, proximal to the superficial palmar arch, was observed in the second case. Simple thickening of the nerve of the 3rd web space, without disruption after opening of the perineurium, was observed in the third case. MRI therefore appears to be an examination allowing early and precise definition of indications for surgical revision in this new iatrogenic disease.

Extensor digiti minimi tendon "rerouting" transfer in permanent abduction of the little finger.

Permanent abduction of the little finger is a bothersome deformity which usually occurs in the context of sequelae of ulnar nerve palsy (Wartenberg's sign), but also in rheumatoid arthritis. The authors report an original technique for correction of this deformity. The extensor digiti minimi tendon is sectioned at its distal insertion and transferred in the wrist through the extensor retinaculum. The "rerouted" tendon is finally resutured distally on the radial aspect of the interosseous muscle. Side-to-side suture of the transferred tendon to the extensor digitorum tendon of the little finger further reinforces the solidity of the procedure. The distal insertion of the extensor digiti minimi tendon is consequently radialized. Its new direction eliminates the abduction component, and the tendon then behaves as an active adductor of the little finger. Five cases (2 cases of ulnar nerve palsy, 3 cases of rheumatoid arthritis) are reported with a mean follow-up of 19 months. All patients have complete active adduction of the little finger in extension, with a persistent capacity for abduction. The other correction techniques published in the literature are discussed.

[Fractures of the wrist with cartilage rupture in young adults. Apropos of 18 cases]. / Les fractures du poignet avec enfoncement cartilagineux de l'adulte jeune. A propos de dix-huit cas.

Distal radius impaction fractures are not rare. They present a dual problem for the surgeon: the difficulty of establishing the exact pathological anatomy of the fracture, and of obtaining stable anatomic reduction. The authors report their experience of 18 distal radius impaction fractures in young patients after violent trauma (motor vehicle accident). We subdivided these fractures using Kapandji and Müller's classifications: 12 type 9 or C3, 4 type 5 or B1 and 2 type 4 or C1. The mean depth of impaction of the scaphoid fossa or lunate fossa ("die punch fracture"), or centrally was measured at 5 mm on preop X-rays or on CT scan. After radiographs of the wrist in traction under anaesthesia, open reduction was performed in 14 cases (78%). A volar approach with plate fixation was performed in 3 cases. A dorsal approach with internal fixation with k-wires and an external fixator was performed in the other 11 cases. A bone graft was necessary in 10 cases when the bone defect was significant. The four remaining patients were treated with percutaneous k-wires and external fixation. We reviewed these 18 patients after a mean follow-up of 27 months. The mean age at the time of the accident was 37 years. The results were graded on the Green and O'Brien scale. Results were excellent in 1 case, good in 11 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 1 case. We believe that impaction fractures always require open reduction with or without the addition of bone graft depending on the degree of the impaction. This is because of the risk of arthritic degeneration with this kind of fracture, with articular incongruence (more than 2 mm), and with chondral injuries on the radial or the carpal aspect of the wrist joint. Also, when there is a distal radio-ulnar joint injury (D.R.U.J. dislocation or distal head ulna fracture), the joint must always be stabilized to avoid secondary displacement.

[Bilateral SLAC (scapholunate advanced collapse) wrist: an unusual entity. Apropos of a 7000-year-old prehistoric case]. / SLAC wrist bilatéral: une entité à part. A propos d'un cas préhistorique de 7,000 ans.

SLAC (Scapho-Lunate Advanced Collapse) wrist is the most common form of osteoarthritis of the wrist. The main aetiology is ligamentous rotary subluxation of the scaphoid. The authors report on a case of bilateral SLAC wrist, identified on a prehistoric skeleton derived from the Hassi-el-Abiod site in the malian Sahara (Dutour, 1989). The paleopathological study consisted of macroscopic examination and radiological examination. Radiocarbon dating situated this human occupation to 7 thousand years ago. The diseases observed included bilateral radiocarpal lesions in an adult male individual. The degree of preservation of the carpal skeleton was 90%. Lesions were bilateral, but predominantly affected the right side. The radial styloid processes presented a lateral osteophytic cuff, giving a tapered "pen-nib" appearance. The scaphoid has a normal shape, but presented posterior and lateral osteophytes. The scaphoid surfaces of the two distal extremities of the radius and the corresponding parts of the scaphoid showed characteristic polishing. X-rays showed a band of condensation corresponding to the ivory region on the articular surfaces. In this case, the bilateral nature and the absence of any obvious macrotraumatic aetiology suggest that the only aetiology was progressive and bilateral ligamentous distension, due to repeated microtrauma analogous to that observed in sports disease (volley-ball) or in occupational diseases (jackhammer). The manufacture of stone tools (carved or polished) can be incriminated in the pathogenesis of these lesions. These lesions are therefore useful markers of repeated microtraumatic activities or "activity markers". The is the first paleopathological description and the oldest known case of bilateral SLAC wrist.

Distal insertions of abductor pollicis longus muscle and arthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint in 104 dissections.

The different types of distal insertions of the tendons of the abductor pollicis longus muscle (APL) were studied in 104 cadaveric hands, and the appearance of the rhizarthrosis in the level of the basal joint of the thumb, as well, in a try to detect possible anatomical relationships. From the anatomical point of view, it was evident that the insertions of the APL muscle are usually multiple (95%), that the insertion to the base of the first metacarpal is constantly present, accompanied in 70% of the cases with an insertion to the trapezium. Finally, the accessory tendon to the thenar eminence was proved to be extremely frequent (42%). Rhizarthrosis has been found in 97% of the dissections. The lateral compartment of the joint surface appeared to be the most frequently affected with arthritis (71%) and probably the starting point of the lesion. But no correlation has been recorded between severe arthritis and any type of distal insertion of abductor pollicis longus muscle. Early tenotomy of some tendons, in order to prevent arthritis of the first CMC joint, cannot be recommended from this study.

[New metacarpal osteotomy: metacarpal cervicocapital shortening osteotomy of the rheumatoid hand]. / Nouvelle ostéotomie métacarpienne: l'ostéotomie cervico-capitale d'accourcissement métacarpien dans la main rhumatismale.

Volar dislocation of the four long fingers is a common situation in rheumatoid hands. Surgical reduction is rather difficult because of soft tissue retraction, especially interosseous muscles, and requires large releases. The authors propose the use of Weil's osteotomy, initially described in foot surgery. This is an oblique cervico-capital osteotomy which shortens the metacarpal bone, fixed by two screws. This makes soft tissue release less extensive and facilitates relocation of the extensor tendon. Two cases are reported.

Incidence and distribution of scaphotrapezotrapezoidal arthritis in 73 fresh cadaveric wrists.

The STT joint was examined in 73 fresh cadaveric specimens (25 male and 48 female with an average age of 84 years) with a view to study the incidence and characteristics of degenerative changes in this joint. The articular degeneration was graded from 0 to 3 according to increasing loss of cartilage and the location of the changes was noted. At the same time, the presence and extent of concomitant trapezio-metacarpal arthritis was noted. 61 of the 73 hands (83.3%) were found to present STT arthritis. Degeneration of the trapezoid articular surface was:- more frequent: 53 hands (72.6%) as compared to 48 (65.7%),-of greater severity: 40 cases (55%) of grades 2/3 as compared to 25 (34%), than that of the trapezium. Concomitant or isolated arthritis in the trapezometacarpal joint (90.4%) was present in 66 of the 73 hands (79%) examined with grade 3 changes in 13 cases. The apparent predominance of degeneration in the scapho trapezoidal articulation could, perhaps, lead us to assume that this might be the site of origin of STT arthritis. It could also explain the persistence of symptoms following prosthetic replacement of the trapezium.

[Reconstruction of the loss of bone substance of the forearm by cubitalization of the radius (one bone forearm). Apropos of 6 cases]. / La reconstruction des pertes de substance osseuse de l'avant-bras par cubitalisation du radius (one bone forearm). A propos de six observations.

Extensive forearm bone loss, whatever its etiology, presents a difficult reconstruction problem. This is mainly the case in the presence of lesions of the interosseous membrane associated with the radio-ulnar joint. When preservation of forearm rotation is not possible, cubitalization of the radius and reconstruction of the forearm by creation of a "one bone forearm" seems to be an excellent salvage technique both functionally and cosmetically. Our experience concerns six clinical cases; two of these cases are original and give the authors the opportunity to describe a new reconstructive technique of the distal humerus and elbow by vascularized transfer of the radius onto the radial artery (with a cutaneo-osseous transfer in one case). The etiology of the bone defect included severe trauma in three cases, and a Volkman's syndrome complicated by osteomyelitis in one case. Two cases represent an original technique of reconstruction of the distal humerus by a vascularised transfer of the radius onto the radial artery. Forearm reconstruction is performed by cubitalization of the radius. The etiology was traumatic in one case and neoplastic in another, and a cutaneo-osseous transfer was performed in the latter case. In this difficult problem of bone reconstruction, a favorable functional and cosmetic result was obtained in our series.

[Surgical treatment of closed articular fractures of the proximal interphalangeal joints (20 cases)]. / Traitement chirurgical des fractures articulaires fermées des articulations interphalangiennes proximales. A propos de vingt cas.

20 cases of intra-articular fractures of proximal interphalangeal joints were reviewed with a mean follow-up of 3 years 9 months, and a minimum follow-up of 1 year, corresponding to 10 fractures of the head of P1 (7 condylar fractures, 2 supra-intercondylar fractures and 1 diaphyseal fracture with an articular crevice) and 10 fractures of the basis of P2 corresponding to distraction-impaction fractures in 8 cases. The fractures were treated by open reduction and osteosynthesis by screws, mini-screws, or pins, completed by an arthrodesis pin in 3 cases. All fractures were closed, isolated, and too unstable to be treated orthopaedically. Global results were: 14 excellent and good results, 4 moderate results and 2 poor results according to Steel's criteria. No serious early complications were observed. The difficulty of treatment and the duration of rehabilitation are greater in fractures of the base of P2 than for fractures of the head of P1. No statistically significant factor was identified due to the small size of this series, but, the factors of poor prognosis essentially consist of late mobilization and reoperations for failure of percutaneous pinning of a fracture of the basis of P2.