Are hand biomechanics affected following radial forearm flap harvest? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Donor site morbidity following radial forearm flap (RFF) harvest remains a controversial issue. The aim of this meta-analysis was to answer the question “Are the range of wrist movements (range of motion, ROM) and hand strength affected after RFF harvesting?” The PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were systematically searched (to December 2019). Self-controlled studies evaluating hand biomechanics after RFF harvest were included. Weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random-effects model. The outcome variables were ROM, forearm movements, grip, and pinch strengths. Thirteen studies involving a total of 335 patients were included. With the exception of grip strength and supination, which showed statistically significant reductions of about 2.40 kg and 2.86° (P < 0.05), all other ROM, forearm movements, and pinch strengths showed an insignificant difference when the operated hand was compared to the non-operated hand (P > 0.05). Regression analysis showed that the method of donor site closure and size of the donor site defect had an insignificant impact on hand biomechanics. This study confirms the lack of discernible biomechanical morbidity after RFF transfer. The minimal reduction in hand biomechanics after RFF is considered to be clinically negligible.     

手部多发掌骨骨折术后的功能康复指导疗效评价

目的探讨手部多发掌骨骨折患者术后进行功能康复指导的临床疗效。方法 92例手部多发掌骨骨折患者依据是否早期行康复治疗分成康复组(50例)与普通组(42例)。普通组采取常规治疗,康复组在普通组治疗基础上进行功能康复指导。对比两组治疗效果及并发症发生情况。结果康复组治疗总有效率为92.0%高于普通组的76.2%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。康复组并发症发生率为8.0%低于普通组的23.8%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论手部多发掌骨骨折患者术后尽早进行康复锻炼,可有效减少并发症发生,可最大程度的恢复手部功能,对提升患者生活质量,恢复正常生活作用显著,建议临床应用。     

Assessment of collateral hand circulation by modified Allen’s test in normal Indian subjects

BackgroundAllen’s test (AT) and Modified Allen’s Test (MAT) are used as screening methods for assessment of the hand circulation. Few people lack the dual blood supply of hand and are at risk of hand ischemia after any intervention on radial artery. The Purpose of the study was to assess the collateral circulation of hand using MAT in normal Indian subjects and in elderly population to know the prevalence of positivity of Allen’s test.Methods900 participants (1800 hands) were divided in two groups. Group I had participants with age <50 years and group II had participants with age ≥50 years. MAT was performed in all participants and results were compared between the two groups.ResultsIn group I (n = 450, 900 hands), 313 were males and 137 were females, with mean age of 35.04 years. The relative percentages of a normal, equivocal, borderline and abnormal MAT were 77.8%, 16.6%, 3.7% and 1.6%, respectively. In group II (n = 450, 900 hands), 248 were males and 202 were females, with mean age of 60.4 years. The relative percentages of a normal, equivocal, borderline and abnormal MAT were 69.0%, 18.6%, 6.60% and 5.66%, respectively. A positive/abnormal test was significantly more common (5.66% Vs 1.66%, P < 0.00001) in older group.ConclusionMAT is simple, time tested and non invasive test to assess collateral circulation of the hand. A negative MAT safely selects patients for radial artery harvest; however, if the test is positive and in older patients then a second objective test may be needed.     

Engineered glove to evaluate hand disability in rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot-study

ObjectiveThe Hand Test System (HTS) is an engineered-sensorized glove that has been originally developed in the neuroscientific field for the evaluation of hand fingers’ speed movement. This pilot-study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of HTS analysis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), correlating glove-derived parameters with clinical disease activity indexes, self-reported disability-related questionnaires and hand strength.MethodsFifty-five RA patients and fifty age and sex matched healthy controls (HCs) performed HTS analysis. The glove recognized the touch speed between the finger tips during standard sequences of movements, providing three quantitative parameters: touch duration (TD), inter-tapping interval (ITI) and movement rate (MR). These variables were correlated with Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disease Index (HAQ-DI), Hand Disability Index (HDI), Hand Grip Strength (HGS), DAS28-CRP, CDAI and SDAI.ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficient was 0.93 (CI: 0.92, 0.95). RA patients showed significantly slower TD, ITI and MR than HCs, for all classes of disease activity (P < 0.001). All HTS parameters correlated significantly with HAQ, HAQ-DI, HDI, HGS, DAS28-CRP, SDAI, CDAI (between P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). Of note, also RA patients in clinical remission showed a significantly higher TD compared with HCs (P < 0.001).ConclusionHTS seems a new safe and fast tool to evaluate rheumatoid hand's functionality, measuring the speed of finger movements. Furthermore, the HTS parameters significantly correlate with quality of life, disease activity, hand strength and perceived hand disability, evaluating also potential hand motor impairment in RA clinical remission.