Subcutaneous Transposition of the Flexor Pollicis Longus: Does It Provide Increased Length for Tendon Repair? A Cadaveric Study

Background: Flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon lacerations typically occur via sharp mechanisms such as knife injury. When the injury is chronic, it may be difficult to perform a tension free repair, and tendon lengthening may be required. This article proposes a technique that transposes the proximal tendon stump over the thenar eminence subcutaneously, out of the carpal tunnel, in an attempt to gain additional tendon length by eliminating the sharp turn the FPL takes. Methods: A total of 17 cadaveric hands were used. The FPL tendon was identified and affixed to soft tissue in the distal forearm as well as at the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint with hypodermic needles. The tendon was then transected at the level of the MP joint of the thumb, removed from the carpal tunnel, and transposed on top of the thenar eminence to reach where it had been transected. The length gained by transposing the tendon was recorded by measuring the overlap of the tendon ends at the MP joint. Results: The mean amount lengthened was 7.6 mm with a standard deviation of 2.4 mm, ranging from as little as 5 mm to as high as 13 mm. Conclusions: To our knowledge, transposition of FPL tendon is a novel technique that has not been reported. Based on our cadaveric study, it can be used to bridge gaps between approximately 5 mm and 10 mm. Clinically, this amount of gap could potentially be more easily managed by simply making the repair tighter than usual as opposed to transposing the tendon.     

Stabilization of the Proximal Ulnar Stump after the Darrach or Sauvé-Kapandji Procedure by Using the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Tendon

The Darrach and Sauvé-Kapandji procedures are considered to be useful treatment options for distal radioulnar joint disorders. Postoperative instability of the proximal ulnar stump and radioulnar convergence, however, may cause further symptoms. From October 1999 to May 2002, a total of 19 wrists in 15 men and four women, with an average age of 48.3 years, were treated by stabilizing the proximal ulnar stump with a half-slip of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon using modified Darrach and Sauvé-Kapandji procedures. The average follow-up period was 77 months (range, 62 to 91 months). No patient complained of symptoms due to instability of the proximal ulnar stump. Grip strength improved in all wrists after surgery. Postoperative X-rays, including loading X-rays, showed improved alignment in both coronal and lateral planes. We concluded that stabilization of the proximal ulnar stump with ECU tenodesis is an effective procedure for treating distal radioulnar joint disorder after the Darrach and Sauvé-Kapandji procedures.     

Rehabilitation Regimens Following Surgical Repair of Extensor Tendon Injuries of the Hand—A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials

There is no consensus on the most effective rehabilitation regimen following extensor tendon repair of the hand. This systematic review evaluates the outcomes of the various regimens. The Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, PEDro, OTseeker databases were searched for any prospective randomised clinical trials comparing rehabilitation regimens for acute extensor tendon injuries in adults. Five papers met the inclusion criteria. The regimens were static immobilisation, dynamic splinting and early active motion (EAM). There was no standard format of reporting. The sample size ranged from 27 to 100 patients. The duration of follow-up ranged from 8 to 24 weeks. Overall, patients’ total active motion improved with time. Early mobilisation regimens (active and passive) achieve quicker recovery of motion than static immobilisation but the long-term outcome appears similar. Given the comparable outcomes between dynamic splinting and EAM, we therefore favour EAM which is simpler and more convenient.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12593-012-0075-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Endoscopic Flexor Hallucis Longus Transfer for the Management of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures: A Prospective Case Series Report With a Minimum of 18 Months’ Follow-Up

Acute Achilles tendon rupture can be treated either surgically or nonsurgically. The flexor hallucis longus (FHL) has been used successfully in patients with large chronic Achilles tendon defects. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical outcomes of isolated endoscopic FHL transfer in patients with acute Achilles tendon ruptures at a minimum follow-up of 18 months. Fifty-six male patients with an average age of 36.3 years who underwent endoscopic FHL transfer as a treatment for acute Achilles tendon ruptures were included. Follow-up was for a mean (± standard deviation) of 27.5 ± 7.29 months. At 18 months postoperatively, the Achilles tendon total rupture score mean was 95 ± 4.26, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was a mean of 96.4 ± 4.31. The median value for FHL tendon dynamometry on the surgical side was 95.72 (range 70.1 to 142), and 100.7 (range 68 to 161) for the nonoperated side. Mean ankle plantarflexion strength at 18 months was 19.19 ± 2.55 kg • m compared with the uninjured side of 19.27 ± 2.16 kg • m. Relative Achilles tendon resting angle showed a mean of –0.25° ± 2.43°. Magnetic resonance imaging performed at a minimum of 18 months postoperatively showed a homogeneous continuous Achilles tendon signal for 43 patients and heterogeneous signal intensity in 13 patients (23.21%). No patients reported any great toe complaints or symptomatic deficits of flexion strength. No neurovascular or skin complications were encountered. The current study demonstrated satisfactory and comparable results with minimal complications when using the endoscopic FHL tendon transfer in surgical management of acute Achilles tendon ruptures, compared with the currently used methods.     

Management of the Recurrent Deformity in a Flexible Foot Following Failure of Tendon Transfer: Is Arthrodesis Necessary?

Recurrent deformity in the adult flatfoot following previous tendon transfer represents a challenging treatment dilemma for even the most experienced foot and ankle surgeon. The evaluation must be comprehensive, resulting in a clear understanding of the extent to which previous surgical procedures either failed to address the deformity initially or led to progressive recurrence. Particularly in younger, more high-demand patients, every effort to preserve normal joint mechanics while alleviating pain and restoring functional alignment must be made. LCL coupled with MDCO and a comprehensive medial soft tissue reconstruction represents a joint-sparing modality for approaching even the most challenging flexible flatfoot deformities. Care to avoid overcorrection, particularly with a double calcaneal osteotomy, must be taken. In the presence of progressive degenerative changes or patient factors such as morbid obesity and advanced age, hindfoot arthrodesis, particularly realignment subtalar joint arthrodesis, provides a technically straightforward, predictable means of achieving a pain-free plantigrade foot. Talonavicular arthrodesis and double arthrodesis, although reliable means of achieving pain relief and functional alignment, do sacrifice considerably more hindfoot motion and are likely more appropriately reserved for elderly, low-demand patients or those with more severe fixed deformities.     

A New Type of Periprosthetic Fracture: Is It the Time to Update the Unified Classification System?

IntroductionIncreased number of primary and revision arthroplasties performed globally has led to a surge in the numbers of periprosthetic fractures. The Unified Classification System (UCS) advocated a rational approach towards the classification of periprosthetic fractures. We present here an update to the UCS with addition of new fracture pattern encountered in orthopedic practice.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted to review the service arthroplasty register for the cases with unique fracture pattern where the periprosthetic fracture around total hip arthroplasty was also associated with fracture of the prosthetic component. The details were retrieved from the medical record and the patients were called for a review. The radiological assessment was done with X-rays and clinical assessment with Harris Hip Scores at the latest follow-up.ResultsBetween 2012 and 2019, 11 patients (7 males and 4 females) were operated for peri-prosthetic fracture with a unique pattern where the fracture of femur was associated with fracture of the femoral stem as well. The mean age of the patient at the time of fracture was 56.8 years (range 42–71 years). All patients were managed with revision hip surgery. One patient died due to malignancy after 7 years of revision surgery. All the surviving patients are doing well with a mean Harris Hip Score of 86.8 at the latest follow-up of 2–9 years (mean 5.0 years).ConclusionWith emergence of this new fracture pattern, it is recognition as a separate entity would help in better understanding and augmentation of the existing classification system of periprosthetic fractures.     

The Anaesthetists' Travel Club: a transformation of the Society of Clinical Surgery?

There is a remarkable similarity between the purposes and formats of the Society of Clinical Surgery and the Anesthetists' Travel Club. The Travel Club's founder, John Lundy, worked closely with two charter members of the Society of Clinical Surgery,William J. and Charles Mayo.     

Insurance Decisions about Obesity Surgery: A New Type of Randomization?

Background: Studies of obesity surgery are frequently criticized for lack of an appropriate non-operative control arm. Additionally, insurance approval for coverage of these procedures can be difficult to obtain by patients and caregivers. This retrospective study tested the hypothesis that the insurance preapproval process would yield well-matched operative and non-operative treatment groups which could simulate a randomization process. Methods: Of 466 patients deemed to be appropriate candidates for surgery, 58% ultimately received surgical therapy. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) was performed on 244 patients who were compared with 187 patients who did not undergo surgery (NonOP). Results: The groups were similar in gender (81% female), age (39 yr), and Body Mass Index (52 kg/m2). The percentage of African Americans in the NonOP group was greater.The distribution of comorbid conditions among the groups were similar. Conclusions: The insurance approval process results in a reasonable control group for parameters except race.