Office management of ingrown toenails (chronic onychocryptosis): permanent matrixectomy using the chemical destruction technique

The phenol chemical matrixectomy technique for onychocryptosis is a very effective and minimally time-consuming procedure. The incidence of postoperative complications is limited, with the most frequent being slight return of spiculization of the nail border. When this occurs, one or two reapplications of 89% phenol for 45 seconds usually suffices.This technique is suitable for any age group other than infants, in whom the phenol could possibly damage the underlying bony surface. The procedure is totally ambulatory, and patients are able to return to normal shoe gear and activity within two to three days after it is performed.     

Antibiotic cement-coated interlocking nail for the treatment of infected nonunions and segmental bone defects

Chronic infection of bone with nonunion and/or bone defects is traditionally treated by a 2-stage procedure involving initial debridement and antibiotic delivery and then definitive internal fixation. Alternatively, external fixators are used to provide stability. A technique with which antibiotic cement-coated interlocking intramedullary nails are prepared in the operating room with the use of nails and materials that generally are available is herein described. Although useful for all infected nonunions and/or segmental bone defects, this technique is particularly useful for patients who are not ideal candidates for external fixation and for those who do not want to have an external fixator applied. This technique was used in a series of 20 patients. In 17 patients, the goal of bony union was achieved (85%). In the remaining 3 patients (15%), the goal of control of infection was achieved with stable nonunion (1 patient) and stable nonunion with cement spacer (2 patients). In 95% of the patients (19 of 20 patients) control of infection was achieved except for in 1 patient, who had a bony union with intermittent wound discharge and subsequently underwent an above-the-knee amputation. Three patients (15%) needed exchange nailing to another antibiotic cement-coated nail (for continued infection) before complete control of infection could be achieved. Four patients (20%) experienced cement-nail debonding during removal of the antibiotic cement-coated nail (3 during exchange to an uncoated intramedullary nail, 1 during removal at the request of patient). One patient experienced partial debonding at insertion, coinciding with the site of segmental defect, which was treated with an antibiotic cement spacer. In summary, control of infection and stability to promote union has traditionally been provided by 2 separate procedures, which have proved to be efficacious in the past. However, both these goals can be achieved in half the patients with 1 surgical procedure in a variety of scenarios using the technique of an antibiotic cement-coated intramedullary nail.     

Metastatic fractures of the tibia

Pathologic fractures of the tibia due to a metastasis are rare. The treatment of an established fracture is sometimes conservative, but more often surgical. The purpose of the surgical procedure is to improve the quality of life and the ambulatory status, to relieve pain and to facilitate activities of daily living and nursing care. Four cases of operatively managed metastatic fractures of the tibia are presented with emphasis on the surgical technique. The scarce literature on metastatic tibial fractures in reviewed. The operative technique to be used does not only depend on the location of the tumor but also on the primary tumor, the response to adjuvant therapy and the life expectancy. For metastatic shaft fractures an intramedullary nail, sometimes augmented with bone cement, is preferred. For distal or proximal fractures a compound osteosynthesis with plates and screws offers a good solution. In the epiphyseal and metaphyseal region of the tibia an amputation or a tumor prosthesis is the procedure of choice.     

Double concentric craniotomy for a craniocerebral penetrating nail. Case report and technical note

BACKGROUND: Craniocerebral penetrating injuries from nail-gun accidents are rare and usually are discovered immediately after the trauma. Several surgical procedures have been described to extract a foreign body that is infixed in the skull and has penetrated the surrounding structures; blind extraction, craniectomy, and craniotomy. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 25-year-old ex-carpenter who presented with jacksonian seizure at the left limb. Plain radiography of the skull revealed the unexpected presence of a nail hammered in the right parietal bone, penetrating the underlying structures of the frontoparietal area up to a depth of 3 cm. The patient was operated on; a small craniotomy (1 x 1 cm) just around the head of the nail, and a concentric larger frontoparietal bone flap, involving the first craniotomy, were performed. The larger bone flap was elevated first, whereas the small bone flap with the nail infixed was carefully elevated along the axis of the nail, under direct vision of the nail tract. CONCLUSIONS: Double concentric craniotomy is the only technique that permits the removal of a foreign body that has penetrated both the skull and the brain, under direct vision, without transmitting any undue forces to the underlying structures. With this technique, control of bleeding can also be easily achieved.     

Association of Ilizarov’s technique and intramedullary rodding in the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia

Purpose  Many surgical techniques have been published on how to treat congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia (CPT). We combined Ilizarov’s fixator with intramedullary nailing of the tibia and developed a procedure which combines the advantages of both methods: Ilizarov’s high fusion rate with alignment control and the protection against refracture provided by the intramedullary nail. The results of this approach are presented and discussed. Material and methods  Seven boys and three girls aged 3–14 years (mean age 8 years 2 months) were treated using our combined technique. In six cases, the CPT was associated with neurofibromatosis. Two strategies were adopted: in six cases, a compression was applied on the bone defect, and in four cases, segmental bone transportation was performed before the compression procedure. The final follow-up (1.2–6.6 years) included a clinical and radiological examination. Results  Tibial union was achieved in nine cases without bone grafting. In one case, tibial union still remains uncertain, despite intertibiofibular bone grafting and additional compression procedures. Thirteen overall complications were noted, including three valgus deformity of the ankle. Bone transportation failed to achieve complete limb lengthening in three cases. One deep infection occurred 4 years after removal of the external fixator. The treatment for this included nail removal and antibiotic therapy for 3 months. Despite a permanent protection of orthosis, a refracture occurred 2 years after nail removal, reverting to the initial level of pseudarthrosis. Another surgical attempt using the same method was then performed with a satisfactory result. Conclusions  The association of Ilizarov’s technique and intramedullary nailing achieved and maintained tibial union in nine of ten patients at final follow-up. It also allowed correction of axial deformities and prevented refracture. Despite the short duration of the follow-up and a high rate of complications in our series, this method can be useful in many cases of CPT in which healing has failed to occur despite many previous surgeries.     

Treatment of ununited femoral shaft fractures associated with locked nail breakage: comparison between closed and open revision techniques.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate and compare closed and open revision techniques in the treatment of ununited femoral shaft fractures associated with locked nail breakage. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: University hospital. METHODS: Ununited femoral shaft fractures associated with locked nail breakage were treated with either closed or open revision (nine or eighteen cases, respectively). The closed technique entailed closed removal of the broken nail and reinsertion of a stable intramedullary nail after reaming the marrow cavity. The open technique included open removal of the broken nail, reinsertion of a stable intramedullary nail or plate, and cancellous bone graft supplementation. Union rate, union period, perioperative course, and complications were compared. RESULTS: Eight closed and fifteen open technique cases were followed for at least one year (median two years). Cases treated with the closed technique had a union rate of 100 percent, a union period of 4.4+/-0.9 months, an operating time of 1.5+/-0.4 hours, no blood transfusion, and no complications. Open technique cases demonstrated a union rate of 100 percent, a union period of 5.7+/-1.5 months (p = 0.033), an operating time of 2.4+/-0.4 hours (p < 0.001), blood transfusion of 1,000+/-500 milliliters (p < 0.001), and no complications. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the closed revision technique because its union period and operating time are shorter, and it does not require a blood transfusion. Because there is no local wound dissection, infection rates should also be lower. However, the procedure is technically demanding. If it cannot be completed successfully, using the open technique can still achieve a satisfactory outcome.     

股骨近端骨折髓内钉术后感染性骨不连的手术治疗

目的:探讨改良Ⅰ期手术治疗股骨近端骨折髓内钉术后感染性骨不连的方法和疗效。方法 :2010年6月至2015年6月采用改良Ⅰ期清创修复的手术方法治疗股骨近端骨折髓内钉术后感染性骨不连患者10例,其中男9例,女1例;年龄35~77岁。单纯股骨转子间骨折3例,股骨转子间合并股骨近端骨折2例,股骨转子下骨折5例。在彻底清创的基础上以股骨近端LISS钢板重新固定骨折端,用吻合血管游离腓骨移植加混有抗生素人工骨的自体松质骨植骨修复大段骨缺损,术后及早开始不负重关节功能锻炼。结果:所有患者获得随访,时间9~30个月。10例患者骨折均顺利愈合,随访期间无内固定断裂失效及感染复发病例,完全负重时间12~28周。末次随访采用Sanders创伤后髋关节评分标准评估术后髋关节功能:优7例,良2例,差1例。结论:改良Ⅰ期分次清创游离腓骨移植加载抗生素人工骨混合自体骨植骨LISS钢板固定的方法治疗股骨近端骨折髓内钉术后感染性骨不连,骨折愈合率高,髋关节功能恢复满意。在彻底清创的基础上综合运用控制感染与改善骨折愈合条件的各项措施是手术取得成功的关键。     

Ilizarov technique in management of nonunited fracture of both bones of the forearm

Nonunited fracture of the forearm, although not a common problem, is associated with marked disability. Nonunion can due to infection secondary to open fracture or can be a complication of surgical open reduction and internal fixation. Nonunion can also result from improper management or technique that is not suitable for the type of injury. This study reviews 11 patients with nonunited fractures of the shafts of the radius and ulna. Average duration of nonunion was 18 months. Nine patients presented with active infection or a history of infection in the form of open discharging wound with or without exposed bone, while two had no history of infection. Patients were managed by surgical debridment, removal of dead bone and hard wear, if any, and application of Ilizarov external fixation frame followed by acute shortening by compressing the fracture site. Three weeks later, gradual lengthening started to regain the normal length. Eradication of infection and sound union was achieved in all cases, with good hand, wrist, and elbow function on final follow-up. Limitation in pronation and supination ranges of movement were found in all cases. This could be due to multiple surgeries, long duration of management, the external fixation wires that crossed the distal and proximal radio-ulnar joints, or loss of the normal radial and ulnar bowing during lengthening. Ilizarov technique and external fixation represent an option in the management of resistant nonunion of diaphysial fractures in the forearm. Received: 5 July 2002, Accepted: 16 July 2002     

Closed retrograde retrieval of the distal broken segment of femoral cannulated intramedullary nail using a ball-tipped guide wire

Background:

Extracting broken segments of intramedullay nails from long bones can be an operative challenge, particularly from the distal end. We report a case series where a simple and reproducible technique of extracting broken femoral cannulated nails using a ball-tipped guide wire is described. This closed technique involves no additional equipment or instruments.

Materials and Methods:

Eight patients who underwent the described method were included in the study. The technique involves using a standard plain guide wire passed through the cannulated distal broken nail segment after extraction of the proximal nail fragment. The plain guide wire is then advanced distally into the knee joint carefully under fluoroscopy imaging. Over this wire, a 5-millimeter (mm) cannulated large drill bit is used to create a track up to the distal broken nail segment. Through the small knee wound, a ball-tipped guide wire is passed, smooth end first, till the ball engages the end of the nail. The guide wire is then extracted along with the broken nail through the proximal wound.

Results:

The method was successfully used in all eight patients for removal of broken cannulated intramedullary nail from the femoral canal without any complications. All patients underwent exchange nailing with successful bone union in six months. None of the patients had any problems at the knee joint at the final follow-up.

Conclusion:

We report a technique for successful extraction of the distal fragment of broken femoral intramedullary nails without additional surgical approaches.     

The Meniscus Arrow® as a fixation device for the treatment of mallet fractures: results of 50 cases

Background

The treatment of mallet fractures is a controversial and challenging problem. Generally, mallet fractures are treated conservatively except those involving more than one third of the base of the distal phalanx. Many different surgical fixation techniques have been published. This paper describes a new fixation procedure using ultimate bioresorbable meniscal fixation nails (Meniscus Arrows®).

Methods

Mallet fractures in 50 digits of 49 patients were fixed with this nail in an outpatient surgical procedure, mostly under local (Oberst-block) anaesthesia. The average operation time was 21 min.

Results

According to the Crawford criteria, patient outcome was graded as excellent in 48 %, good in 22 %, and fair in 28 %. In one patient, the outcome was graded as poor, but the fracture was in a pre-existent arthritic joint. All fractures were consolidated without recurrent dislocation. Complications included one wound infection, which was successfully treated with antibiotics and without further consequences. No nail deformities occurred. Two times, the nail spontaneously and gradually dislocated during intensive use of the hand after, respectively, 3 and 6 months and could easily be removed under local anaesthesia without any functional sequelae.

Conclusion

The bioresorbable meniscal nail fixation technique provides a fast and successful surgical treatment for mallet fractures with a minimum of adverse events.     

Preservation of bone flaps in patients with postcraniotomy infections

OBJECT: Management of postcraniotomy wound infections has traditionally consisted of operative debridement and removal of devitalized bone flaps followed by delayed cranioplasty. The authors report the highly favorable results of a prospective study in which postcraniotomy wound infections were managed with surgical debridement to preserve the bone flaps and avoid cranioplasty. METHODS: Since 1990, 13 patients with postcraniotomy wound infections have been prospectively treated with open surgical debridement and replacement of the bone flap. All patients received a full course of systemic antibiotic agents based on the determination of the bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity. Notable risk factors for infection included prior craniotomies, radiotherapy, and skull base procedures. The mean long-term follow-up period was 35 +/- 20 months. In all five patients who underwent craniotomies without complications, bone flap preservation was possible with full resolution of the infection and without the need for additional surgery. Among the eight patients with risk factors, bone preservation was possible in six patients, although two required minor wound revisions (without bone flap removal). Both patients who underwent craniofacial procedures required an additional procedure in which the bone flap was removed for recurrent infection (one after 2 months and the other after 29 months). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with uncomplicated postcraniotomy infections, simple operative debridement is sufficient and it is not necessary to discard the bone flaps and perform cranioplasties. Even patients with risk factors such as prior surgery or radiotherapy can usually be treated using this strategy. Patients who undergo craniofacial surgeries involving the nasal sinuses are at higher risk and may require bone flap removal.     

Implantatentfernung nach intramedull?ren Osteosynthesen

We present a literature review about implant removal after intramedullary stabilization of femoral or tibial shaft fractures, upper extremity fractures, and pediatric fractures. A special focus is the difficult implant removal. Implant removal of nails gets difficult when implants are bent or broken. Other difficulties include broken interfaces between nail and removal instrument or when bone ingrowth hinders extraction. A special difficulty is posed by broken solid nails. Implant failure shows typical failure patterns regarding the location of the fatigue fracture. Based on well-documented clinical cases, we describe in detail surgical techniques as well as tips and tricks which help in the difficult circumstances of bent or broken implants in proximal, midshaft, or distal nail segments for a large variety of implants (solid, cannulated, slotted). We also describe an elegant technique for the safe removal of an infected cemented arthrodesis nail. The time required to perform a nail removal can easily exceed the planned amount. Nail removal can result in significant complications like soft tissue damage, fractures, infections, and other problems. Not only because of these problems, the decision on whether or not to remove the nail should be made with great care. Therefore, good communication with the patient and thorough information about risks and benefits are essential.     

Thumb reconstruction for aesthetic reasons using an exteriorised microvascular pedicle.

Thumb reconstruction following amputation is usually performed in order to restore function. Nevertheless, the reconstruction should be cosmetically acceptable in order to be fully functional, and, in some cases, reconstructive surgery may be justified for purely aesthetic reasons. The most satisfying aesthetic results in adults are obtained with microsurgical partial great-toe transfer. The technique that we use for thumb reconstruction is illustrated by two case reports: that of a 26-year-old female patient and that of a 35-year-old male patient. Both patients had a distal thumb amputation with destroyed nail apparatus, and both sought thumb reconstruction for cosmetic reasons. Aesthetic reconstruction was performed in both cases with a partial ipsilateral great-toe transfer, composed of nail apparatus, underlying bone and custom-made pulp tissue. The vascular anastomosis was done at the snuff-box, through a small incision, with an exteriorised pedicle. The result was satisfactory in both cases, with minimal donor-site sequelae. Partial toe transfer has proven to be a reliable technique for thumb reconstruction. It is an evolving technique. Many modifications have been introduced to optimise the aesthetic result and to reduce donor-site morbidity. Our technique allows us to restore thumb length, replace the missing nail and reconstruct the pulp, with acceptable sequelae at the donor toe. The exteriorised-pedicle technique prevents pedicle compression and twisting and reduces scarring and stiffness. It does, however, require delicate postoperative care and a second procedure for pedicle division.     

A new surgical technique for the correction of pincer nail deformity

BACKGROUND: Pincer nail is a rare deformity characterized by transverse overcurvature of the nail that increases distally. Many conservative and surgical treatment modalities have been recommended, but there is not a worldwide accepted technique for long lasting treatment of this deformity yet. PURPOSE: A new surgical technique for the treatment of pincer nail deformity is described. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this procedure, after the osteophyte located on the dorsal surface of the distal phalanx is removed to provide a flat surface for the nail bed, the distal part of the nail bed is enlarged in a transverse direction by using a modified 5-flap z-plasty technique. Over 2 years, this technique has been performed on 15 toes in 8 patients. RESULTS: In all patients, the deformity was eliminated successfully with no recurrence in 2 years of follow up. The growing nail turned back into its natural form and all clinical signs and symptoms of the pincer nail deformity were relieved. CONCLUSIONS: Widening and flattening the nail bed provide a longlasting effective treatment of the pincer nail deformity with an excellent esthetic result. Pain and episodes of infection is relieved perfectly with this new technique.     

A new way to treat forearm post-traumatic non-union in young patients with intramedullary nailing and platelet-rich plasma

Introduction

Non-union rate in forearm fractures is generally less than 2% when a proper technique is used; this rate increases when ulnar lesions are involved.

Patients and methods

We present a case series of seven young patients whose average age was 14 years (range 11–19 years) at the time of surgery and who presented with a forearm post-traumatic non-union that was previously treated in different ways (three isolated ulnar non-union, two isolated radial non-union and two combined). Average follow-up was 34 months (range 9–72 months).Surgical treatment began with the removal of the previous synthesis and with curettage of the non-union area. The Acumed ulnar rod, Acumed radial rod and Thalon elastic nail (all of them are unreamed and locked nails) together with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained with the Biomet System (concentration of 158.2 × 10⁴ platelets/μL) were chosen to treat the patients.X-rays and clinical controls were conducted every 30 days until recovery.

Results

All patients recovered: average recovery was 23 weeks from operation (range 16–36 weeks) and nails were removed 3 months after complete healing. Six patients had excellent results and one patient had a good result (Patient 2, forearm pronosupination 60–0–40 degrees).

Discussion

The purpose of the case series was to establish a better way of treatment and to find a technique that could avoid the use of bone grafts, because obtaining autologous bone requires a further surgical procedure that can be really invasive depending on the amount of bone needed.

Conclusion

All patients in the study showed complete recovery, with excellent clinical outcomes. Although there were only seven patients in this case series, and there is a need to analyse more patients, this study showed that the use of a specific locking nail system can provide proper stability to ulnar or radial atrophic non-union despite rotational forces, and when combined with autologous growth factors (PRP) is sufficient to promote bone healing in young patients without the necessity to take autologous bone grafts.     

Surgical treatment of tumors in the anterior skull base using the transbasal approach

Five patients with tumors in the anterior skull base were surgically treated using the transbasal approach, which permits removal of the tumor, repair of the dura mater, and reconstruction of the skull base in a one-stage procedure. By using autologous materials for the bone graft and pedunculated pericranial flap for the reconstruction, the intracranial structures are separated from the air-filled nasal and paranasal cavities. No postoperative complications such as wound infection and leakage of cerebrospinal fluid were encountered. The use of this surgical technique makes it possible to extirpate brain tumors that heretofore have been considered unresectable.     

同种异体骨移植修复骨纤维异样增殖症术后骨缺损

目的观察同种异体皮质骨移植可吸收钉固定修复骨纤维异样增殖症刮除术后皮质骨缺损的疗效。方法自2004年3月至2007年4月我科共收治骨纤维异样增殖症24例,其中股骨11例,肱骨5例,合并桡骨2例,股骨颈及转子间1例,胫骨6例（合并腓骨1例）,单纯腓骨1例。24例中6例出现病理骨折并骨愈合。所有患者入院后行病灶刮除,松质骨打压植骨后运用同种异体皮质骨移植可吸收螺钉固定修复皮质骨缺损。术后1、2、3、6、9、12个月对患者进行门诊随访,此后每年随访一次,观察患者的移植骨愈合、并发症及患肢功能恢复情况。结果术后患者切口均Ⅰ/甲级愈合。术后1年,24例患者植入的骨粒及皮质骨块与正常骨质均基本融合;术后1年3例失访,随访的21例术后2～5年移植骨吸收重建,骨缺损修复,病灶消失,其中14例骨干病灶中有6例髓腔再通。3例残留手术区域隐痛,与天气变化有关。所有患者截止随访末期功能均良好,无复发。1例患者术后3年邻近腓骨出现新病灶,5年后因摔伤导致腓骨病理性骨折,但胫骨无骨折。结论同种异体皮质骨移植可吸收钉固定修复骨纤维异样增殖症刮除术后皮质骨缺损疗效可靠。     

削骨痂植骨治疗胫骨骨搬运后期对合端骨不连的经验

目的探讨削骨痂植骨治疗胫骨骨搬运后期骨不连的疗效和经验。方法回顾性分析2012年1月至2016年6月应用骨搬运技术治疗的胫骨骨缺损患者,选取在骨搬运后期对合端未能顺利愈合的患者22例,行切开手术,清除骨端软组织卡压、清理硬化骨,削取对合端或延长段骨痂回植于胫骨对合端,使对合端最终骨性愈合。结果 22例患者术后获5~18个月(平均8个月)随访,其中18例削痂植骨术后顺利愈合,2例术后发生伤口感染,经清抗感染治疗,最终愈合;1例患者植骨吸收,经历再次植骨后愈合;1例患者途中外固定松动,导致骨折,更改为内固定+植骨,最终愈合;其余21例根据Paley等骨不连愈合评分标准评定结果:优18例,良1例,中1例,差1例,优良率为86.36%。结论胫骨骨搬运后期胫骨骨不连通过非手术方法不能愈合的患者,可尝试削取骨痂植骨的方治疗使对合端愈合。     

An improvement in dorsal reverse adipofascial flap for fingertip reconstruction: nail matrix preservation

Dorsal reverse adipofascial flap (DRAF) is one of the most reliable choices for reconstruction of fingertip amputations. A drawback of this method is matrixectomy, which is routinely performed in distal phalangeal amputations, even when the germinal matrix and some nail bed is intact. However, the nail is important for both functional and esthetic reasons and should not be killed. We described a new approach to DRAF, in selected cases, for preserving the nail. As a result, we obtained useful and esthetic fingertip with a nail unit.     

Nail salvage using the eponychial flap

Loss of distal fingertip bone and soft tissue defect can be treated using different methods, but the involvement of the nail influences the choice of surgical approach and makes reconstruction more difficult. The eponychial flap is a backward cutaneous translation flap that lengthens the nail plate and restores a good appearance of the nail apparatus. Pulp reconstruction is usually performed using local flaps (Tranquilli-Leali or Venkataswami flaps). The eponychial flap technique is a safe and easy technique that is indicated in cases of transverse fingertip angulations for lengthening the short amputated nail. This procedure can be used in combination with different flaps for pulp reconstruction.