Functional outcomes of nonunion scaphoid fracture treated by pronator quadratus pedicled bone graft

Between 1998 and 2007, a pronator quadratus pedicled bone graft was performed for 45 patients of ununited scaphoid fracture. One of them had bilateral ununited scaphoid fracture. There were 29 men and 16 women with a median age at operation of 24 (16-32) years. The affected side was the right side (dominant hand) in 32 patients whereas 13 patients had fracture of the nondominant left side. There had been 32 proximal pseudoarthrosis (through or proximal to the junction of the proximal and middle thirds of the bone) and 14 of the middle third of the scaphoid. The original fractures were caused by motor cycle accidents in 23 patients, falling on outstretched hand in 15 patients, and sport injuries in the remaining 7 patients. Surgery was indicated from 5 months to 6 years after injury (average 43 months) because of complaints of pain on heavy work. The fracture has been missed at the initial examination in 23 patients whereas cast immobilization was done for 6 weeks and 3 months in 15 and 7 cases, respectively, that had failed to result in union. There were no preoperative osteoarthritic changes, but in 25 cases, there were avascular necrosis of the proximal fragment of the scaphoid. Forty-three patients showed radiographic union after an average of 14 weeks (12-16 weeks). One patient had dislodgement of the graft and refused to do it again. The average range of movement of wrist improved after operation. Taken as a percentage of the normal range, dorsiflexion increased from 69% to 80%, palmar flexion from 66% to 76%, radial deviation from 45% to 70%, and ulnar deviation from 67% to 84%. Grip strength improved from 82% to 92% of normal. All the patients have been able to return to their former activities with no pain.     

Synovial chondromatosis of the elbow in a child

Synovial chondromatosis is cartilaginous metaplasia of mesenchymal remnants of synovial tissue of the joints. Its main characteristic is the formation of cartilaginous nodules in the synovium and inside the articular space (loose bodies). It usually presents between the third and fifth decades and is rare in children. It presents as a mono-articular pathology affecting large joints such as the knee, hip, and elbow. The main symptoms are pain, swelling, and limitation of movements in the affected joint. Diagnosis is made by panoramic radiographs, computed tomography scan, and mainly magnetic resonance imaging and on surgery. The authors describe of synovial chondromatosis presenting in the elbow of an 11 year-old girl which is unreported to the best of our knowledge.     

High-frequency ultrasound examination of the wrist and hand

High-frequency ultrasound (US) is an efficient, rapid and inexpensive altenative to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for investigation of diseases in the soft tissues of the wrist and hand. US allows detection of foreign bodies and the reliable identification of a variety of traumatic lesions affecting tendons, annular pulleys, ligaments, vessels and nerves. Inflammatory diseases of tendons, including acute and chronic tenosynovitis and some degenerative conditions in the wrist and hand, can also be diagnosed. In entrapment neuropathies, US is able to identify nerve shape changes and possible extrinsic space-occupying lesions that may cause nerve compression within the tunnels. In patients with localized swelling of the hand or wrist, US is able to assess the presence of an expansile lesion and to characterize its nature in most cases. The objective of this article is to review the main findings and the primary indications of US in the investigation of disorders of the hand and wrist. Received: 10 September 1998 Accepted: 24 November 1998     

Percutaneous drainage of tuberculous iliopsoas abscesses under image guidance

Most intra-abdominal and other types of fluid collections are now successfully drained percutaneously under image guidance. The utility of percutaneous drainage of tuberculous abscesses, especially those associated with osseous changes, is, however, less well established. Six patients with tuberculous iliopsoas abscesses were successfully managed by percutaneous drainage combined with antituberculous therapy. The abscesses were bilateral in one patient and unilateral in the other five. Drainage was by needle aspiration under ultrasound (US) guidance in one patient, and by catheter under CT guidance in the other patients. Three patients had associated osseous changes. There were no procedural complications. Tuberculous iliopsoas abscess can be successfully treated by percutaneous drainage and appropriate antituberculous therapy.     

Skin dimpling as a complication of hamstring harvesting following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Surgical intervention to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with autogenous hamstring tendons has become popular. However, hamstring graft harvesting complications can occur. This article presents a case of skin dimpling over the pes anserinus during active hamstring contraction in a 32-year-old man following arthroscopic ACL reconstruction.     

Third left pulmonary vein with abnormal return associated with arteriovenous fistula

Anomalies of pulmonary veins are uncommon and vary widely in their anatomic spectrum and clinical presentation. A 20-year-old woman with complaints of effort-induced dyspnea and easy fatigability was diagnosed with a third left pulmonary vein with abnormal return and arteriovenous fistula accompanied by a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). Complete surgical repair was performed by ASD closure with a pericardial patch and triple ligation of the left vertical vein and associated third pulmonary vein. The patient was discharged on the seventh postoperative day in good health. Her last control examination was performed in the second postoperative year, revealing normal echocardiographic findings with an excellent clinical course.     

Laparoscopic visualization and dissection of retroperitoneal lymph nodes after patent blue dye injection: a pilot study

PURPOSE: Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for testicular cancer is an important treatment modality for patients with stage I or IIA disease. Several urologists have previously reported the feasibility and usefulness of laparoscopic RPLND for such patients. The aim of this experimental pilot-feasibility study was to investigate whether visualization of retroperitoneal lymph nodes with patent blue violet (PBV) dye application is a feasible and an effective method during laparoscopic RPLND in a pig model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four 12-month-old white male pigs were included in the study. After PBV dye injection into the spermatic funicular and intratesticular parenchyma, the color changes in the retroperitoneal region were examined during transperitoneal laparoscopic visualization of the retroperitoneum. The time interval between the injection and the staining of lymphatic structures was measured for each intervention. Blue-stained retroperitoneal nodal tissues were dissected and removed by the laparoscopic approach and histologic examination was performed. RESULTS: After PBV dye injection, intense staining of the ipsilateral retroperitoneal lymphatic vessels and nodes was seen. Distribution of the PBV and the color changes of the retroperitoneal lymphatic structures were examined under laparoscopic vision in all pigs. All blue-stained retroperitoneal nodular tissues were removed laparoscopically and examined histologically. Histopathologic examination noted all specimens as lymph nodes with no toxic effects of PBV dye. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that spermatic funicular injection of PVB dye is an effective and accurate method for retroperitoneal lymph node visualization in pigs. The use of this technique in combination with a laparoscopic approach makes RPLND easier and more effective.     

Axial rotation and mediolateral translation of the fibula during passive plantarflexion

BACKGROUND: Since the fibula is linked to the ankle as well as the knee joint, its importance for knee and ankle disabilities should be investigated. This study evaluates its movement during range of motion of the ankle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An instrument, together with the experimental protocol, was devised to determine the relative motion of the fibula in reference to the tibia with motion of the ankle joint on 20 paired lower extremity cadaver specimens. RESULTS: It was demonstrated in all specimens that the fibula had a relative rotation around its longitudinal axis and mediolateral translation with reference to the tibia with ankle motion. The distal end of the fibula rotates more compared to the proximal end. The mediolateral translation of the proximal end of the fibula is rather close to that of the distal end. Although there was no consistent pattern for rotation, dorsiflexion caused lateral translation and plantarflexion caused medial displacement for most of the specimens. CONCLUSION: A novel, invasive but relatively simple test setup was devised. Movement of the fibula which is important for the kinematics and kinetics of the knee and ankle joints was evaluated by this new device. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Evaluation of the fibula movement in normal lower extremities may lead to better understanding of its dynamic function which could have treatment implications for pathological conditions.     

Narrowing effect of off-pump CABG on the LIMA-LAD anastomosis: epicardial ultrasound assessment

AIM: Effects of off-pump CABG on LIMA-LAD anastomotic dimensions vs. on-pump CABG assessed by epicardial ultrasound imaging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: LIMA-LAD anastomoses were performed off-pump in 38 patients and on-pump in 12. Intra-operative imaging was by a GE Vivid 7 ultrasound scanner and i13L transducer. Length of the anastomosis (DA), LAD diameters at the toe (D1) and heel (D3) of the anastomosis, the reference downstream LAD (D2) were measured in diastole by two-dimensional imaging (B-mode). Relationships between these dimensions were compared between on- and off-pump patients. RESULTS: In off-pump patients, D3 dimension was smaller than D1 (p=0.004). Both D3 and D1 were smaller than D2 (p<0.01). Ratio D3/D2 was smaller than D1/D2 (p=0.009). In on-pump patients, these ratios were similar. D3/D2 ratio was smaller in off- than in on-pump patients (p=0.01), D1/D2 were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Off-pump CABG may cause a narrowing of the coronaries, especially at the anastomotic heel. The anastomotic technique at the heel may have to be modified to improve its patency.     

The clinical, electrophysiologic, and surgical characteristics of peripheral nerve injuries caused by gunshot wounds in adults: a 40-year experience

BACKGROUND: There are few large-volume studies on the repair of peripheral nerve lesions caused by gunshot wounds. In this study, the results of peripheral nerve repair are analyzed, and the factors influencing the outcome are investigated. METHODS: During a 40-year period, 2210 peripheral nerve lesions in 2106 patients who sustained gunshot injury were treated surgically in the Department of Neurosurgery. One thousand thirty-four patients had shrapnel injury, and 1072 patients had missile injury. Twelve peripheral nerves were included in this study, and all of them were repaired by direct suture, using nerve graft, or neurolysis. All patients underwent neurologic and electrophysiologic evaluations in the preoperative period and postoperatively at the end of the follow-up period. The mean time of follow-up was 2.6 years. Final outcome was based on the motor, sensory, and electrophysiologic recoveries, and a patient judgment scale. RESULTS: Using the muscle grading scale, sensory grading scale, EMNG, and patient judgments, the maximal recovery was achieved in the subscapular nerve, but there were only 4 subscapular nerve lesions, which is not sufficient for a statistically significant outcome. Furthermore, the tibial, median, and femoral nerve lesions showed the best recovery rate, whereas the peroneal nerve, ulnar nerve, and brachial plexus lesions had the worst. CONCLUSION: Type of the peripheral nerve, injury (repair) level, associated injuries, electrophysiologic findings, operation time, intraoperative findings, surgical techniques, and postoperative physical rehabilitation are the prognostic factors for peripheral nerve lesions due to gunshot wounds.