The cadaveric anatomy of the distal radius: implications for the use of volar plates

INTRODUCTION

Fractures of the distal radius are common upper limb injuries, representing a substantial proportion of the trauma workload in orthopaedic units. With ever increasing advancements in implant technology, operative intervention is becoming more frequent. As growing numbers of surgeons are performing operative fixation of distal radial fractures, an accurate understanding of the relevant surgical anatomy is paramount. The flexor carpi radialis (FCR) tendon forms the cornerstone of the Henry approach to the volar cortex of the distal radius. A number of key neurovascular structures around the wrist are potentially at risk during this approach, especially when the FCR is mobilised and placed under retractors.

METHODS

In order to clarify the safe margins of the FCR approach, ten fresh frozen human cadaver limbs were dissected. The location of the radial artery, the median nerve, the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve and the superficial branch nerve were measured with respect to the FCR tendon. Measurements were taken on a centre-to-centre basis in the coronal plane at the watershed level. In addition, the distances between the tendons of brachioradialis, abductor pollicis longus and flexor pollicis longus, and the radial artery and median nerve were measured to create a complete picture of the anatomy of the FCR approach to the distal radius.

RESULTS

The structure most at risk was the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve. It was located on average 3.4mm from the FCR tendon. The radial artery and the main trunk of the median nerve were located 7.8mm and 8.9mm from the tendon. The superficial branch of the radial nerve was 24.4mm from the FCR tendon and 11.1mm from the brachioradialis tendon.

CONCLUSIONS

Operative intervention is not without complication. We believe a more accurate understanding of the surgical anatomy is key to the prevention of neurovascular damage arising from the surgical management of distal radial fractures.     

Ureteric milk of calcium

There are very few reported cases of milk of calcium in the ureter. Its presence in the ureter is quite unusual and is the subject of the present report.     

Pregnancy following incontinence surgery

A two-page questionnaire was distributed to 304 members of the American Urogynecology Society. Ninety-nine of the 149 respondents reported that they had performed continence surgery on patients who specifically stated their desire for future childbearing. One hundred and eleven recommended the Burch colposuspension, 29 favored the sling procedure, and others advocated different procedures. Urologists as a subset more often recommended either a sling or needle suspension. Twenty-eight percent of respondents felt a trial of labor and vaginal delivery was indicated following incontinence surgery, but 40% stated that they would always perform cesarean section in these patients. A total of 40 vaginal deliveries and 47 cesarean sections were reported. When postpartum continence status was known, only 73% of women who had vaginal deliveries were continent, whereas 95% were continent following cesarean section. Fisher's exact test revealed this to be a statistically significant difference (P=0.0344).The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect the views or opinions of the United States Navy or the Department of Defense.Editorial Comment: This study presents interesting information about current practice trends regarding a difficult medical situation without any clear guidelines. However, whether any true clinical consensus was reached based on the data collected is questionable. The study does, however, serve to open the topic of how to manage the incontinent female who desires further childbearing, for further study. Clearly, more rigorous objective data are needed before far-reaching statements can be made regarding the route of delivery following incontinence surgery.     

Prevalence of Adenomas and Carcinomas in the Ileal Pouch After Proctocolectomy in Patients with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Purpose  Restorative proctocolectomy has become the most common surgical option for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). However, adenomas may develop in the ileal pouch mucosa over time, and even carcinoma in the pouch has been reported. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence, nature, and etiology of ileal pouch and nonpouch adenomas and carcinoma in patients with FAP. Patients and methods  This was a retrospective study of 31 FAP patients with Kock’s continent ileostomy (Kock; n = 8), ileorectal anastomosis (IRA; n = 7), and ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) (n = 16). All patients were followed with a standardized protocol including chromoendoscopy and biopsies of visible polyps in the ileal pouch and nonpouch mucosa. Results  Sixteen of 24 pouch patients (Kock and IPAA) developed adenomas in the ileal pouch mucosa, and all patients with IRA developed adenomas in the rectal mucosa. The prevalence of ileal adenomas was significantly higher in pouch patients than in IRA patients (P = 0.002). Only one patient with Kock showed adenoma in the prepouch area. Two cases of adenocarcinomas and one case of advanced adenoma were found in the ileal pouch mucosa. Conclusion  Our results show a high frequency of adenomas in the ileal pouch mucosa, with evolution into carcinoma in some patients. Regular endoscopic surveillance of the pouch is recommended at a frequency similar to that for the rectal mucosa after IRA in pouch patients with FAP.     

Percutaneous embolization of varicocele: technique,indications, relative contraindications,and complications

There are several options for the treatment of varicocele, including surgical repair either by open or microsurgical approach, laparoscopy, or through percutaneous embolization of the internal spermatic vein. The ultimate goal of varicocele treatment relies on the occlusion of the dilated veins that drain the testis. Percutaneous embolization offers a rapid recovery and can be successfully accomplished in approximately 90% of attempts. However, the technique demands interventional radiologic expertise and has potential serious complications, including vascular perforation, coil migration, and thrombosis of pampiniform plexus. This review discusses the common indications, relative contraindications, technical details, and risks associated with percutaneous embolization of varicocele.     

Correlation between Rotator Cuff Tears and Repeated Subacromial Steroid Injections: A Case-Controlled Study

INTRODUCTION

Concern exists regarding potential damage to the rotator cuff from repeated corticosteroid injections into the subacromial space.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective, case-controlled study, 230 consecutive patients presenting to three orthopaedic units with subacromial impingement and investigated as an end-point with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder were divided into groups having received less than three or three or more subacromial injections of corticosteroids.

RESULTS

With no significant difference in age and sex distribution, analysis by MRI showed no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of rotator cuff tear (P < 1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

This suggests that corticosteroid use in patients with subacromial impingement should not be considered a causative factor in rotator cuff tears.     

Endarterectomy and surgical angioplasty without cardiopulmonary bypass

Surgical angioplasty for ostial stenosis of the major coronary arteries is a well-established treatment modality. Management of discrete stenoses of distal coronary arteries in the presence of mild proximal disease is a challenging task. Percutaneous intervention or grafting beyond the diseased segment may be limited by size of the target vessel, whereas endarterectomy followed by graft placement may result in graft occlusion due to competitive native flow. Patch angioplasty with or without endarterectomy is an effective option in this setting, which can be performed without cardiopulmonary bypass in the appropriate group of patients. A patient with triple vessel coronary artery disease and a discrete lesion in the posterior descending artery underwent off-pump endarterectomy with vein patch angioplasty in combination with bypass grafting to left anterior descending and obtuse marginal arteries. Operative technique and intraoperative strategies are discussed.     

Off-pump multivessel coronary artery surgery in high-risk patients

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which may be more marked in high-risk patients. We evaluated our results of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) in high-risk patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and compared them with results in similar patients who underwent operation on cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: A total of 1,075 patients who underwent OPCAB between October 1996 and June 2001 and who had one or more of the following risk factors were included in the study: poor left ventricular function (EF < or = 30%), advanced age (> 70 years), left main stenosis, acute myocardial infarction, and redo coronary artery surgery. These patients were compared with 2,312 similar patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting on cardiopulmonary bypass during the same period. Preoperative risk factors, intraoperative variables, and postoperative results were analyzed and compared between two groups. RESULTS: The average number of grafts was 3.0 +/- 0.4 and 3.2 +/- 0.3 in the off-pump (OPCAB) and on-pump (CCAB) groups, respectively. Hospital mortality was 3.2% and 4.5% in OPCAB and CCAB groups respectively (p = 0.109). Perioperative myocardial infarction, requirement of inotropic agents, stroke, and renal dysfunction were comparable in two groups. Intubation time (19 +/- 5 vs 24 +/- 6 hours, p < 0.001), mean blood loss (362 +/- 53 vs 580 +/- 66 mL, p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (14.3 vs 19.7%, p < 0.001), and prolonged ventilation (4.6 vs 7.6%, p = 0.002) were less in OPCAB group. Intensive care unit stay (20 +/- 8 hours) and hospital stay (6 +/- 3 days) were significantly less in the OPCAB group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump coronary artery surgery can be safely performed in high-risk patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. Operative mortality is comparable to that associated with on-pump surgery, and avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with reduced postoperative morbidity in these patients.