The clinical utility of a decision-aid to facilitate the use of the hand in real-life activities of patients with distal radius fractures: A case study

BackgroundOccupation-based intervention (OBI) in hand therapy has shown superior benefits in patient-reported performance and physical measures; however, only a few studies have used OBI. We developed a decision-aid to promote the use of an injured hand in the real world (Aid for Decision-making in Occupation Choice for hand; ADOC-H)PurposeTo investigate the clinical utility of the ADOC-H (paper version) in patients with distal radius fractures.Study DesignA prospective case series and a clinical survey for occupational therapists.MethodsThis study comprised a prospective patient case series of 8 patients with distal radius fractures, treated using Volar locking plates, and a clinical survey of 4 experienced occupational therapists.ResultsNo patient or therapist complaints or drop-outs were reported. Active range of motion (wrist), Grip strength, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores improved for all patients. The ADOC-H induced 158 activities using the injured hand, with activities of daily living (69.8%) selected earlier in the treatment period, and instrumental activities of daily living (63.3%) selected later. The feedback and case studies suggested that the ADOC-H was useful for patients who were afraid of using the hand and, interestingly, patients who were able to use their hand without pain or other problems. The clinical survey showed that most therapists found the ADOC-H effective in facilitating real-life use of an injured hand.ConclusionsThe ADOC-H paper version is an useful tool that can be applied to facilitate patients with distal radius fractures to use their injured hands in real-life settings.     

Comparison of the outcomes of adipofascial and two–staged fasciocutaneous reverse sural flap in patients with lower leg trauma

BackgroundDistal one – third trauma of the lower limb is a complex condition to treat. The reverse sural flap is a time tested procedure for reconstruction of such defects especially in patients where free flaps are ruled out due to comorbidities. The purpose of this study is to compare the two modifications of the classical technique of reverse sural flap (adipofascial and fasciocutaneous) which is lacking in the literature.Material & methodsIn this study, the authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 67 patients with lower one-third leg defects reconstructed with either adipofascial reverse sural flap (Group A, n = 37) or two-staged fasciocutaneous reverse sural flap (Group B, n = 30) in a tertiary care hospital in North India between 2015 and 2019. An evaluation of the different flap characteristics of the two variants of the reverse sural flap was done and compared. Mean follow up period was 12 months.ResultsThe adipofascial group showed shorter operative time, was a single-stage and with better reach and aesthetic outcome. The complications did not differ except that for the adipofascial group was associated with unstable skin graft over the flap initially which did not require any treatment.DiscussionLower one-third defect of the lower limb has been a challenge for reconstructive surgeons all over the world. The goal of reconstruction is a functional lower limb. Although free tissue transfer is the preferred modality of treatment of such cases but it may not be possible in all cases due to various reasons. Reverse sural flap is a very lucrative local option for such reconstructions as it is easy to perform, reliable, low profile and bulk, require minimal facilities with less operative time. Adipofascial flaps represent an extremely useful modification of the reverse sural flap which is quick to perform with minimal donor site morbidity.ConclusionAdipofascial reverse sural artery flap is a good option for patients with lower limb trauma with the added advantage of being single-stage and with better donor site cosmesis as compared to the fasciocutaneous reverse sural artery flap.     

Non-Hispanic Blacks undergoing distal pancreatectomy have higher risk-adjusted rates of morbidity and are more likely to be high-cost outliers

BackgroundFew studies evaluate racial disparities in costs and clinical outcomes for patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy (DP).MethodsWe queried the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases to identify patients undergoing DP. Multivariable regression (MVR) was used to evaluate the association between race and postoperative outcomes.Results2,493 patients underwent DP; 265 (10%) were black, and 221 (8%) were of Hispanic ethnicity. On MVR, black and Hispanic patients were less likely than whites to undergo surgery in high volume centers (OR 0.53, 95% CI [0.40, 0.71]; OR 0.45, 95% CI [0.32, 0.62]). Black patients had a greater risk of postoperative complication (OR 1.40, 95% CI [1.07, 1.83]), 90-day readmission (OR 1.53, 95% CI [1.15, 2.02]), prolonged length of stay (OR 1.74, 95% CI [1.25–2.44]), and of being a high cost outliers (OR 1.40, 95% CI [1.02, 1.91]) compared to white patients.ConclusionBlack patients have increased risk of having a postoperative complication, prolonged hospitalization, and of being a high-cost outlier than non-Hispanic whites.     

Comparison of Billroth I,Billroth II,and Roux-en-Y reconstructions following distal gastrectomy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Major surgical treatment for distal gastric cancer include Billroth I (BI), Billroth II (BII), and Roux-en-Y (RY). Since the optimal reconstruction methods remains inconclusive, we aimed to compare these treatments in terms of intraoperative and postoperative course after distal gastrectomy with a systematic review and random-effects network meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Ovid's database for prospective, randomized, controlled trials comparing the outcomes of BI, BII, and RY reconstruction after distal gastrectomy until January 2020. From the included studies, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, endoscopic findings and complications were extracted as the short- and long-term outcomes of reconstructions. The network meta-analysis was performed with R 3.5.2 software as well as “gemtc” and “forestplot” packages. Twelve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1662 patients were included. RY reconstruction has a lower risk and degree of remnant gastritis than BI and BII reconstructions(OR 0.40, 95%Crl: 0.24–0.64; OR 0.36, 95% Crl: 0.16–0.83, respectively). BI reconstruction method took significantly less time to perform as compared to BII and RY reconstruction (WMD 20, 95% Crl: 0.18–41; WMD 30, 95% Crl: 14–25, respectively). No differences in intraoperative blood loss, time to resumed oral intake, postoperative hospital stay, reflux oesophagitis and complications among the three reconstructions. The RY reconstruction after distal gastrectomy was more effective in preventing remnant gastritis than Billroth I and Billroth II reconstruction, although RY reconstruction was considered as technical complexity.     

Distal oblique osteotomy versus cheilectomy for moderate-advanced hallux rigidus: A 2-year propensity-score-matched study

BackgroundThe surgical treatment of moderate-advanced hallux rigidus is controversial. Cheilectomy is widely used but has recurrence rates of up to 30%. Dorsal oblique metatarsal osteotomy (DOO) has also shown good results, however, there is no study comparing outcomes of the DOO against cheilectomy.MethodsThis was a retrospective propensity score matched study based on registry data from a single tertiary institution. Between 2007 and 2017, all patients who had undergone dorsal cheilectomy or DOO for hallux rigidus were included. Patients with previous foot surgery, revision surgeries, and concomitant surgical procedures were excluded. Clinical outcomes, complication rates, revision rates and patient satisfaction were assessed at 2 years postoperatively.ResultsThere were 44 patients (34 cheilectomy, 10 DOO). After propensity score matching, 17 cheilectomy and all 10 DOO cases were selected for comparison. Patients in both groups had a significant improvement in visual analogue pain scores (VAS) and AOFAS 1st toe scores 2-years post-operatively (P < 0.001) with high levels of post-operative satisfaction (85.1%). Overall there were no statistically significant differences in post-operative scores, improvement in scores, complication rates, revision rates, and levels of patient satisfaction between groups.ConclusionsBoth the DOO and cheilectomy give similarly good outcomes for moderate-advanced hallux rigidus. Further studies are needed to elucidate differences in indications for each procedure.     

Extensor hallucis longus distal tenotomy for spasticity in a patient with interphalangeal joint hyperextension after stroke

BackgroundThe extension deformity of the interphalangeal (IP) joint of the hallux is a rare focal clinical entity usually detected in patients with no underlying pathology. It may be due to extensor hallucis longus (EHL) overactivity, although it has not been previously reported in patients with neurological disorders. The lesion should be differentiated from the persistent hyperextension of the great toe at the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. Although MTP hyperextension of the hallux due to hypertonia of the EHL is a typical sequel of stroke, it has also been detected in a wide variety of disorders.Materials and MethodsA patient with right hemiparesis following stroke, which had an almost complete functional recovery, is presented. She was disabled by focal spasticity of the EHL, leading to persistent hyperextension of the IP joint of the hallux. The deformity appeared on the long-term follow-up, on both sides within a 3-year period. It was treated with bilateral percutaneous distal EHL tenotomy. On the left side, a percutaneous dorsal IP joint capsulotomy was additionally performed.Results and ConclusionA complete reduction of the deformity was achieved on both sides with functional rehabilitation. It is assumed that EHL hyperactivity following stroke in our patient was complicated by IP instead of MTP extension deformity, due to the coexistent flexor hallucis longus weakness. Bilateral distal EHL tenotomy, associated with percutaneous dorsal IP joint capsulotomy on the left side, provided satisfactory long-term results.     

保留左结肠动脉的腹腔镜直肠癌D3根治术对中晚期直肠癌患者的临床效果分析

目的探讨保留左结肠动脉的腹腔镜直肠癌D3根治术(Dixon)对中晚期直肠癌患者的临床效果分析。方法选取2015年12月至2018年1月60例中晚期直肠癌患者资料,根据术式不同分为保留组和未保留组,其中保留组(n=32)采用保留左结肠动脉的Dixon术,未保留组(n=28)采用高位结扎的Dixon术。采用SPSS 22.00软件对数据资料进行处理,围术期各项指标用(x±s)表示,采用独立t检验;术后并发症发生率、淋巴结清扫情况采用χ^2或Fisher检验,P<0.05表示差异有统计学意义。结果保留组肛门排气时间、边缘动脉弓压力显著少于未保留组(P<0.05),其余围术期指标比较均无统计学意义(P>0.05);两组清扫淋巴总数、转移淋巴结数及阳性淋巴结总数差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),但保留组清扫第253组淋巴结数目显著大于未保留组(P<0.05);保留组吻合口漏发生率3.1%(1/32)显著少于未保留组10.7%(3/28),(P<0.05);两组患者术后1年肿瘤复发、转移发生率差异无统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论相比于高位结扎的Dixon术,保留左结肠动脉不增加术后肿瘤复发转移概率,并且可有效降低吻合口漏的发生率,具有良好的应用前景。     

The Effect of a PEEK Material‐Based External Fixator in the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures with Non‐Transarticular External Fixation

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of a PEEK material‐based external fixator in the treatment of distal radius fractures with non‐transarticular external fixation.MethodsThere were 48 patients in this prospective comparative study. They were divided into two groups according to the materials used: the PEEK group and the titanium group. Wrist dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, pronation, supination, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, grip strength of the palm on the affected side, kneading force, Visual Analogue Scale/Score (VAS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, operation time, frequency of fluoroscopy procedures, and X‐ray results were compared between the two groups. Functional recovery was evaluated at the last follow‐up according to the wrist joint evaluation criteria.ResultsThe baseline data were comparable between the two groups, and no significant differences were found in age, sex, fracture types (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the results of DASH, grip strength, and recovery of pinch force and wrist function (dorsiflexion, clavicle, ulnar deviation, deviation, pronation, and supination) (P > 0.05). Normal limb function was achieved in the two groups of patients at an average of 6 weeks after surgery, and there was no significant difference in X‐ray examination radial height (10.60 ± 1.59 vs 11.00 ± 1.53, P = 0.687), radial inclination (1.11 ± 0.24 vs 1.12 ± 0.24, P = 0.798), volar tilt (10.33 ± 2.13 vs 10.00 ± 2.08, P = 0.660), ulnar variance (20.87 ± 3.00 vs 20.38 ± 3.04, P = 0.748), and step‐off persistence (1.73 ± 0.69 vs 1.68 ± 0.72, P = 0.425) between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, the operation time (54.80 ± 12.20 vs 85.23 ± 15.14, P = 0.033) and number of fluoroscopy procedures (36.93 ± 6.89 vs 64.77 ± 9.74, P = 0.000) in the PEEK group were significantly reduced compared with those in the titanium group.ConclusionCompared with the traditional titanium external fixator, the PEEK composite external fixator has advantages, such as a shorter operation time and fewer fluoroscopy procedures when used to treat different types of distal radius fracture.     

The Effect of Providing Audiovisual Surgical Information on Decisional Conflict in Patients Undergoing Plate Fixation for Distal Radius Fractures

BackgroudPatients experiencing acute trauma have limited time for their involvement in shared decision making, which may lead to decisional conflict. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether providing audiovisual surgical information can reduce decisional conflict when deciding between surgical and nonsurgical treatment in patients with distal radius fractures (DRFs) and to evaluate factors that may affect decisional conflict.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 50 consecutive patients who presented with acute DRFs and chose to undergo surgery, for which volar plate fixation was recommended. We randomized these patients into 2 groups. The test group was given a video clip of audiovisual surgical information in addition to regular information while the control group was only given regular information. The video clip consisted of the purpose, procedure, and effect of the surgery, precautions and complications after the operation, and other treatment options that could be performed if operation was not performed. At 2 weeks after the surgery, we evaluated patients'' decisional conflict using a decisional conflict scale (DCS). In addition, we evaluated factors that might affect decisional conflict, such as age, dominant hand, comorbidities, history of previous operations, perceived disability, and provision of the video clip.ResultsThe test group showed significantly lower DCS scores than the control group (19.6 vs. 32.1, p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, younger age and provision of the video clip were associated with lower DCS scores.ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated that providing information through audiovisual media such as video clips could reduce decisional conflict in patients who chose to undergo plate fixation for DRFs. This study also suggests that older patients may need more careful doctor-patient communication as they have more decisional conflict than younger patients.