-
The Journal of Hand Surgery Jun 2024Predominant or isolated spasticity of the triceps following upper motor neuron injury is rare and often unmasked once the spastic elbow flexors are addressed. The...
PURPOSE
Predominant or isolated spasticity of the triceps following upper motor neuron injury is rare and often unmasked once the spastic elbow flexors are addressed. The purpose of this study was to delineate the motor branching pattern of the radial nerve to determine the feasibility of hyperselective neurectomies (HSN) for triceps spasticity.
METHODS
Dissections of the motor branch to each triceps head were performed on 11 upper-extremity specimens. The numbers of trunks, branching patterns, and muscle entry points were recorded in reference to the acromion to interepicondylar line. Based on anatomic studies, 10 patients underwent a combined fractional lengthening and HSN procedure for triceps spasticity. Patient demographics, time from diagnosis, and complications were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and total active elbow arc of motion were compared.
RESULTS
The first branch from the radial nerve was consistently a single trunk to the long triceps head. There were many variations in the branching pattern and number of trunks to the lateral and medial heads of the triceps with motor entry points between 31% and 95% of the acromion to interepicondylar line distance. Ten patients (six men and four women; mean age: 48.5 years) underwent the combined procedure. Mean total active elbow arc of motion improved from 78° before surgery to 111° after surgery, with a 17.5° increase in active elbow flexion. Compared with a mean preoperative triceps MAS of 2.75, nine patients had triceps MAS of 0 at a mean of 10.2 months of follow-up. There was no loss of functional elbow extension and no directly related complications.
CONCLUSIONS
Given the variable motor entry points, HSN to each triceps head would require extensive dissection. Therefore, a combined approach consisting of fractional lengthening of the long head and lateral head with HSN of the triceps medial head is recommended to address triceps spasticity.
TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Therapeutic V.
PubMed: 38934991
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.04.019 -
Neuro-ophthalmology (Aeolus Press) 2024We wanted to evaluate if optical coherence tomography angiography OCTA findings could predict the functional outcome in extracranial carotid artery atherosclerotic...
Correlation Between Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Findings at 3 to 6 Weeks and Functional Outcome at 3 Months Following Acute Ischaemic Stroke Due to Extracranial Carotid Artery Atherosclerotic Disease.
We wanted to evaluate if optical coherence tomography angiography OCTA findings could predict the functional outcome in extracranial carotid artery atherosclerotic disease (ECAD) associated stroke. This exploratory study was performed on adults with acute ischaemic stroke due to ECAD at 3-6 weeks following stroke onset with risk factor matched controls without carotid artery stenosis. Twenty-three stroke patients (cases) and 23 controls were enrolled. There was significant difference between cases and controls in deep vessel density at the macula ( = .0007) and in radial peripapillary capillary perfusion density (RPCPD) at the optic nerve head (ONH) ( = .0007). Statistically significant difference was noted in the total superficial vessel density (SVD) at the macula (SVD within 1 standard deviation [SD] versus SVD beyond 1 SD of control data) in the ipsilateral eye and functional outcome at 3 months (poor versus very good outcome, modified Rankin scale [mRS] 0-1 versus mRS 2-6, respectively; = .0361). There was statistically insignificant correlation between the RPCPD at the ONH and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission, mRS at discharge, and mRS at 3 months following stroke onset ( = .33, = .35, = .39; = .11, = .09, = .06, respectively). The findings of this exploratory study suggested that OCTA findings may predict 3 month outcomes in cases of ECAD-related stroke and could be useful in decision making in future intervention studies as to whether intervene or not in patients having critical or non-critical ECAD for preventing stroke.
PubMed: 38933744
DOI: 10.1080/01658107.2023.2299442 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Pediatric regional anesthesia has been driven by the gradual rise in the adoption of opioid-sparing strategies and the growing concern over the possible adverse effects... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pediatric regional anesthesia has been driven by the gradual rise in the adoption of opioid-sparing strategies and the growing concern over the possible adverse effects of general anesthetics on neurodevelopment. Nonetheless, performing regional anesthesia studies in a pediatric population is challenging and accounts for the scarce evidence. This study aimed to review the scientific foundation of studies in cadavers to assess regional anesthesia techniques in children.
METHODS
We searched the following databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. We included anatomical cadaver studies assessing peripheral nerve blocks in children. The core data collected from studies were included in tables and comprised block type, block evaluation, results, and conclusion.
RESULTS
The search identified 2409 studies, of which, 16 were anatomical studies on the pediatric population. The techniques evaluated were the erector spinae plane block, ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block, sciatic nerve block, maxillary nerve block, paravertebral block, femoral nerve block, radial nerve block, greater occipital nerve block, infraclavicular brachial plexus block, and infraorbital nerve block.
CONCLUSION
Regional anesthesia techniques are commonly performed in children, but the lack of anatomical studies may result in reservations regarding the dispersion and absorption of local anesthetics. Further anatomical research on pediatric regional anesthesia may guide the practice.
PubMed: 38929312
DOI: 10.3390/children11060733 -
Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za... Jun 2024To summarize the surgical accidents and postoperative complications of the treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation by suture button fixation and bone occlusion, and...
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the surgical accidents and postoperative complications of the treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation by suture button fixation and bone occlusion, and to provide clinical reference.
METHODS
The clinical data of 16 patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation treated with modified arthroscopic Latarjet suture button fixation and bone occlusion between July 2017 and April 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 15 were male and 1 was female. The age ranged from 16 to 45 years, with an average of 26 years. Admission examination showed the range of motion of shoulder joint was normal; the shoulder joint fear test was positive; En-face CT scan measured 10%-20% of the glenoid defects, averaging 13.4%; and MRI examination revealed bone Bankart injury. The disease duration ranged from 2 to 20 years, with an average of 7.1 years. The shoulder joint was dislocated 8- 45 times, with an average of 17.4 times, and the shoulder joint was unstable. The occurrence of surgical accidents and postoperative complications as well as corresponding measures and outcomes were recorded.
RESULTS
All the incisions healed by first intention without any complications such as incision infection or vascular injury. All 16 cases were followed up for an average of 3.6 years (range, 1-7 years), and no shoulder redislocation occurred. Four types of intraoperative surgical accidents and two types of postoperative complications occurred in the early stage of implementation of the technique. Intraoperative surgical accidents included 1 case of difficulty in passing subscapular muscle through coracotomy with large size, which was treated with exchange rod or finger through subscapular muscle split; 2 cases of coracoidal process fracture, of which 1 case was treated conservatively, and the other case was sutured to the base of tendon and fixed through tunnel; 1 case of glenoid fracture occurred in the glenoid tunnel, which was fixed with knot-free anchors; the posterior loop plate fixation was abnormal in 2 cases, of which 1 case was re-fixed and the other case was renovated. Postoperative complications included coracoid bone mass displacement in 1 case, conservative biceps rehabilitation was given to avoid premature external rotation; 1 case of radial nerve injury of healthy upper limb and musculocutaneous nerve injury of affected side was given oral medication and physiotherapy. The above conditions recovered well after corresponding treatment.
CONCLUSION
Suture button fixation with bone occlusion is a safe method for the treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation. Careful operation should be performed during coracoid interception and glenoid tunnel drilling, especially in the fixation process.
Topics: Humans; Male; Shoulder Dislocation; Female; Adult; Adolescent; Postoperative Complications; Young Adult; Arthroscopy; Middle Aged; Range of Motion, Articular; Shoulder Joint; Recurrence; Treatment Outcome; Suture Techniques
PubMed: 38918188
DOI: 10.7507/1002-1892.202404050 -
Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia Jun 2024To identify the location of the Riché-Cannieu anastomosis (RCA) in relation to the Cardinal Kaplan Line (KCL) and the Y line. A total of 20 hands of 10...
To identify the location of the Riché-Cannieu anastomosis (RCA) in relation to the Cardinal Kaplan Line (KCL) and the Y line. A total of 20 hands of 10 recently-deceased adult male cadavers aged between 27 and 66 years were dissected for the investigation of the relationship of the most distal point of the RCA with the KCL and with the Y line, drawn from the axis of the third metacarpal head, following the longitudinal axis of the hand. In 20 limbs, the most distal point of the nerve communication was positioned distally in relation to the KCL. The Y line was positioned on the radial side in relation to the most distal point of the RCA in 14 limbs, and it was positioned on the ulnar side in relation to the Y line in 6 limbs. The crossing between the KCL and the Y line occurred proximal to the RCA in 18 limbs; in 1 hand, it was positioned distal to the intersection between these lines; and in another hand, the KCL was positioned exactly on the RCA. Knowledge of these anatomical relationships can prevent damage to nerve branches and thus also prevent paralysis of intrinsic muscles in surgical procedures in the palm of the hand.
PubMed: 38911877
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1785512 -
The Journal of Pain Jun 2024Offset analgesia (OA) is believed to reflect the efficiency of the endogenous pain modulatory system. However, the underlying mechanisms are still being debated....
Offset analgesia (OA) is believed to reflect the efficiency of the endogenous pain modulatory system. However, the underlying mechanisms are still being debated. Previous research suggested both, central and peripheral mechanisms, with the latter involving the influence of specific A-delta-fibers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of a non-ischaemic A-fiber conduction blockade on the OA response in healthy participants. A total of 52 participants were recruited for an A-fiber conduction blockade via compression of the superficial radial nerve. To monitor fiber-specific peripheral nerve conduction capacity, quantitative sensory testing was performed continuously. Before, during and after the A-fiber block, an individualized OA-paradigm was applied to the dorsum of both hands (blocked and control side were randomized). Pain intensity of each heat stimulus was evaluated by an electronic visual analogue scale. A successful A-fiber conduction blockade was achieved in thirty participants. Offset analgesia has been verified within time (before, during, after blockade), and condition (blocked and control side) (p < 0.01, d > 0.5). Repeated measurements ANOVA showed no significant interaction effects between OA within condition and time (p = 0.24, η² = 0.05). Hence, no significant effect of A-fiber blockade was detected on OA during noxious heat stimulation. The results suggest that peripheral A-fiber afferents may play a minor role in OA compared to alternative central mechanisms or other fibers. However, further studies are needed to substantiate a central rather than peripheral influence on OA. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents the observation of offset analgesia before, during and after a successful A-fiber conduction blockade in healthy volunteers. A better understanding of the mechanisms of offset analgesia and endogenous pain modulation in general may help to explain the underlying aspects of pain disorders.
PubMed: 38908497
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104611 -
Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity... Jun 2024Incision of the dorsal side of the tendon sheath in release of De Quervain's tenosynovitis has traditionally been advocated to prevent the risk of volar tendon...
Incision of the dorsal side of the tendon sheath in release of De Quervain's tenosynovitis has traditionally been advocated to prevent the risk of volar tendon subluxation. We describe a novel technique of complete excision, rather than simple incision, of the first dorsal compartment tendon sheath. Over a 10-year period, 147 patients (154 wrists) underwent first dorsal compartment release using this technique of complete excision of the sheath. No postoperative immobilization is used. Patients were followed for a mean of 7.0 months. Records were assessed for any complications including reoperation, tendon subluxation, recurrence, wound complications, scar tenderness, and superficial radial sensory nerve paresthesias. There were no cases of recurrence, reoperation, or tendon subluxation after release with this technique. Postoperatively, 7 (4.5%) patients had scar tenderness and 5 (3.2%) of these patients also had superficial radial sensory nerve parasthesias, which all resolved at the time of final follow-up. Mean range of motion was 73±11 degrees of flexion and 69±10 degrees of extension. In contrast to simple incision, we propose that this technique provides a more complete release of the compartment without risk of symptomatic subluxation or bowstringing and provides a complete release of a separate extensor pollicis brevis subsheath or any concomitant retinacular cysts associated with the tendonitis. There is an immediate removal of the symptomatic swelling and visible, painful bump associated with the thickened retinaculum with this technique. Furthermore, no immobilization is required after surgery.
PubMed: 38907611
DOI: 10.1097/BTH.0000000000000488 -
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related... Jun 2024Notable surgeon-to-surgeon variation in rates of uncommon surgery can reflect appropriate concentration of expertise with technically difficult or risky procedures that...
BACKGROUND
Notable surgeon-to-surgeon variation in rates of uncommon surgery can reflect appropriate concentration of expertise with technically difficult or risky procedures that address problematic impairment due to objective pathophysiology. Examples include vascularized tissue transfer or transplantation to address complex tissue loss and release of bony elbow ankylosis. Perhaps more problematic is notable variation in straightforward, discretionary surgeries intended to alleviate pain, offered in the absence of objectively measurable pathophysiology, and without experimental evidence of benefit over placebo and other nonspecific effects. Evidence of concentration of this type of surgery in the hands of a few surgeons might point to inordinate influence of surgeon opinions on patient behavior. A study of variation in operations for upper extremity peripheral mononeuropathy has the potential to uncover potentially problematic variation. There are billing codes specific to common surgeries that can benefit patients with objectively verifiable neuropathies. And there are billing codes that represent less common nerve decompression surgeries that in many cases are offered in the absence of both objective evidence of pathophysiology as well as experimental evidence that surgery alleviates pain better than simulated surgery.
QUESTIONS/PURPOSES
We asked the following questions: (1) Among surgeons who billed a mean of at least 10 carpal tunnel releases (CTRs) per year in patients with Medicare insurance in the United States, how many also performed at least one less common peripheral nerve release and cubital tunnel release (CubTR) per year? (2) Among surgeons who billed a mean of at least one less common peripheral nerve release or CubTR on average per year, what is the median and range of the number of less common peripheral nerve releases and CubTRs and the relative proportion of these compared with CTRs per year? (3) Are there any differences in gender, specialty, and number of CTRs and CubTRs between surgeons who performed at least one less common nerve decompression and surgeons who, on average, performed none?
METHODS
Using the Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners - by Provider and Service database, we identified surgeons who perform a minimum of 10 CTRs per year. Because this database has all surgeries billed to Medicare performed in any setting by individual surgeons, it is well suited to the study of surgeon-specific operative rates among Medicare patients. Among 7259 clinicians who billed one or more nerve procedure to Medicare between January 2013 and December 2019, we excluded 120 nonsurgical clinicians, 47 podiatrists, and 1561 clinicians who billed procedures as an organization. Among the remaining 5531 surgeons, 5439 performed at least 10 CTRs on average per year, which we considered representative of surgeons who include nerve decompression surgery as a part of their practice. Among these 5439 surgeons, we calculated the mean number of CTRs, CubTRs, and less common peripheral nerve releases (including decompression of a digital nerve, nerve in hand or wrist, ulnar nerve at the wrist, brachial plexus, and unspecified nerve) per year between 2013 and 2019. Decompression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel, the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel, and, much less frequently, the ulnar nerve at the wrist typically addresses measurable neuropathy. The other nerve releases are often performed for illnesses characterized by pain that are defined, in part, by the absence of experimentally verifiable pathophysiology such as radial tunnel and pronator (or lacertus) syndromes. We counted the number of surgeons who billed an average of at least one less common peripheral nerve release and CubTR per year; the median and range of the number of less common nerve releases and CubTRs and their relative proportion among those subsets of surgeons; and differences in the number of surgeons who performed one or none less common surgery by gender, specialty, and volume of CTR/CubTR surgery.
RESULTS
Of 5439 surgeons who performed a mean of at least 10 CTRs per year, 2% (93) performed a mean of at least one less common peripheral nerve release per year among patients on Medicare, 14% (775) at least one CubTR, and 1% (47) performed both. Surgeons who performed a mean of at least one less common peripheral nerve release per year performed a median (IQR) of 7 (3 to 17) per year (with a maximum of 153 per year), representing approximately one less common peripheral nerve release for every five CTRs. Sixty-five percent (4076 of 6272) of all less common nerve procedures were performed by the top 20 billing surgeons. Gender was not associated with doing one or more uncommon nerve releases (women 1% [6 of 413], men 2% [87 of 5026]; p = 0.84), but specialty was, with plastic surgeons leading (6% [20 of 340] compared with 1% [73 of 5087] for other types of surgeons; p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The observation that a relatively small number of surgeons perform a large majority of the surgery for nerve syndromes conceptualized as accounting for arm pain suggests that most surgeons are cautious about ascribing pain to conceptual nerve compression syndromes and offering surgery.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
An approach to surgical care founded on ethical principles regards this type of notable variation as a signal of inordinate influence of surgeon opinion on patient behavior, suggesting that professional conduct may be supported by safeguards such as checklists that help guide patients to choices consistent with their values unclouded by surgeon beliefs, false hope, and common misconceptions.
PubMed: 38905446
DOI: 10.1097/CORR.0000000000003162 -
Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology :... Jun 2024The aim of this study was to establish normative data for the sural-to-radial nerve amplitude ratio (SRAR) and develop a quantile regression model for individualized...
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to establish normative data for the sural-to-radial nerve amplitude ratio (SRAR) and develop a quantile regression model for individualized cutoff values.
METHODS
A cohort of 68 healthy individuals (36 female participants) aged 20 to 59 years was recruited. Sensory nerve conduction studies were conducted to measure sural and radial sensory nerve action potential amplitudes. Quantile regression analysis was used to determine the fifth percentile of SRAR after adjusting for age, sex, and other demographic variables.
RESULTS
This study found significant differences in body height and weight between the sexes, with radial sensory nerve action potential being higher in female participants. The sural-to-radial nerve amplitude ratio was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.3, p = 0.007) and showed significant sex differences. The final regression equation, SRAR = 0.519 - 0.006 × age + 0.046 × sex (1 = male, 0 = female), was developed for the fifth percentile cutoff, accounting for age and sex.
CONCLUSIONS
This study establishes normative SRAR data and introduces a novel quantile regression approach to determine individualized cutoff values. Age and sex are critical factors for SRAR variation, necessitating tailored diagnostic criteria for neuropathy assessment. This model enhances diagnostic accuracy and potentially reduces misdiagnosis in clinical settings. Further research is recommended to validate the clinical applicability of SRAR across different types of neuropathies.
PubMed: 38904541
DOI: 10.1097/WNP.0000000000001084 -
Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online Mar 2024Articular comminuted fracture dislocations of the base of the middle phalanx represent a major challenge for the surgeon. The treatment goal is a nonpainful, stable, and...
Articular comminuted fracture dislocations of the base of the middle phalanx represent a major challenge for the surgeon. The treatment goal is a nonpainful, stable, and functional proximal interphalangeal joint, which is achieved through concentric joint reduction and restoration of joint stability. Fracture pattern rarely results in sagittal bone loss involving the entire ulnar or radial pilon of the base of the second phalanx. In these cases, the choice of treatment can be particularly challenging as the loss of a pillar of the articular base causes angular deviation at the joint level, thus causing the loss of finger joint flexion and overlap of the adjacent finger. We present a novel nonvascularized osteochondral graft, which we named hemi--hamate osteochondral graft a modified version of the traditional hemi-hamate arthroplasty, that is suitable for the reconstruction of bone loss involving the whole anteroposterior hemiarticular surface of the base of the P2.
PubMed: 38903846
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2023.11.009