ObjectiveTo study the causes and treatment of postoperative deviation secondary to thumb duplication resection. MethodsBetween February 2007 and June 2013,32 cases (33 thumbs) of postoperative deviation secondary to thumb duplication resection were treated,and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.There were 13 males and 19 females,aged 2-34 years (median,8 years).The left thumbs were involved in 7 cases,the right thumbs in 24 cases,and bilateral thumbs in 1 case.Of 33 thumbs,2 were rated as type Ⅱ,4 as type Ⅲ,10 as type IV,7 as type V,and 10 as type VⅡ according to Wassel classification.The average time between duplicated thumb resection and admission was 6.5 years (range,1-29 years).Nine thumbs only had ulnar deviation of the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint;8 thumbs only had radial deviation of the interphalangeal (IP) joint;10 thumbs only had ulnar deviation of the IP joint;and 6 thumbs had ulnar deviation of the MP joint combined with radial deviation of the IP joint.The mean deviation degree of the MP joint was 32.3°(range,20-40°),and the mean deviation degree of the IP joint was 42.5°(range,30-110°).Operation methods were chosen specially according to the deformity,including remnant bone or cartilage resection,restoring normal alignment,and soft tissue balance. ResultsAll wounds got first stage healing and there was no complication associated with operation.Postoperative follow-up period ranged from 6 to 70 months (mean,34 months).The skeleton alignment of the thumbs was improved on the X-ray images;all osteotomy got union at 5-10 weeks (mean,6 weeks).Deviation was completely corrected in 31 thumbs;the preoperative deviation degree was too large to correct completely in 2 thumbs with a postoperative deviation degree of 10°.The motion degree was similar to that at preoperation in 13 thumbs;the motion degree decreased in 20 thumbs,which did not affect the function of the thumbs.Nineteen cases (20 thumbs) were followed more than 2 years,there was no recurrence of deviation and all thumbs developed well,but the size of affected thumb was smaller than that of the contralateral side in 14 cases (14 thumbs). ConclusionGetting good result and preventing postoperative deviation for thumb duplication resection acquires appropriate preoperative design,reconstruction of the insertion of the abductor pollicis brevis,transposition of the flexor and extensor pollicis longus insertion,and essential osteotomy play important roles in preventing postoperative deviation after thumb duplication resection.Individualized treatment plan for deviation should be made according to the degree and the cause of deviation.
ObjectiveTo review and analyze the long-term results of delayed repair of median nerve injury. MethodsBetween January 2004 and December 2008, 228 patients with median nerve injury undergoing delayed repair were followed up for more than 4 years, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 176 males (77.19%) and 52 females (22.81%), aged 2-71 years (median, 29 years). The main injury reason was cutting injury in 159 cases (69.74%);203 cases had open injury (89.04%). According to the injury level, injury located at area I (upper arm) in 38 cases (16.67%), at area II (elbow and proximal forearm) in 53 cases (23.25%), at area III (anterior interosseous nerve) in 13 cases (5.70%), and at area IV (distal forearm to wrist) in 124 cases (54.39%). The delayed operations included delayed suture (50 cases, 21.93%), nerve release (149 cases, 65.35%), and nerve graft (29 cases, 12.72%). ResultsFor patients with injury at area I and area II, the results were good in 23 cases (25.27%), fair in 56 cases (61.54%), and poor in 12 cases (13.18%) according to modified Birch and Raji’s median nerve grading system;there was significant difference in the results between 3 repair methods for injury at area II (χ2=6.228, P=0.044), but no significant difference was found for injury at area I (χ2=2.241, P=0.326). Twelve patients (13.18%) needed musculus flexor functional reconstruction. Recovery of thenar muscle was poor in all patients, but only 5 cases (5.49%) received reconstruction. Thirteen cases of nerve injury at area III had good results, regardless of the repair methods. For patients with injury at area IV, the results were excellent in 6 cases (4.84%), good in 22 cases (17.74%), fair in 72 cases (58.06%), and poor in 24 cases (19.35%) according to Birch and Raji’s grading system;there was significant difference in the results between 3 repair methods (χ2=12.646, P=0.002), and the result of delayed repair was better. ConclusionThe results of delayed repair is poor for all median nerve injuries, especially for high level injury. The technique of repair methods vary with injury level. For some delayed median nerve injuries, early nerve transfer may be a better choice for indicative patients.
Objective To investigate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis (DILC) procedure for chronic static scapholunate dissociation. Methods Between January 2008 and January 2011, 12 patients with chronic static scapholunate dissociation were treated with DILC. Of 12 cases, 10 were male and 2 were female with an average age of 42 years (range, 20-66 years). All injuries were caused by falling. The interval from injury to surgery was 3-19 months (mean, 8 months). Physical examination at admission showed wrist tenderness and limited range of motion (ROM). Radiological examination showed that scapholunate gap was greater than 3 mm on posteroanterior view, and scapholunate angle more than 60° on the lateral view. Before operation, the grip strength was (25.4±8.2) kg; the wrist ROM was (56.7±11.5)° in flexion and (52.0±15.2)° in extension; visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.3±1.4; and disabilities of arm, shoulder & hand (DASH) score was 39.5±7.4. According to Garcia-Elias staging criteria, all cases were rated as stage 4, indicating that the scapholunate interosseous ligament was completely injured and reduction could easily be obtained. Eight patients had wrist instability. Results Primary healing of incision was achieved, no complication was found. All patients were followed up 13-34 months (mean, 15.9 months). During surgery, all deformities were corrected completely, but 7 patients (58%) recurred at 1 month after Kirschner wire removal. Compared with preoperative ones, the scapholunate gap, scapholunate angle, radiolunate angle, lunocapitate angle, and wrist height ratio at 1 month after Kirschner wire removal and last follow-up showed no significant difference (P > 0.05); the wrist flexion and extension ROM were significantly decreaed to (46.8±7.2)° and (42.0±9.0)° at last follow-up (P < 0.05); the grip strength was significantly increased to (32.7±9.6) kg at last follow-up (P < 0.05); VAS score and DASH score were improved to 1.7±1.0 and 8.1±8.7 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Carpal collapse will recur in short time after DILC. DILC is not the best way to treat chronic static scapholunate dissociation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the cl inical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint locking with extension lag. MethodsBetween February 2009 and April 2014, 17 patients (17 fingers) with MCP joint locking with extension lag were treated. The patients included 4 males and 13 females, and the average age was 40.7 years (range, 20-72 years). The index finger was locked in 12 cases and the middle finger in 5 cases. All patients could not fully extend the MCP joint at about 30° flexion without flexion limitation of the interphalangeal joint. The range of motion (ROM) of the MCP joint was (41.2±5.1)°. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 2.7±0.5. X-ray and CT scanning showed that there was a bony prominence on radial condyle of the metacarpal head in 15 primary patients, and a hook like osteophyte on ulnar condyle in 2 degenerative patients. All patients were treated with close reduction first, and open reduction was conducted when the manipulation failed. ResultsSuccessful close reduction was achieved in 5 cases, and successful open reduction in 8 cases; 4 cases gave up treatment after failure for close reduction. All patients who achieved successful reduction were followed up 2.3 years on average (range, 6 months to 5 years and 2 months). The ROM of the MCP joint was increased to (80.4±6.6)° at last follow-up, showing significant difference when compared with ROM before reduction (t=-19.46, P=0.00). The VAS score decreased to 0.2±0.4 at last follow-up, also showing significant difference when compared with score before reduction (t=13.44, P=0.00). ConclusionAccessory collateral ligament caught at the bony prominence on the radial condyle of the metacarpal head is the most common cause of the MCP joint locking with extension lag. Close reduction is feasible, but recurrence of locking is possible. Surgical treatment is advised in the event of manipulation failure or recurrent locking.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the results of corticoplasty for multiple enchondromatosis of the hand. MethodsBetween February 2003 and January 2011, 6 patients with multiple enchondromatosis were treated. Of 6 cases, 1 was boy and 5 were girls with an average age of 10.8 years (range, 9-12 years); 5 cases presented with painless mass as first symptom, and 1 case was found to have mass by X-ray film because of hand injury. Physical examination at admission showed multiple mass on the hands, fingers deformity, and limited range of motion; X-ray film results showed large lesions in the phalanges and metacarpals. Corticoplasty and simple curettage without bone grafting were performed on 24 fingers (60 bones) with multiple enchondromatosis of the hand. The fingers active range of motion was used to evaluate the finger function; the diameter of the tumors was measured on the X-ray films; and according to Tordai's classification, tumor recurrence and new bone formation were observed. ResultsOnce, twice, or three-time operations were performed in 2 cases, respectively. All patients were followed up 17-83 months with an average of 52.2 months. At last follow-up, the active range of motion was significantly increased from (230.8±53.2)° at preoperation to (255.0±28.7)° at postoperation (t=—3.829, P=0.001); the tumor diameter was significantly decreased from (15.6±5.8) mm at preoperation to (10.7±3.7) mm at postoperation (t=8.304, P=0.000). Of 60 bones, 34 (56.7%) were rated as Tordai grade 1, and 26 (43.3%) as Tordai grade 2. During follow-up, clinical manifestation, characteristics of radiology and pathological examination showed no pathological fracture or malignant change. ConclusionCorticoplasty is a safe and effective treatment for multiple enchondromatosis of the hand in children. The procedure can improve appearance and motion function of the hand.