[Incidence and causes of failures in wrist arthroscopic techniques]

Nerve lesions during arthroscopic procedure: a literature overview

Arthroscopy is more and more popular. Although minimally-invasive, it's not completely free of complications as nerves lesions which can be invalidating for the patient and frustrating for the surgeon with significant economic, psychological and medico-legal implications. The purpose was to review the literature about nerve injuries related to arthroscopy. A scientific literature review was performed in PubMed/Medline, including articles dealing with cases of iatrogen lesions of the peripheral nerves occurred during arthroscopic procedures. These lesions are mainly due to direct damage by nerve section while cutting for making the portals or during surgical maneuvers, or indirect damage due to traction or pressure mechanisms especially for errors in patient positioning. Also the tourniquet can lead to compression and ischemic nerve injury. Arthroscopy can cause both transient and permanent neurological lesions manifested with dysesthesia up to paralysis according to Seddon's classification in neuroapraxia, axonotmesis and neurotmesis. Incidence of complications in general and of nerve injuries during arthroscopy are reported by joint. A rigorous respect for surgical technique and all perioperative precautions, particularly in relation to the positioning of the patient, greatly reduce the risk of nerve injury. The suggested waiting time before surgical nerve revision is 6 months. In the meanwhile the patient should perform physiotherapy constantly and improvements should be evaluated with clinical examination and electromyography 15-20 days after the lesion, and thereafter at 3 and 6 months.

Complications of Wrist and Hand Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the wrist continues to evolve and advance as a valuable clinical technique in hand surgery. This article aims to address safety of wrist arthroscopy and provide an overview of the known iatrogenic complications. Ultimately, the likelihood of associated injuries during wrist arthroscopy is dependent on the surgeon's ability and understanding of the equipment. Case volume and duration of experience directly correlate with mitigating iatrogenic injury and optimizing patient outcomes.

Complications of Wrist Arthroscopy: A Multicenter Study Based on 10,107 Arthroscopies

Background Wrist arthroscopy is now a routine procedure, regarded as safe. Complications are reported in the literature as being rare and mostly minor. Purpose The two goals of this study were to evaluate the incidence and nature of complications based on a very large multicenter retrospective study, and to investigate about a potential learning curve. Methods The authors sent a detailed questionnaire to all members of the European Wrist Arthroscopy Society (EWAS), inquiring about the number and types of complications encountered during their practice of wrist arthroscopy, and about their experience with the technique. Results A total of 36 series comprising 10,107 wrist arthroscopies were included in the study. There were 605 complications (5.98% of the cases), of which 5.07% were listed as serious and 0.91% as minor. The most frequent ones were failure to achieve the procedure (1.16%), and nerve lesions (1.17%). Cartilage lesions and complex regional pain syndrome each occurred in 0.50% cases. Other complications (wrist stiffness, loose bodies, hematomas, tendon lacerations) were less frequent. Breaking down of the data according to each surgeon's experience of the technique showed a significant relationship with the rate of complications, the threshold for a lower complication rate being approximately 25 arthroscopies a year and/or greater than 5 years of experience. Conclusion Although the global incidence of complications was in keeping with the literature, the incidence of serious complications was much higher than previously reported. There is a significant learning curve with the technique of wrist arthroscopy, both in terms of volume and experience.

Comparison between open and arthroscopic-assisted foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex repair for post-traumatic distal radio-ulnar joint instability

The aim of this study was to assess the objective and subjective functional outcomes after foveal reattachment of proximal or complete ulnar-sided triangular fibrocartilage complex lesions by two surgical procedures: an open technique or an arthroscopically assisted repair. The study was done prospectively on 49 wrists affected by post-traumatic distal radio-ulnar joint instability. Twenty-four patients were treated with the open technique (Group 1) and 25 by the arthroscopically assisted technique (Group 2). Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a clear foveal detachment of the triangular fibrocartilage complex in 67% of the cases. Arthroscopy showed a positive ulnar-sided detachment of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (positive hook test) in all cases. Distal radio-ulnar joint stability was obtained in all but five patients at a mean follow-up of 6 months. Both groups had improvement of all parameters with significant differences in wrist pain scores, Mayo wrist score, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire and Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation questionnaire scores. There were no significant post-operative differences between the two groups in the outcome parameters except for the Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score, which was significantly better in Group 2 (p < 0.001).

Revision wrist arthroscopy after failed primary arthroscopic treatment

Background The etiologies and outcomes of cases of failed therapeutic wrist arthroscopy have not been well-described to date. Purpose The purposes of this study were to identify common preventable patterns of failure in wrist arthroscopy and to report outcomes of a series of revision arthroscopy cases. Patients and Methods Retrospective review of 237 wrist arthroscopies revealed 21 patients with a prior arthroscopy for the same symptoms, of which 16 were assessed by questionnaires and physical exam for this study. Results Six of sixteen patients (38%) had unrecognized dynamic ulnar impaction after débridement of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears, which resolved with arthroscopic wafer resection. Five (31%) had persistent distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability after initial treatment of TFCC tears, requiring arthroscopic repair at revision. Four (25%) experienced diffuse dorsal wrist pain initially diagnosed as TFCC tears, but dynamic scapholunate ligament injuries were found and addressed with radiofrequency (RF) shrinkage at reoperation. Two (13%) required further resection of the radial styloid, after initial débridement was insufficient to correct radioscaphoid impingement. At a mean of 4.8 years after repeat arthroscopy (range, 1.5-13.4 years), this cohort had significant improvements in pain and satisfaction with outcomes after revision arthroscopy. Conclusions The most common indications for repeat wrist arthroscopy were ligamentous instability (of the DRUJ or scapholunate ligament) and osteoarthritis (from dynamic ulnar impaction or radioscaphoid impingement). Although revision wrist arthroscopy may yield acceptable outcomes, careful assessment of stability and cartilage wear at index procedure is crucial.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

 Level IV Therapeutic.

Prospective outcomes of arthroscopic treatment of dorsal wrist ganglia

The purpose of this study was to assess the results of arthroscopic resection of dorsal wrist ganglia. Between November 2002 and September 2007, all patients with dorsal wrist ganglia underwent arthroscopic resection in our institution. Average follow-up was 39.2 months (range, 24-71 months). Fifty-two patients (40 women and 12 men; mean age, 29.8 years) were treated with our operative technique. Symptoms at presentation were unpleasant appearance in 15 patients (28.8 %), pain in 30 (57.6%), and unpleasant appearance and pain in 7 (13.5%). The ganglion cyst site was in front of the midcarpal joint in 41 patients (78.8%), in front of the radiocarpal joint in 6 patients (11.5%), and in front of the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints in 5 patients (9.6%). Our surgical technique resulted in a significant improvement in flexion, extension, and grip strength (P≤.005). In patients with painful ganglia, treatment also had a significant effect. Nine (17.3%) recurrences were observed. Mean time off work was 14 days, but 19 patients returned to work immediately. According to the results of this study, we recommend the use of arthroscopy as the primary treatment method for dorsal wrist ganglion excision.

Accidental section of the ulnar nerve in the wrist during arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the wrist is a frequently performed procedure. Its role in diagnosis and treatment is significant. The complications of arthroscopy are well known and are described in the literature. We describe a case of accidental section of the ulnar nerve during repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex during arthroscopy. The nerve section was caused by the trocar used for drainage in the 6U portal. We propose to establish the injury mechanism and describe a safe procedure for this examination.

Arthroscopic resection of dorsal wrist ganglia: 114 cases with minimum follow-up of 2 years

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to review the results of arthroscopic resection of dorsal wrist ganglion (DWG), as well as to describe the senior author's technique and technical details to minimize potential complications.

METHODS

Between September 1999 and May 2004, 114 patients underwent arthroscopic resection of DWG with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. We describe the surgical technique and discuss our results and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 114 patients (87 female patients and 27 male patients) with a mean age of 33.1 years were treated with our operative technique. The symptoms at presentation were unsightly appearance in 63 (55.2%), pain in 33 (28.9%), and both unsightly appearance and pain in 18 (15.8%). The patients presented between 1 and 96 months before surgery (mean, 17.81 months). Of the patients, 66 (57.9%) had been treated previously with nonsurgical modalities (aspiration) and 1 had undergone open surgery. The origin of the DWG was more commonly related to the midcarpal joint (85 patients [74.6%]). Our surgery brought about a significant improvement in flexion and extension after surgery (P < .005). Similarly, our surgery brought about a significant improvement in grip strength (P < .005). In patients with preoperative pain, treatment also showed a significant impact. At 2 years' follow-up, there were 14 recurrences (12.3%), diagnosed at a mean of 16.86 months after surgery (range, 2 to 25 months). Complications were identified in 6 patients (5.26%), and the mean time off work was 11 days, with a majority of patients returning in less than 1 week.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic DWG resection showed an improvement in functional measurements in addition to relief of pain in a significant proportion of patients. Complications related to the operative technique did not cause any significant long-term functional deficit. The recurrence rate was 12.3%, and patient satisfaction was high. Arthroscopic technique allows patients to use their hand immediately. The results of this study support the use of arthroscopy as primary treatment for DWG resection.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Complication et prévention de l'arthroscopie du membre supérieur

Arthroscopy for upper limb joints disorders has been used increasingly over the past two decades, and is often considered by population as minor surgery. It would be a mistake to mask potential complications, even if they are less important than equivalent conventional technique. Complications depend on the joint, and despite the relative lack of experience for wrist and small joints, elbow arthroscopy seems to be the arthroscopic technique with most important complication rate. However, most of these complications remain minor and curable. Teaching of anatomy and arthroscopic techniques, respect of elementary prudence rules, should allow to control the risk and the learnig curve. Clear and honest information about potential complications provided to patient is certainly the best way to reduce consequences of these complications.

Installation, voies d'abord et exploration normale en arthroscopie du poignet

Arthroscopy is an accepted technique for evaluation of intra-articular pathology and treatment of a variety of disorders even in the wrist joint. Dedicated miniaturized instrumentation is needed along with a specific traction system. The external distraction alone (dry technique) allows for complete joint exploration and several type of arthroscopic surgery, avoiding annoying leaking in the subcutaneous tissues, though further distension of the articular pouches can be achieved by saline infusion (fluid distension or wet technique). Knowledge of surface anatomic landmarks and careful surgical technique are required for proper portal placement and in order to avoid injury to the numerous noble structures crossing nearby. Description of radio- and medio-carpal portals is provided along with the different bony, condral, synovial and ligamentous structures that can be visualised or treated through each portal. Surgeon can choose the most suitable portal for scope or instruments, according to specific needs for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.