Risk Assessment of Injury to Palmar Cutaneous Branch of the Median Nerve Using High-Resolution Ultrasound

Transbrachial Artery as Single or Combined Approach for Complex Interventions in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the transbrachial approach as a single or combined procedure for complex interventions in peripheral artery disease (PAD).

METHODS

Between March 2011 and April 2021, 169 patients with PAD underwent endovascular therapy via the transbrachial approach as a single or dual procedure. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the predictors of adverse events at the brachial puncture site. All demographic, clinical, and perioperative data were acquired from electronic medical records and retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Brachial artery access was used alone and in combination in 87 and 82 patients, respectively. Patients in the combined-approach group underwent more intraoperative stent implantations and had more vascular closure devices (VCD). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension was an independent factor for higher rates of brachial puncture site adverse events (odds ratio, 4.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-16.97; P = 0.016). Brachial artery access-site complications occurred in 26 patients, including 6 (23.1%) major and 20 (76.9%) minor entry-site complications. Entry-site complications were observed in 21 (16.8%) and 5 (11.4%) patients assigned to manual compression and VCD groups, respectively. There were no significant intergroup differences in the incidence of major or minor complications. Interestingly, patients assigned to the VCD group did not experience major entry-site complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The transbrachial approach, as a single or combined procedure, is a safe alternative to complex interventions in patients with PAD. Complications of brachial access progressively decrease with improved blood pressure control.

Pillar Pain After Minimally Invasive and Standard Open Carpal Tunnel Release: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Purpose

Pillar pain is a recognized postoperative complication of carpal tunnel release (CTR). Minimally invasive and alternative surgical techniques can theoretically prevent pillar pain, and the aim of this review was to compare the incidence of pillar pain after standard open CTR and alternative surgical techniques.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases were thoroughly searched. Randomized controlled trials comparing minimally invasive surgical techniques to standard open CTR were identified. Data, including surgical technique, number of hands, incidence of pillar pain, and follow-up intervals, were extracted. Odds ratios (OR) were expressed as pillar pain incidence in the intervention group relative to standard open CTR.

Results

There were 12 studies included. No statistically significant differences were noted among endoscopic (OR = 0.53, P = .20), flexor retinaculum lengthening (OR = 1.00, P = 1.00), short incision (OR = 0.41, P = .07) or illuminated knife techniques (OR = 0.18, P = .16). There was a statistically significant decrease in pillar pain after minimally invasive CTR (OR = 0.41, 95% confidence interval 0.20-0.86, I2 = 0%, P = .02) between 3- and 6-months follow-up; however, analyses at all other follow-up periods failed to reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Although our findings suggest that standard open CTR may be associated with an increased duration of pillar pain between 3 and 6 months postoperatively, our results suggest that minimally invasive CTR techniques do not affect either the initial development or persistence of pillar pain.

Clinical relevance

Our results illustrate the natural history of pillar pain with the majority of cases resolving after 6 months, highlighting the utility of symptomatic and conservative treatments and patient education in the management of pillar pain.

Ultrasound Imaging and Guidance for Distal Peripheral Nerve Pathologies at the Wrist/Hand

Ultrasound has emerged as a highly valuable tool in imaging peripheral nerve lesions in the wrist region, particularly for common pathologies such as carpal tunnel and Guyon's canal syndromes. Extensive research has demonstrated nerve swelling proximal to the entrapment site, an unclear border, and flattening as features of nerve entrapments. However, there is a dearth of information regarding small or terminal nerves in the wrist and hand. This article aims to bridge this knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive overview concerning scanning techniques, pathology, and guided-injection methods for those nerve entrapments. The median nerve (main trunk, palmar cutaneous branch, and recurrent motor branch), ulnar nerve (main trunk, superficial branch, deep branch, palmar ulnar cutaneous branch, and dorsal ulnar cutaneous branch), superficial radial nerve, posterior interosseous nerve, palmar common/proper digital nerves, and dorsal common/proper digital nerves are elaborated in this review. A series of ultrasound images are used to illustrate these techniques in detail. Finally, sonographic findings complement electrodiagnostic studies, providing better insight into understanding the whole clinical scenario, while ultrasound-guided interventions are safe and effective for treating relevant nerve pathologies.

Cadaveric Study of Thread Carpal Tunnel Release Using Newly Developed Thread, With a Histologic Perspective

OBJECTIVE

To examine the usefulness and feasibility of modified thread carpal tunnel release (TCTR) by comparing the results of using pre-existing commercial thread with those of a newly developed thread (Smartwire-01).

METHODS

A total of 17 cadaveric wrists were used in the study. The modified TCTR method was practiced by two different experts. Pre-existing commercial surgical dissecting thread (Loop&ShearTM) was used for five wrists and the newly developed Smartwire-01 was used for twelve wrists. The gross and microanatomy of the specimens were evaluated by a blinded anatomist.

RESULTS

Both types of thread were able to cut the TCL similarly. Gross anatomy and histologic findings showed that there was no significant difference between the two types of threads. However, the practitioners felt that it was easier to cut the TCL using the newly-developed thread.

CONCLUSION

TCTR using Smartwire-01 was as effective as pre-existing Loop&ShearTM, with better user experiences.

Anatomy of the nerves, vessels, and muscular compartments of the forearm, as revealed by high-resolution ultrasound. Part 1: overall structure and forearm compartments

In recent decades, high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) has revolutionized the morphological and structural evaluation of peripheral nerves and muscles, revealing details of the internal structure of the neural fascicles and muscle architecture. Applications range from diagnostics to interventional procedures. The anatomy of the forearm region is complex, with several muscles and an extensive network of vessels and nerves. To guarantee the success of the evaluation by HRUS, knowledge of the normal anatomy of the region is essential. The aim of these two companion articles is to present the normal anatomy of the nerves and compartments of the forearm, as revealed by HRUS, as well as the relationships between the main vessels and nerves of the region. Part 1 aims to review the overall structure of nerves, muscles and tendons, as seen on HRUS, and that of the forearm compartments. We present a practical approach, with general guidelines and tips on how best to perform the study. Part 2 is a pictorial essay about compartment vascularization and cutaneous innervation. Knowledge of the normal anatomy of the forearm improves the technical quality of the examinations, contributing to better diagnoses, as well as improving the performance and safety of interventional procedures.

Prevention and Management of Complications of Tissue Flaps

In this article, we discuss 4 common free flaps performed in reconstructive surgery: the anterolateral thigh flap, the radial forearm flap, the fibula flap, and the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous/deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. Donor and recipient complications for each flap type and strategies on how to prevent and manage such complications are discussed.

Is Palmar Cutaneous Branch of the Median Nerve More Swollen in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Objective

To investigate the characteristics of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCBMN) in patient with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using high-resolution ultrasound.

Methods

Fourteen healthy volunteers (17 wrists) and 31 patients with CTS (41 wrists) were evaluated by high-resolution ultrasound. All patients were classified into three groups based on the electrophysiologic CTS impairment severity: mild, moderate, and severe. Using high-resolution ultrasound, the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the PCBMN were measured at the proximal wrist crease, bistyloid line, and distal wrist crease, and the largest CSA was defined as the maximal CSA.

Results

The maximal CSA of the PCBMN of the control, mild, moderate, and severe CTS groups were 0.27±0.08, 0.30±0.07, 0.35±0.10, and 0.47±0.13 mm², respectively. The maximal CSA of the PCBMN was significantly larger in the severe CTS group than in the other groups.

Conclusion

The PCBMN could be concomitantly affected in patients with severe CTS.

Modified Carpal Tunnel Release: A New Approach to Minimizing Pillar Pain

INTRODUCTION

Pillar pain is a frequent postoperative complication of carpal tunnel release (CTR). The precise definition of pillar pain is lacking, but most authors describe it as diffuse aching pain and tenderness in the thenar and hypothenar area. The etiology of pillar pain is unclear. However, the most prevalent theory is the neurogenic theory, which attributes the pain to the damage of small nerve branches of palmar cutaneous branches of median nerve after surgical incision, with resulting entrapment of the nerves in the scar tissue at the incision site. We postulated that a main source of pillar pain is sensory neuromas along the incision site.In this article, we describe a simple modification of the standard CTR technique with intent to decrease neuroma formation and thus minimizing pillar pain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study comparing the incidence and duration of pillar pain between patients who underwent standard CTR (SCTR, n = 53) versus the minimizing pillar pain CTR technique (n = 55). Based on duration of pillar pain, the groups were placed into 3 subgroups (<3, 3-6, and >6 months). Presence and duration of pillar pain in each group were recorded along with return to work (RTW), complications, and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

The SCTR group had a total of 17 patients with pillar pain (32.1%), 5 of which resolved within 3 months, 7 within 3 to 6 months, and 5 in more than 6 months. The group that underwent the minimizing pillar pain technique had a total of 4 patients with pillar pain (7.2%). Three resolved within 3 months, 1 resolved within 3 to 6 months, and there were no patients with pillar pain lasting more than 6 months. Average RTW time for minimization of pillar pain CTR (MPPCTR) was 34.9 days. Average RTW time for SCTR was 54.8 days. Satisfaction was higher among patients who underwent surgery with MPPCTR.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these results, we concluded that MPPCTR compared with SCTR had equal complication rate, however, significantly lower incidence and duration of pillar pain, higher rate of satisfaction, and earlier RTW.

Ultrasound Findings in Less Frequent Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The most common etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is idiopathic. However, secondary causes of CTS should be considered when symptoms are unilateral, or electrodiagnostic studies are discrepant with the clinical presentation. Imaging of the carpal tunnel should be performed when secondary causes of CTS are suspected. An ultrasound evaluation of the carpal tunnel can assess for pathologic changes of the median nerve, detect secondary causes of CTS, and aid in surgical planning.