Surgical Technique and Outcomes of Reconstruction for Blauth Type III Thumb Hypoplasia

BACKGROUND

Historically, amputation and pollicization has been the recommended surgical treatment for Blauth type III hypoplastic thumbs. However, due to aesthetic objections or cultural preferences, some parents seek out alternative surgical options. The present study describes a nontraditional technique that preserves and augments the hypoplastic thumb.

METHODS

Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with Blauth type III hypoplastic thumbs who underwent thumb reconstruction at our institution from 2008 to 2018. The reconstruction procedure involved toe phalanx transfer, staged tendon transfers, and lengthening as needed. Motion was assessed categorically as ability to flex, extend, or oppose the thumb. Functionality was assessed as ability to pinch and grasp with the surgical hand. Patient- or parent-reported improvement in thumb function was also recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 13 patients, 100% could flex, extend, and oppose the thumb to some degree. Eleven patients (85%) had functional one-handed grasp, and 9 (69%) had a functional pinch. Eleven patients (85%) reported no functional limitations of the operative hand. Thirteen patients (100%) reported improvement in hand function after surgery as compared to pre-operatively. There were 2 minor complications (15%), both of which resolved after intervention. No patients experienced donor-site morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

Reconstruction of Blauth III thumbs is a nontraditional technique that allows for digit retention by salvaging the hypoplastic thumb. In the present study, the majority of patients had functional thumbs and all reported postoperative improvement. Overall, our results suggest that reconstruction is a viable surgical option for Blauth III hypoplastic thumbs.

Index Finger Pollicization Incisions for Congenital Thumb Aplasia: Review and Design of an Educational Anatomical Model for Skin Incisions

BACKGROUND

Pollicization of the index finger can be considered the gold standard technique for the treatment of congenital thumb aplasia. The aim of this study was to review the described incisions for pollicization and to create an anatomical framework enabling the study and comparison of these incisions.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed to collect descriptions of incision sets. An anatomical model was created from the two upper limbs of the same cadaver. Thumb aplasia was modeled on both hands of this cadaver by severing the thumbs; an index finger pollicization was performed on one of the two hands. Comparative analysis of scar positions, first web size, and neothumb aspect of each incision set was conducted using a surgical glove modeling the skin. The glove was fitted onto the aplastic model to draw the incisions and then onto the pollicized hand to adjust the resulting flaps after cutting.

RESULTS

Twelve articles, two textbooks, and one DVD were included in the review, either containing an original description of incisions, or describing an incision pattern with figures and references to the initial author. A total of five different incision sets, described by Buck-Gramcko, Blauth, Foucher, Ezaki, and Malek, were identified and compared using the anatomical model.

CONCLUSIONS

This work summarizes five original incisions described for index pollicization in thumb aplasia and presents a standardized and reliable model to study and compare these different sets. The model can be used for educational purposes, either to teach or to optimize an incision set.

Methods for Congenital Thumb Hypoplasia Reconstruction. A Review of the Outcomes for Ten Years of Surgical Treatment

Background and objectives: Congenital thumb hypoplasia is a rare deformity of upper extremity. The incidence for thumb hypoplasia grade II–V is 1:10,000 newborns per year in Latvia. A technique for extensor indicis proprius (EIP) tendon transfer with subperiosteal fixation was developed and used for thumb hypoplasia grades II and IIIa. Pollicization or second-toe-to-hand transplantation with metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint arthrodesis was used for the reconstruction of hypoplasia grade IIIb–V. The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to evaluate the outcomes for reconstruction techniques used in one surgical center during a ten-year period by one surgeon to evaluate functional and aesthetical outcomes for new techniques. Materials and Methods: In total, 21 patients were operated on during 2007–2017, and 18 of these patients were involved in this study. Long-term follow-up was completed to evaluate the functions and aesthetics of the hands. Results: disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) was 9.35 (8–10.7) for the second-toe-to-hand with MTP joint arthrodesis transplantation method for pollicization method 19.8 (6–26.7), and for the EIP tendon transposition, 14.54 (0.9–56.3). Conclusions: The postoperative functional parameters of congenital hand hypoplasia patients, regardless of the surgical method, are worse than the functional results of healthy patients. The use of the second-toe-to-hand with MTP joint arthrodesis transplantation method provides patients with congenital hand IIIb–V hypoplasia a stable and functional first finger formation. The functional results are comparable to the clinical results of the pollicization method while ensuring the creation of a five-digit hand.

Nail size and appearance following nail fusion plasty of thumb duplication✰

PURPOSE

To evaluate nail appearance after nail fusion plasty to treat thumb duplication.

METHODS

A modified form of nail fusion plasty was performed on 17 reconstructed thumbs of 16 children with thumb duplications, commencing in January 2010. We assessed nail width and nail, lunular, and nail fold deformities using the Wang-Gao scoring system. All 17 thumbs were evaluated over an average of 32 months (range, 12-48 months) of follow-up.

RESULTS

One patient with bilateral thumb deformities was excluded. The width ratios of 15 reconstructed nails (compared with those of the contralateral thumbs) were 82-118% (average, 97%). Nine thumbs exhibited nail ridges or gaps; the average ridge/gap score was 1.23 (maximum, 2). Six thumbs exhibited lunular deformities; the average score was 1.58 (maximum, 2). Another six thumbs evidenced nail fold deformities; the average score was 1.64 (maximum, 2). Only one thumb exhibited nail dehiscence. Two thumbs had no nail deformity. The final assessments were excellent in 14 cases, good in 2 cases, and fair in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONS

We could not significantly reduce the deformity rate of the nail plate, nail fold, or lunula using our new technique, but the deformities were much less marked than previously. Nail fusion plasty usefully enlarges the nail and pulp in patients with hypoplastically duplicated thumbs.

Long-Term Outcomes of Huber Opposition Transfer for Augmenting Hypoplastic Thumb Function

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to report the functional outcomes of the Huber opposition transfer (abductor digiti minimi muscle) in types II and IIIA hypoplastic thumbs.

METHODS

Patients who had undergone a Huber opposition transfer with at least 5 years of follow-up were included in this study. There were 21 thumbs included; 12 returned for a detailed evaluation and 9 were included with a medical record review. Outcome measures included range of motion and pinch strength; Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores were collected on those who could return. There were 15 type II and 6 type IIIA thumbs.

RESULTS

Range of motion was significantly less than normal for both the interphalangeal and the metacarpophalangeal joints. For the returning cohort, key and tripod pinch were 44% and 65% of normal. The median Kapandji score was 9 (range, 6-10). The PODCI scores were high for global, upper extremity function, happiness, and pain. The PROMIS scores were similar to normal, except for parent reports of physical function. For all included patients, there was a revision surgery rate of 22%, primarily related to persistent instability.

CONCLUSIONS

At a minimum 5-year follow-up, the Huber opposition transfer for types II and IIIA thumbs was shown to provide good subjective outcomes, despite limited range of motion and strength.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.

[Thinning of the free muscle flaps for the treatment of hand and foot defects]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility of one-stage thinning of latissimus dorsi muscle, rectus abdominis muscle and gracilis flap in reconstruction of the hand and foot defects.

METHODS

From June 2009 to April 2015,24 free muscle flaps were thinned during transfer operation by removing their superficial muscle layers on the basis of their vessel pedicles running in the deep surface of flaps. The surface of the muscle flaps were covered by split-thickness skin grafts. There were 16 latissimus dorsi muscle flaps,4 gracilis flaps and 4 rectus abdominis muscle flaps. Flap size ranged from 6 cm × 4 cm to 20 cm × 12 cm. Thinned muscle flaps were used to resurface 7 hand defects and 17 foot defects.

RESULTS

All muscle flaps survived the thinning procedures without any circulation problems except for one case which suffered total flap necrosis due to venous thrombosis. Skins grafts on muscle flaps also took well. One patient experienced partial skin loss. Two patients underwent secondary debridement and thinning procedure for infection and bulkiness. During the 0.3-20 months follow-up, the contour of thinned muscle flaps matched well with the recipient areas. Reconstructed feet are able to wear regular shoes.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative immediate thinning of free muscle flaps can be safely accomplished during the primary reconstruction procedure. This procedure prevents the limitations of muscle flap bulkiness and may provide an alternative for surface coverage.

[Reconstruction for dysplastic polydactyly of thumb with an island compound flap]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the necessity and feasibility of digit fusion with an advanced island flap in thumb dysplasia of radial polydactyly.

METHODS

From February 2007 to January 2015,we collected the patients with radial polydactyly, whose nail width or thumb girth was less than 80％ of contralateral side. Among them, some patients were also associated with radial deviation deformities in two thumbs or a shorter radial thumb compared with ulnar thumb. In these cases, an island compound flap, which was based on proper palmar digital artery (PPDA) in radial thumb and contained nail, part distal phalanx and skin, combining with ulnar side of ulnar thumb was used to reconstruct a new thumb. Only the patients with a smaller thumb girth were treated by an island flap to augment the thumb size. There were 26 patients, including 29 sides.Preoperative Doppler ultrasonic examination was assigned to observe the amount and distribution of princepspollicisartery(PPA) and PPDA. Appearances were evaluated by Wang -Gao scoring system and functions were evaluated by Tata scoring system.

RESULTS

There were two basic artery forms through preoperative ultrasonography and surgical exploration in 29 hands: both thumbs only had one PPDA; the main thumb had two while the extra thumb still had one. The former was responsible in 82.76％ (24 hands).All cases were operated according to preoperative design using an island compound flap.26 hands in 23 patients were followed up more than 6 months. Flap results included survival in 22 patients, tension vesicle in 2 patients and tip necrosis in 2 patients. The incision was infected in one patient with the treatment of changing dressing regularly. The function results were excellent in 21 patients, good in 4,fair in 1.Aesthetic results were excellent in 13 patients, good in 4 and fair in 1.

CONCLUSIONS

There is always one developed PDAA in extra thumb, which can be used to design a flap. The longitudinal advanced flap can also eliminate the tension caused by unequal length in two thumbs. Using an axial or island flap to reconstruct a new thumb can not only change the appearance, but also make the reconstructed thumb acquire two sets of blood supply and nerve system.

[A boy with functional impairment of his thumb]

An 11-year-old boy was referred with poorly understood atrophy of his thenar and functional impairment of his right thumb. Sensation in the median nerve distribution was normal but the affected thumb was smaller with decreased skin creases, an unstable metacarpophalangeal joint and diminished strength. He was diagnosed with a type 2 hypoplastic thumb and we advised an opponensplasty.

Long term functional outcomes after early childhood pollicization

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective Cohort

INTRODUCTION

Important outcomes of polliciation to treat thumb hypoplasia/aplasia include strength, function, dexterity, and quality of life.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To evaluate outcomes and examine predictors of outcome after early childhood pollicization.

METHODS

8 children (10 hands) were evaluated 3-15 years after surgery. Physical examination, questionnaires, grip and pinch strength, Box and Blocks, 9-hole pegboard, and strength-dexterity (S-D) tests were performed.

RESULTS

Pollicized hands had poor strength and performance on functional tests. Six of 10 pollicized hands had normal dexterity scores but less stability in maintaining a steady-state force. Predictors of poorer outcomes included older age at surgery, reduced metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal range of motion, and radial absence.

DISCUSSION

Pollicization resulted in poor strength and overall function, but normal dexterity was often achieved using altered control strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Most children should obtain adequate dexterity despite weakness after pollicization except older or severely involved children.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

[The past and present of thumb reconstruction]

The thumb is the most important digit for hand function. Its role is not only functional, but also aesthetic, the hand being a very exposed part of the body. Loss of the thumb can lead to life-long physical and mental stigma. With regard to this experience, early reconstruction of the thumb in order to return patients to normal life as soon as possible is clearly preferred. When using early thumb reconstruction, the patient does not gain wrong stereotypes in hand-grip manoeuvres. The paper presents an overview of current options for non-microsurgical and microsurgical thumb reconstruction techniques.

[CLINICAL RESEARCH OF POSTOPERATIVE DEVIATION SECONDARY TO THUMB DUPLICATION RESECTION]

OBJECTIVE

To study the causes and treatment of postoperative deviation secondary to thumb duplication resection.

METHODS

Between 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.

RESULTS

All 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).

CONCLUSION

Getting good result and preventing postoperative deviation for thumb duplication resection acquires appropriate preoperative design, reconstruction of the insertion of the abductor poll icis 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.

Reconstructive surgery in children to correct ulnar claw hand deformity due to leprosy

OBJECTIVES

To study the impact of tendon transfer surgery for ulnar claw hand correction in children with leprosy.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

All the children who underwent reconstructive surgery for ulnar nerve paralysis during the period 2007 to 2012 were included in the study. Unassisted angle, grasp contact, pinch contact and functional assessment were the main outcome measures. All the surgical procedures were performed by the same surgeon and pre- and post-operative therapy protocol was same for all the patients. A common surgical audit form was used to record assessments for all the patients.

RESULTS

In this case series, 82 hands of 79 patients with ulnar paralysis were included. All the children had lasso surgery. In 83% of hands, flexor digitorum superficialis of middle or ringer finger was used, while in the remaining patients palmaris longus or extensor carpi radialis longus with fascia lata graft was used as the motor tendon. The unassisted angle decreased in all the patients, indicating correction of claw fingers. Hand function improved after surgery and it showed steady progress during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The deformity due to leprosy in the hands of children is a tragedy as it hampers the use of hands in daily routine activities, school work and other social interactions. Tendon transfer surgery should be done on children to correct established clawed fingers as it yields good results and helps in facilitating hand function to complete daily activities and lead a normal life.

Invasive macrodystrophia lipomatosa of the hand

OBJECTIVE

The Authors point out the interest of differential diagnosis and conservative surgical treatment of a rare case of digital and ulnar side of the hand gigantism, with massive fatty infiltration of soft tissues and a neurovascular bundle, to be included into Macrodystrophia Lipomatosa with fibrolipomatous hamartomata.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Excision of the mass included 4th ray disarticulation (the fifth had been amputated several years ago) as well as microsurgical external and internal neurolysis of the ulnar nerve, the ulnar neurovascular bundle being exposed and covered with dermal substitute INTEGRATM, with a good result both from a cosmetic and functional point of view at three year follow up.

RESULTS

This is the first report of INTEGRATM covering of a neurovascular bundle. Samples taken from the dermal substitute matrix interface at day 6 and day 25 were examined with transmission Electron Microscopy: a newly formed tissue, rich in precursor cells, was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative surgery, requiring particular microsurgical skills and use of dermal templates, plays an outstanding role in treatment of these rare but aggressive soft tissues masses of the upper limb.

[Optimal surgical timing and treatment of thumb duplication in children]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the optimal surgical timing and treatment of congenital duplication of the thumb in children.

METHODS

A clinical study was performed on 154 fingers of the 132 patients (including 85 males, 47 females;mean age (1.53 +/- 2.47) years; ranged from 2 months to 13 years). Duplicated thumbs were surgically treated from December 2007 to February 2012. All patients underwent detailed physical examination and radiological assessment. Surgical methods should be selected according to the age, Wassel classification and deformity. The operation steps included resection of the most hypoplastic thumb, followed by skin flap plasty, tendon shift (transplantation) , reconstruction of collateral ligament and articular capsule. 11 cases over the age of 6 underwent osteotomy discretion as appropriate.

RESULTS

A total of 117 fingers of the 104 patients were followed up for an average 36. 7 months (range,6-55 months). We adopted upgrade Tada standard to evaluate the follow-up results as excellent in 77 thumbs, good in 21 thumbs, fair in 15 thumbs and poor in 4 thumbs. Three thumbs appeared secondary angular deformity 2 years after operation and one thumb appeared residual osteoepiphysis in the radial side of metacarpophalangeal joint 3 years after operation. The appearance and the function were almost normal after second operation.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal surgical timing of congenital duplication of thumb should be based on the appearance of thumb ossification center. The surgical timing of Wassel type- I and II should be chosen at 1. 5 years old when the ossification center of distal phalanx appears, Wassel type-III and IV should be chosen at 1 year old when the ossification center of proximal phalanx appears, Wassel type-V and VI should be chosen at 2. 5 years old when the ossification center of metacarpal appears, and Wassel type-VII should be chosen at 2. 5 years old. The surgical method should be selected on individualized principle. The key points are reconstruction of collateral ligament, tendon and articular capsule and correction of ulnar deviation (or radial deviation).

[Soft tissue reconstruction for secondary deformity after correction of Wassel type IV-D thumb duplication]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate an effective therapeutic method for the secondary deformity after the correction of the Wassel type IV thumb duplication.

METHODS

9 cases of Wassel W-D Complex thumb deformities in children with postoperative secondary deformity, including 6 males and 3 female, were treated. The age ranged from 2.0 to 14 years old with an average of 5.3 years old. During the operation, the anatomical structure was dissected to observe the structure and alignment of the flexor tendon as well as anatomical structure of the joint. In the meantime, the flexor pollicis longus tendon was shifted, A2 pulley was reconstructed, joint capsule was released and contracted, the end point of thenar was shifted. Kirschner wires fixation were used for about 4-5 weeks, the brace fixation for about 3 months.

RESULTS

All the patients had radial side skin contracture of the interphalangeal joint, radial deviation of the thumb tip, radial side contracture and ulnar relaxation of the joint capsule. Flexor hallucis longus tendon was located in front of the radial side of the proximal phalanx, with no wrapped sheath or A2 pulley. Flexor hallucis longus tendon was attached to the thumb tip substrate, of which 1/3 was located in the center and 2/3 in the radial side. The thumb tip rotated about 10 degrees-15 degrees to the radial side. The patients were followed up for 6-38 months, with an average of 24 months. We adopted Tada standard to evaluate the follow-up results as excellent in 7 cases, good in 1 case, poor in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONS

Soft tissue reconstruction for the secondary deformity after the correction of the Wassel type IV-D thumb duplication is an effective method. Application of the brace after removal of Kirschner wires has an important role in preventing the secondary deformity.

Allogreffe de main chez le nouveau-né agénésique: étude de faisabilité

Would a newborn with a single hand benefit from hand allograft? Transantebrachial aplasia is the chosen clinical form of agenesia in our interrogation. The feasibility study presents several aspects: 1) ethical and psychological aspects. Is this a desired surgery for agenesic population? Which are the functional, psychological and social situations of agenesic patient? Is the hand transplantation in newborn ethically acceptable? What is the parents' attitude toward agenesia? Can we envisage organ donation in neonatal period? 2) immunological aspects. The non-vital character of this condition and its' good functional tolerance cannot make accepting the risk of adverse effects of hand allotransplantation. Hence, one may consider this surgery only without immunosuppression. Can the peculiarities of the neonate "immature" immune system represent an opportunity of easier tolerance obtaining, avoiding immunosuppression? 3) anatomical and technical aspects. The proximal tissues at the level of amputation are all hypoplastic in agenesic patients. Can we efficaciously suture those structures with donor eutrophic tissues? 4) cognitive aspects. Is a neonate born with only one hand is able to use two? A feasibility study on such a subject needs to take into account all these aspects. This research is useful because, even if hand allograft in agenesic newborn will never be done, the provided information will allow to progress in the vaster domain of composite tissue allotransplantation in perinatology.

The psychological and social impact of disfigurement to the hand in children and adolescents

Hand disfigurement creates potential problems for the developing child. Parental adjustment to the hand is of prime importance in the child's ability to accept and integrate the disfigurement. Self-consciousness follows a developmental path because of internal and external factors in the child's development. This paper presents a research study carried out in order to examine the decision-making process in toe-to-hand transfers. 34 families were assessed of whom 27 decided to proceed with surgery following the decision-making process. Factors which influenced that decision included the way the surgeon communicated information. Those who decided against surgery tended to have more positive beliefs about the role of the disfigured hand in the child's psychological development. The process of decision-making allowed families and the older children to engage in a therapeutic approach.

[Double toe to hand transfer in children with symbrachydactyly]

INTRODUCTION

Symbrachydactyly is fairly frequent congenital malformation that appears during first weeks of pregnancy. The range of clinical presentations goes from hypoplastic fingers to true agenesis. Although it usually appears in a random fashion, sometimes it is associated to other systemic malformations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The aim of this study is to check the functional, cosmetic and psychological results of those patients affected of grade IV symbrachydactyly treated using a double second toe transfer. The method employed is a retrospective study of the clinical records from 6 patients (5 males and 1 female) operated in our Department during the last five years. The follow up period was from 3 months to five years.

RESULTS

Transfer from the second toe to the first ray was performed during the first surgical period, while transfer to the fourth ray was done in a second procedure. The mean age for the first operation was 19 months, and 30 months for the second one. There were no flap failure or major surgical complications. Tenolysis and tenoplasty was done in two patients to improve flap function and position. Motion rehabilitation was installed during the postoperative period. Functional, opposing pinch, and cosmetic results were satisfactory. Parents "and patients" psychological acceptance was also good. No walk disturbance was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Double second toe to hand transfer is a good option for the symbrachydactyly treatment in cases of thumb agenesis. Rehabilitation is the key clue for functional recovery. Surgery improves social and family relationships.

[Repair of flexor contracture of the hand]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the etiology of the flexor contracture of the hand, to diagnose and to explore its surgical treatment.

METHODS

From May 1997 to June 2004, 212 cases of flexor contraction of the hand were treated with scar excision, thorough loosening the contracture, covering the secondary skin defects with free skin grafting, "Z"-plasty, double "V-Y" plasty, transposition of the palmar dorsum flap of the hand and iliac-inguinal flap. There were 163 males and 49 females, whose ages ranged from 3 to 61. There were 85 cases of left hands, 54 cases of right hands, and 73 cases of both hands. Contracture sites were as follow: 117 cases were in fingers, 32 cases located in palms and 63 cases were in both. Causes of deformity were as follow: 29 cases derived from burn and explosion, 127 cases came from contracture of palmar aponeurosis, 31 cases were because of traffic accident and machine extrusion, 5 cases for getting an electric shock, 14 cases for improper postoperative immobility, and 6 cases for other reasons. Course of diseases lasted for 2 to 24 months.

RESULTS

149 cases were followed up for 4 to 30 months. One fingertip was in necrosis and ended in nub plasty because of inappropriate time to leave hospital. Flexion contracture recurred in 7 cases, skin necrosis occurred to 3 cases whose scars were healed in the end, poor restoration of function was observed in 2 children patients for lack of exercise, and 2 skins contracted after free cut skin grafting. Others got satisfactory results.

CONCLUSION

Once the pathogenesis and contracture factors are clearly known, timing and correct surgical measures are chosen, thorough contracture is loosened, and early postoperative exercises are performed, good effect will be achieved.

[The palmar nail syndrome. Case report]

The congenital ectopic nail is very rare and usually present as an ectopic abnormal nail alongside the normal fingernail. Ridder described in 1992 the "congenital palmar nail syndrome" sharing a palmar ectopic nail, a loss of flexion and a small distal phalanx on x-ray. We report a case of a congenital palmar nail syndrome of both little fingers on a boy 13 years old.

Volunteering in the developing world: The 2003-2004 Sterling Bunnell Traveling Fellowship to Honduras and Cambodia

One of the goals of my Sterling Bunnell Traveling Fellowship, sponsored by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand, was to serve the poor in developing countries. I had the unique opportunities to work in Honduras and Cambodia, 2 countries with rich cultural heritage residing at opposite ends of the world. This report describes my observations and my experiences in these 2 countries.

Palmaris longus--a muscle with multiple uses in leprosy-affected hands

The present paper reviews the anatomy of palmaris longus muscle and also the situations where palmaris longus muscle has been used as an independent motor or as a donor of tendon graft material. Its relevance in leprosy-affected hands is also discussed because the muscle is usually spared in hand palsies consequent to leprotic neural damage. The advantages and disadvantages of its use in different operative procedures have been analyzed. The author's experience with this muscle in the correction of hand deformities in leprosy is described.

[The "candlestick" technique for the correction of certain types of congenital metacarpal synotosis]

Metacarpal synostosis is a rare congenital hand malformation requiring only occasionally a surgical correction. However in case of divergent epiphyses there is a progressive accentuation of the deformity. In the "Y" type of symmetrical synostosis, the authors propose a trapezoidal osteotomy with upside down relocation allowing realignement of the epiphyses without distant bone donor site.

[The posterior interosseous flap in the child: 13 case reports]

INTRODUCTION

The posterior interosseous flap is used to cover skin defects in the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow. It is currently, commonly indicated for adults, but it may be used for child too.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Twelve children underwent a posterior interosseus flap (13 flaps). Their ages ranged from 3 to 17.5 years with a mean of 6.5 years. There were seven boys and five girls. The flaps were used to treat different type of lesions: the most frequent etiology was burn injuries or sequels (nine patients), there were one extravasation of anticarcinogenic agent, one syndactyly and one arthrogryposis. The localizations of the skin loss were the first web space (six patients), the dorsal hand (five patients) and the elbow (two patients).

RESULTS

The average of the operation was eighty minutes. The survival of the flaps was excellent. Only one flap had a partial necrosis.

CONCLUSION

Posterior interosseus flap may be used in coverage of children's limb. The diameter of the vessels is not a difficulty in the flap dissection. As the adults, the viability of the flap is excellent and allows to cover most of the skin defect of the dorsal hand or elbow.

The digital extensor mechanism of the hand

In summary, there is a complex interplay between the extrinsic and intrinsic components of the digital extensor mechanism. Numerous examples of dynamic anatomy and pathology of the extensor mechanism in common clinical settings have been described. Treatment principles have been outlined. This review should provide the orthopaedic surgeon with a framework for management of common hand problems.

[Melorheostosis: a case review and review of literature]

The authors present a review of the literature and the diagnostic difficulties in a case of melorheostosis in a 6 year old boy. Melorheostosis is characterized by longitudinal foci of subcutaneous sclerosis, limitation of motion in the joints and swelling of the knee and ankle joints. Radiologically numerous foci of hyperostosis similar to wax flowing down a burning candle have been noted.

Psychological aspects of toe to hand transfer in children. Comparison of views of children and their parents

Thirty-seven children with congenital (n = 32) or post-traumatic (n = 5) hand anomalies underwent unilateral or bilateral toe transfers. All had undergone preoperative counselling. After rehabilitation and more than 1 year after surgery, the children and their parents were reviewed by a clinical psychologist to assess the psychosocial outcome of the surgery. A high level of satisfaction was reported with regard to the surgery, in terms of function, cosmesis, donor site, psychosocial wellbeing and the reactions of others. This was true regardless of the gender of the child. However, there was a tendency for the children to be more positive in their responses than their parents.

[Epidermolysis bullosa hereditaria dystrophica mutilans Hallopeau-Siemens--a complex problem]

Epidermolysis bullosa hereditaria dystrophica mutilans Hallopeau-Siemens is an autosomal recessive, chronically mutilating disease. Causal therapy is not known. In a five-year-old boy suffering from this disease and having the right hand completely clumped to a fist, syndactyly and contraction release was performed. The wounds healed under the care of the silicone-coated polyamide net dressing Mepitel. Under intensive postoperative physio- and ergotherapeutic care, a major part of his previous hand function could be restored. Complete epithelialization occurred within four weeks. Twelve months after the procedure, the area of the previous lesions was marked by an unexpected mechanical stability. It was very impressive to see the improvement in his psychological well-being and his sense of self-esteem during this period of partial recovery of his hand function.

A rare variant of mirror hand: a case report

Mirror hand is one of the rarest congenital differences of the upper extremity. Typically, there is absence of the radius, duplication of the ulna, and 7 digits in mirrored symmetry about the middle finger. We report a case of a rarer subset of hand duplication in which there is a normal radius and ulna and a hand with 8 digits. The patient underwent surgery to excise the radial 3 digits and to reconstruct the remaining radial digit to function as an opposable, 2 phalanx thumb. Wrist extension was augmented by transferring the digital extensors from the excised fingers to the radial wrist extensors.

Strength measurements of the lumbrical muscles

This study was designed to measure the strength of the lumbrical muscles in the index and long fingers in patients with ulnar nerve paralysis. A hand-held dynamometer was used. The results show that in ulnar nerve damage the index and long fingers have a mean metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint flexion strength of 0.8 kg (range 0.3-1.5), compared with 6.4 kg (range 4.6-7.9) in the noninvolved hand. Thus, the damaged fingers have only about 12% of the strength of those of the noninvolved hand. In the hand with ulnar paralysis, the loss of intrinsic strength (dorsal and palmar interosseous muscles) is considerable (almost 90%). The contribution of the interosseous muscles in maintaining the intrinsic position is considerably greater than that of the lumbricals. Comparing the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale (0-5) with the dynamometry measurements shows that MRC grade 3 correlates with about 0.8 kg, while grade 5 correlates with about 6.5 kg of MCP joint flexion strength.

Surgical treatment and postoperative splinting of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

Digital contractures and pseudosyndactyly, common manifestations in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, cause significant functional impairment. The deformities progress with time, although surgery may delay the progression. The role of surgical intervention, hand therapy, and the use of prolonged splinting was examined in seven children (nine hands) with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa with an average age of 5 years, 8 months (range, 1 year, 10 months to 16 years, 4 months). The technique of surgery, postoperative regimen, and splinting differ from those previously reported. Surgery includes "de-cocooning" the hand and fingers, manipulating contracted joints, and full-thickness skin grafting to dermal defects. Surgery and the postoperative regimen of rigid night splints and web-retaining gloves for day wear has allowed arrest or minimal progression of contractures in complaint patients in short-term follow-up study of an average of 17 months (range, 12-28 months). An interdisciplinary team of physicians and surgeons, therapists, and nurses makes this care regimen possible and influences family compliance.

[Psychogenic spastic hand]

Twelve patients seen over a 8-year period with psychogenic spasms of the hand are reported. Six elderly patients presented with extrinsic flexion of the two or three medial fingers with sparing of the thumb and index. Six other patients had various hand attitudes following coincidental but not causal trauma to the upper extremity. Because of the differences in clinical presentation, age of patients and coincident trauma in some cases, the former patients were characterized as type I psychogenic spasms and the latter as type II. A major recurrent depression was the commonest psychiatric diagnosis (DSM-III-R, Axis I) with a concurrent dependent or borderline personality (DSM-III-R, Axis II). The diagnosis of psychogenic spasm of the hand is a diagnosis of exclusion, that requires a multidisciplinary approach including surgeon, neurologist, psychiatrist and rehabilitation therapist. Electromyographic studies are used to rule out a neurological or muscular etiology of the condition. Surgical treatment was uniformly unsuccessful and is probably contraindicated. Only one patient had a nearly complete spontaneous recovery.

The retrograde radial fascial forearm flap: surgical rationale, technique, and clinical application

The retrograde radial fascial forearm flap may be used to provide appropriate tissue coverage for nerve, tendon, or soft tissue defects in the forearm and hand. The procedure is differentiated from the standard radial forearm flap in that the radial artery remains intact when the retrograde radial fascial flap is designed. The rationale, technique, and clinical application of the flap are presented in order to allow surgeons to maintain the radial arterial trunk in continuity while obtaining the advantage of appropriate soft tissue cover in this critical area.

Analysis of finger extensor mechanism strains

Strains in the extensor mechanism of the finger were measured in a cadaver model using Hall-effect transducers. Several components of the mechanism were evaluated at different joint positions, with different intrinsic and extrinsic tendon loading conditions, and after creating a boutonnière deformity. Landsmeer's theory that predictable and obligatory interactions occur within the extensor mechanism during finger movement is strongly supported by our results. The concept of the Bunnell intrinsic-tightness test was confirmed. Results were consistent with clinical observations and current theories on the pathomechanics of claw and boutonnière deformities. Based on our experimental findings, we conclude that strain analysis is an effective method of evaluation of the extensor mechanism with potential for in vivo surgical applications.

Nail plasty in the treatment of duplicated thumb

We present refinements in the treatment of duplicated thumb. When applying the modified Bilhauts procedure including the nail, this design based on a lunula is useful to construct a natural looking nail in Wassel types 2 to 4. No bone fixation of each segment is also effective to produce an even transverse curvature of the reconstructed nail.

Toe-to-hand transfers in children

One hundred three microvascular toe-to-hand transfers were performed on 66 pediatric patients with congenital and posttraumatic deformities. Techniques for dissection and transfer of individual and composite toes were elaborated, and adjunctive procedures were added when indicated.

Magnetic resonance imaging to visualize the internal anatomy in the Baller-Gerold syndrome

The Baller-Gerold syndrome is identified by radial aplasia with craniosynostosis. Only 12 cases have been reported previously in the literature; none of the reports describe surgical treatment for the radial aplasia. We report the case of a 10-month-old female infant with this syndrome, including severe bilateral radial clubhands. A radial anlage, which was tethering growth of the ulna, was suspected on physical examination and confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging. Resection of the anlage resulted in dramatic improvement in elbow extension, but additional follow-up will be necessary to determine the complete functional effect of the procedure.

The anatomy and treatment of camptodactyly of the small finger

Having observed an anomalous insertion of the lumbrical muscle in 74 consecutive operations for correction of camptodactyly of the small finger, we have concluded that the loss of normal lumbrical action is the principal cause of the intrinsic minus deformity seen in this condition. Other anatomic abnormalities observed in this series of patients are those of the superficial tendon in 47%, the x-ray appearance of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint in 15%, and a fixed flexion contracture of the PIP joint in 66%. Fifty-seven percent of our patients had PIP flexion contracture of more than 45 degrees. To determine the contribution of these anomalies to this deformity, we analyzed a series of 53 patients who had been followed up for at least 1 year. The study revealed that these conditions are interdependent and that each had an adverse effect on the final operative results. Treatment included a transfer of the superficial tendon of the ring or little finger to the extensor mechanism of the little finger in all cases and other procedures as dictated by the individual situation. Overall, the joint contracture was reduced from 49 degrees to 25 degrees, but only 33% of the patients regained full flexion of the small finger.

Extensor indicis proprius opponensplasty

An analysis of 39 patients (40 hands) who underwent an extensor indicis proprius opponensplasty was carried out. Of these, 29 hands had simultaneous adjuvant surgery to correct other deformities. The mean follow-up period was 33.8 months. Excellent or good results were seen in 87.5%, fair in 10% and poor in 2.4% hands.