The surgical burden of disease and perioperative mortality in patients admitted to hospitals in Victoria, Australia: a population-level observational study

OBJECTIVES

Comprehensive reporting of surgical disease burden and outcomes are vital components of resilient health systems but remain under-reported. The primary objective was to identify the Victorian surgical burden of disease necessitating treatment in a hospital or day centre, including a thorough epidemiology of surgical procedures and their respective perioperative mortality rates (POMR).

DESIGN

Retrospective population-level observational study.

SETTING

The study was conducted in Victoria, Australia. Access to data from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset was obtained using the Dr Foster Quality Investigator tool. The study included public and private facilities, including day-case facilities.

PARTICIPANTS

From January 2014 to December 2016, all admissions with an International Statistical Classification of Diseases-10 code matched to the Global Health Estimates (GHE) disease categories were included.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Admissions were assigned a primary disease category according to the 23 GHE disease categories. Surgical procedures during hospitalisations were identified using the Australian Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (AR-DRG). POMR were calculated for GHE disease categories and AR-DRG procedures.

RESULTS

A total of 4 865 226 admitted episodes were identified over the 3-year period. 1 715 862 (35.3%) of these required a surgical procedure. The mortality rate for those undergoing a procedure was 0.42%, and 1.47% for those without. The top five procedures performed per GHE category were lens procedures (162 835 cases, POMR 0.001%), caesarean delivery (76 032 cases, POMR 0.01%), abortion with operating room procedure (65 451 cases, POMR 0%), hernia procedures (52 499 cases, POMR 0.05%) and other knee procedures (47 181 cases, POMR 0.004%).

CONCLUSIONS

Conditions requiring surgery were responsible for 35.3% of the hospital admitted disease burden in Victoria, a rate higher than previously published from Sweden, New Zealand and the USA. POMR is comparable to other studies reporting individual procedures and conditions, but has been reported comprehensively across all GHE disease categories for the first time.

Surgical Treatment for Vertigo: Patient Survey of Vertigo, Imbalance, and Time Course for Recovery

OBJECTIVES: To assess surgical treatment of vertigo by patient ratings of postoperative vertigo, imbalance, and timing of symptom improvement.

METHODS: A total of 3637 surgeries for vertigo were performed since 1974. Questionnaires sent to a random sample of patients operated since 1994 were completed by 28 endolymphatic sac shunt (ES), 54 vestibular nerve section (VNS), and 14 labyrinthectomy patients.

RESULTS: All groups rated current vertigo characteristics and AAO-HNS disability as improved (all P ≤ 0.001), though “spinning dizziness” remained in some patients in each group. The ES and VNS groups rated all characteristics of imbalance as improved (all P ≤ 0.001), but it remained present in the majority. Vertigo resolved within 2 months in 75%, but some indicated months or even 1 to 2 years before attacks stopped.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on patient ratings, surgery improved vertigo in all surgical groups and improved imbalance for ES and VNS groups. Imbalance will likely remain after surgery for vertigo. Patients should be informed that symptoms may not immediately resolve.

[Destruction of the Humeral Head in Sensory Deficit due to the Spinal Hemorhagia. Case Report]

Degenerative changes of the shoulder are a common complication in patients after spinal cord injury. The main cause is chronic overload to the shoulder joint due to manual wheelchair propulsion and transfers. Reduced shoulder function has a significant impact on all aspects of daily life. Shoulder arthroplasty in this group of patients is a challenging procedure because of the unique demand on the shoulder. This report presents the case of a wheelchair user who additionally experienced a complete loss of sensation around her shoulder. As a result of a repetitive strain during transfers from the wheelchair to the ground, the humeral head was destroyed.

[The management of a single Miller-I type gingival recession at the maxillar incisor with single tunnel technique combined with enamel matrix derivative and connective tissue graft. A case report]

Gingival recession defect in the dentition are routinely encountered in periodontal practice and presents a challenge for a periodontist. Mucogingival surgical procedures aim to restore both gingival function and aesthetics. Recently as the population is getting to be more concerned about aesthetics the aesthetical indications are more relevant. In the presented case a coronally advanced flap prepared by single tunnel technique and combined with subepithelial connective tissue graft and enamel matrix derivatives (EMD) has been employed for root coverage in a Miller's class I recession. The combined technique used resulted in approximately 100% root coverage in the treated site after 6 months. Treatment outcomes met the patient's aesthetic demands and also eliminated her root sensitivity.

Treatment of Myelopathy Due to Cervicothoracic OPLL Via Open Door Laminoplasty

STUDY DESIGN

Postoperative long-term follow-up study of open door laminoplasty for the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the thoracic spine.

OBJECTIVES

Techniques and outcomes of open door laminoplasty were described. The efficacy of this procedure was discussed and compared with other surgical methods for thoracic OPLL reported in the literature.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

OPLL of the thoracic spine is often associated with cervical OPLL or ossification of the yellow ligament (OYL) of the thoracic spine; therefore, it is extremely difficult to determine the most appropriate surgical therapeutic procedure. There are very few detailed reports about extensive laminoplasty for OPLL of the thoracic spine.

METHODS

The subjects included in this study consisted of 13 consecutive patients of thoracic OPLL who were surgically treated between 1994 and 2003 by the open door laminoplasty using the spinal processes and ligament complex as spacers for the open side. The number of manipulated lamina, including the cervical spine, was from 7 to 14 (mean 10 laminae), the follow-up period was 75 months on average. We evaluated the clinical symptoms by the JOA scoring method and postoperative bone union and thoracic kyphosis by plain x-ray photograph and computed tomography.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, the JOA score improved from an average of 5.5 to 8.5 out of a maximum of 11 points and the mean recovery rate by Hirabayashi method was 54.5%. In all cases, bone union was seen at the hinge side between the opened lamina and the lateral mass. Neither restenosis of the opened lamina nor marked progression of kyphosis were seen on the final follow-up observation in any patient. There was no postoperative spinal cord injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Open door laminoplasty is a useful procedure for OPLL of the thoracic spine. This method enables wide-range posterior decompression, especially for the continuous type OPLL extending from the cervical spine to the thoracic spine, even if the apex of the thoracic kyphosis is included.

Dorsal root ganglionectomy for the diagnosis of sensory neuropathies. Surgical technique and results

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory diseases stand out among sensory neuronopathies because, in their active phase, they can be treated with immunosuppressive agents. Immunosuppressive therapy may present severe adverse effects and requires previous inflammatory activity confirmation. Sensory neuronopathies are diagnosed based on clinical and EMG findings. Diagnostic confirmation and identification of inflammatory activity are based on sensory ganglion histopathological examination. We describe the surgical technique used for dorsal root ganglionectomy in patients with clinical/EMG diagnosis of sensory neuronopathies.

METHODS

The sensory ganglion was obtained from 15 patients through a small T7-T8 hemilaminectomy and foraminotomy to expose the C7 root from its origin to the spinal nerve bifurcation. In 6 patients, the dural cuff supposed to contain the ganglion was resected en bloc; and in 9 patients, the ganglion was obtained through a longitudinal incision of the dural cuff and microsurgical dissection from the ventral and dorsal roots and radicular arteries. All ganglia were histopathologically examined.

RESULTS

No ganglion was found in the dural cuff in 2 patients submitted to en bloc removal, and the ganglion was removed in all patients who underwent microsurgical dissection. All but 2 patients that had ganglion examination presented a neuronopathy of nerve cell loss, 3 with mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate. These patients underwent immunosuppressive therapy, and 2 of them presented clinical improvement. No surgical complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Microsurgical dorsal root ganglionectomy for diagnosing inflammatory sensory ganglionopathies was effective and safe. Although safe, en bloc resection of the proximal dural cuff was not effective for this purpose.

Does Early Repair of Lingual Nerve Injuries Improve Functional Sensory Recovery?

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the relationship between timing of lingual nerve repair and functional sensory recovery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a retrospective cohort study design, the investigators enrolled a sample of subjects who had lingual nerve repair. The predictor variable was time between injury and repair, categorized as early (<90 days after injury) or late (>90 days after injury). The outcome variable was the time to functional sensory recovery (FSR), measured in days. Other variables were categorized as demographic, anatomic, and operative. Uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between the timing of the repair and time to FSR.

RESULTS

The study sample was composed of 64 subjects who had lingual nerve repair between January 1998 and January 2005. The mean time between injury and repair was 153.2 (31-1606) days; 21.9% of subjects had early repair. The mean age was 28.4 +/- 8.0 years, 62.5% of subjects were female; 77% of the injured nerves were repaired by direct suture, and 23% had surgical exploration with decompression/neurolysis. In bivariate analyses, early repair, method of repair, and neuroma were statistically or near-statistically associated with time to FSR (P <or= .12). In a multiple Cox proportional hazards model, early repair was associated with time to FSR (P = .02). Ninety-three percent of subjects in the early repair group achieved FSR within 1 year, compared with 62.9% in the late group (P = .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Early repair of lingual nerve injuries results in FSR more frequently and earlier than late repair.

The "flap-shaft" prosthesis for insensate feet with Chopart or Lisfranc amputations

BACKGROUND

The inevitable detachment of tendons and the loss of the forefoot in Chopart and Lisfranc amputations result in equinus and varus of the residual foot. In an insensate foot these deformities can lead to keratotic lesions and ulcerations. The currently available prostheses cannot safely counteract the deforming forces and the resulting complications.

METHODS

A new below-knee prosthesis was developed, combining a soft socket with a rigid shaft. The mold is taken with the foot in the corrected position. After manufacturing the shaft, the lateral third of the circumference of the shaft is cut away and reattached distally with a hinge, creating a lateral flap. By closing this flap the hindfoot is gently levered from the varus position into valgus. Ten patients (seven amputations at the Chopart-level, three amputations at the Lisfranc-level) with insensate feet were fitted with this prosthesis at an average of 3 (range 1.5 to 9) months after amputation. The handling, comfort, time of daily use, mobility, correction of malposition and complications were recorded to the latest followup (average 31 months, range 24 to 37 months after amputation).

RESULTS

Eight patients evaluated the handling as easy, two as difficult. No patient felt discomfort in the prosthesis. The average time of daily use was 12 hours, and all patients were able to walk. All varus deformities were corrected in the prosthesis. Sagittal alignment was kept neutral. Complications were two minor skin lesions and one small ulcer, all of which responded to conservative treatment, and one ulcer healed after debridement and lengthening of the Achilles tendon.

CONCLUSIONS

The "flap-shaft" prosthesis is a valuable option for primary or secondary prosthetic fitting of Chopart-level and Lisfranc-level amputees with insensate feet and flexible equinus and varus deformity at risk for recurrent ulceration. It provided safe and sufficient correction of malpositions and enabled the patients to walk as much as their general condition permitted.

Brachial plexus injuries after radiotherapy - analysis of 6 cases

Radiation-induced brachial plexus neuropathy is caused by compression of the nerve fibres by dense and inelastic fibrous connective tissue. In this study our own experience in treatment of lesions of the brachial plexus after radiotherapy is presented. The clinical material consisted of 6 patients aged from 40 to 64 years with injuries of the brachial plexus after radiotherapy. The analysis of the material comprised: basic disease, duration of radiotherapy, radiated fields, total dose of radiation, onset and character of symptoms, location and severity of injury. 5 women were qualified for surgical treatment. After neurolysis of the brachial plexus a significant improvement was obtained in 2 cases. In one patient remission of pain and sensory recovery was temporary. No improvement was observed in the remaining 2 patients. Lesions of the brachial plexus after radiotherapy are rare but difficult to prevent. The treatment depends on the grade of severity of injury. Surgical neurolysis is advised for grades 3 and 4 on the LENT-SOMA scale.

Surgical Treatment of Chronic Phantom Limb Sensation and Limb Pain after Lower Limb Amputation

BACKGROUND

Therapy for phantom sensation and phantom limb pain following amputation is still difficult, because pathophysiologic mechanisms have not been clarified. This report illustrates a simple and useful surgical intervention. The authors propose that changes at the peripheral nerve site can influence the central feeling of phantom sensation and pain.

METHODS

Fifteen patients (mean age, 56 years) with lower limb amputation were included in the study. In all patients, the sciatic nerve was split at a point approximately 3 cm proximal to the popliteal fossa, and the two parts were reconnected in a sling fashion using an epiperineurial technique under microscopic vision. The nerves were covered with a fibrin patch and anesthetics were applied by means of a local pain catheter. Frequency, duration, intensity, and quality of phantom pain were compared preoperatively and 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS

Fourteen of 15 patients defined the procedure as very helpful. Average, maximum, and minimum pain intensity were significantly reduced 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.001). Pain intensity scores decreased significantly over the long term after surgical intervention (median visual analogue scale score: preoperatively, 7; 1 year postoperatively, 4) (p < 0.001). The duration of pain attack shortened from approximately 120 minutes to 5 to 10 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that accurate treatment of the peripheral nerve can help to successfully reduce phantom limb pain. The authors feel encouraged to perform future investigations to test their operative method in a prospective, randomized, matched control study including electrophysiologic tests for more objective pain assessment.

Finger Palmar Surface Reconstruction Using Medial Plantar Venous Flap

BACKGROUND

Because plantar anatomic features are similar to those of the palmar surface of the finger, palmar surface finger reconstruction using a medial plantar venous flap enables grasping without slippage, results in strength that can withstand friction, and provides a cushioning effect. Furthermore, sensory restoration is thought to be excellent due to the similarity of the tissues.

METHODS

We performed finger palmar surface reconstruction in 6 patients using venous flap without harvesting the medial plantar subcutaneous nerve branch and assessed the sensory restoration using a static 2-point discrimination test (s-2PD), moving 2-point discrimination test (m-2PD), and Semmes-Weinstein test (S-W test).

RESULTS

The mean s-2PD at 12 months after surgery was 8.6 mm, the mean m-2PD was 6.00 mm, and the S-W test score was 3.84-3.22

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that sensory improvement can be obtained by finger palmar surface reconstruction without grafting of the medial plantar subcutaneous nerve branch to the digital nerve.

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release in the Elderly

The present study is aimed to clarify the postoperative outcome of endoscopic carpal tunnel release in elderly patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release was performed on 37 hands of 27 patients (2 men, 25 women) who were aged 70 years or older and clinically and electrophysiologically diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. Mean age at the time of surgery was 74.5 years (range: 70-85 years). Mean postoperative follow-up was 35.5 months (range: 12-114 months). Pain was present preoperatively in 20 hands, but quickly resolved postoperatively in all cases. Numbness completely disappeared in 13 of 37 hands (35.1%), but some degree of numbness remained in the remaining cases. Preoperative severity of thenar muscle atrophy was none in 4 hands, mild in 7 hands, moderate in 12 hands and severe in 14 hands. Postoperative severity of thenar muscle atrophy at final follow-up was none in 13 hands, mild in 16 hands, moderate in 2 hands and severe in 6 hands, confirming that thenar muscle atrophy improves even in elderly patients. However, moderate or severe thenar muscle atrophy remained in 8 hands (21.6%). Endoscopic carpal tunnel release should be considered in the elderly, even though clinical symptoms may not improve substantially in advanced cases.

Missile-caused median nerve injuries: results of 81 repairs

BACKGROUND

Missile-caused median nerve injuries have rarely been reported in current literature. We present repair outcome for all median nerve injuries in which the median nerve was severed either by missile injury or secondarily in the subsequent resection of a neuroma in continuity.

METHODS

Prospective study included 81 casualties with proximal, intermediate, or distal complete median nerve lesions, repaired by nerve graft or direct suture. Final outcome was defined at least 4 years postoperatively, on the basis of motor recovery, sensory recovery, neurophysiological recovery, and patient's judgment on the outcome, each estimated by 0 to 5 points and according to the total sum, as poor, insufficient, good, or excellent. The last 2 modalities were considered to be successful.

RESULTS

Successful outcome was obtained in 68.7% of distal, in 33.3% of intermediate, and in 10% of proximal repairs. Average outcomes were good, insufficient, and poor, respectively (P < .001). Nerve defect and preoperative interval were both significantly shorter on average for patients with successful outcome than for those with unsuccessful outcome (P < .001 and P = .007, respectively), but only preoperative interval and height of repair were independent predictors for successful outcome. Age of patient, associated ulnar nerve complete lesion, and manner of repair did not influence the outcome significantly (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The level of repair, duration of preoperative interval, and length of nerve defect significantly influence outcome after median nerve repair, but only level of repair and duration of preoperative interval were independent predictors for successful outcome.

Closed partial rupture of a common digital nerve in the palm: a case report

Nerve injuries in the upper extremity after trauma are common. Typically nerve damage is the result of traction, crush injury, ischemic insult, or direct laceration of the peripheral nerve. Examination of the literature shows that nerve damage in closed traumatic injury is much less common than in open trauma, especially when this standard is applied to closed nerve injuries distal to the wrist. We report a case of closed partial neurotomy of a common digital nerve.

Human neural stem cells improve sensorimotor deficits in the adult rat brain with experimental focal ischemia

Ischemic stroke is caused by the interruption of cerebral blood flow that leads to brain damage with long-term sensorimotor deficits. Stem cell transplantation may recover functional deficit by replacing damaged brain. In this study, we attempted to test whether the human neural stem cells (NSCs) can improve the outcome in the rat brain with intravenous injection and also determine the migration, differentiation and the long-term viabilities of human NSCs in the rat brain. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by intraluminal thread occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCA). One day after surgery, the rats were randomly divided into two groups: NSCs-ischemia vs. Ischemia-only. Human NSCs infected with retroviral vector encoding beta galactosidase were intravenously injected in NSCs-ischemia group (5 x 10(6) cells) and the same amount of saline was injected in Ischemia-only group for control. The animals were evaluated for 4 weeks using turning in an alley (TIA) test, modified limb placing test (MLPT) and rotarod test. Transplanted cells were detected by X gal cytohistochemistry or beta gal immunohistochemistry with double labeling of other cell markers. The NSCs-ischemia group showed better performance on TIA test at 2 weeks, and MLPT and rotarod test from 3 weeks after ischemia compared with the Ischemia-only group. Human NSCs were detected in the lesion side and labeled with marker for neurons or astrocytes. Postischemic hemispheric atrophy was noted but reduced in NSCs-ischemia group. X gal+ cells were detected in the rat brain as long as 540 days after transplantation. Our data suggest intravenously transplanted human NSCs can migrate and differentiate in the rat brain with focal ischemia and improve functional recovery.

Microsurgical Repair of the Sural Nerve after Nerve Biopsy to Avoid Associated Sensory Morbidity: A Preliminary Report

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to report our preliminary results regarding microsurgical repair of the sural nerve after nerve biopsy, in an attempt to reduce the well-described sensory morbidity and neuroma formation.

METHODS

Three patients with a suspected diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy underwent sural nerve biopsies to establish definitive diagnoses. A 10-mm segment of the sural nerve was resected with local anesthesia. After harvesting of the specimen, the proximal and distal nerve stumps were carefully mobilized and united with epineural suture techniques, under a surgical microscope. Sensory evaluations (assessing the presence of hypesthesia/dysesthesia or pain) of the lateral aspect of the foot, in regions designated Areas 1, 2, and 3, were performed before and 6 and 12 months after the biopsies. A visual analog scale was used for pain estimation.

RESULTS

The biopsy material was sufficient for histopathological examinations in all cases, leading to conclusive diagnoses (vasculitis in two cases and amyloidosis in one case). The early post-biopsy hypesthesia, which was present for 4 to 8 weeks, improved to preoperative levels as early as 6 months after the nerve repair. Sensory evaluations performed at 6- and 12-month follow-up times demonstrated that none of the patients complained of pain at the biopsy site or distally in the area innervated by the sural nerve. Ultrasonography performed at the 12-month follow-up examination revealed normal sural nerve morphological features, with no neuroma formation, comparable to findings for the contralateral site.

CONCLUSION

Microsurgical repair of the sural nerve after biopsy can eliminate or reduce sensory disturbances such as paraesthesia, hypesthesia, and dysesthesia distal to the biopsy site, in the distribution of the sensory innervation of the sural nerve, and can prevent painful neuroma formation. To our knowledge, this article is the first in the literature to report on microsurgical repair of the sural nerve after nerve biopsy. Decreased side effects suggest that this technique can become a standard procedure after sural nerve biopsy, which is commonly required to establish the diagnosis of various diseases, such as peripheral nerve pathological conditions, vasculitis, and amyloidosis. More cases should be analyzed, however, to explore the usefulness of the technique and the reliability of sural nerve biopsy samples in attempts to obtain conclusive diagnoses.

Nerve lesions associated with limb-lengthening

BACKGROUND

Nerve injury is one of the most serious complications associated with limb-lengthening. We examined the risk, assessment, and treatment of nerve lesions associated with limb-lengthening.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied the records on 814 limb-lengthening procedures. Nerve lesions were defined by clinical signs and symptoms of motor function impairment, sensory alterations, referred pain in the distribution of an affected nerve, and/or positive results of quantitative sensory testing with use of a pressure specified sensory device.

RESULTS

Seventy-six (9.3%) of the limbs had a nerve lesion. Eighty-four percent of the nerve lesions occurred during gradual distraction, and 16% occurred immediately following surgery. The pressure specified sensory device showed 100% sensitivity and 86% specificity in the detection of nerve injuries. The patients in whom the lesion was diagnosed with this method, or with this method as well as with nerve conduction studies, had significantly faster recovery than did those diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms or nerve conduction studies alone (p = 0.02). Patients undergoing double-level tibial lengthening and those with skeletal dysplasia were at higher risk for nerve lesions (77% and 48%, respectively). Nerve decompression was performed in fifty-three cases (70%). The time between the diagnosis and the surgical decompression was strongly associated with the time to recovery (p = 0.0005). Complete clinical recovery was achieved in seventy-four of the seventy-six cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Early detection based on signs and symptoms or testing with a pressure specified sensory device improves the prognosis for nerve injury that occurs during limb-lengthening. Of the methods that we used to identify neurologic compromise, testing with the pressure specified sensory device was the most sensitive. Aggressive early treatment (slowing the rate of lengthening and/or performing decompression) allows continued lengthening without incurring permanent nerve injury. When indicated, decompression of the affected nerve should be performed as soon as possible, thereby improving the chances of and shortening the time to complete recovery.

End-to-side nerve suture in clinical practice

The phenomenon of lateral sprouting of axons into an end-to-side sutured recipient nerve is well documented. The exact nature, however, still needs further investigation. Since 1996, we have been continuously involved in primate research as well as using this end-to-side nerve suture (ETSNS) method in clinical practice. Fifty-six patients with a variety of conditions, ranging from brachial plexus avulsion to digital nerve lesions, have been operated. From our experience, it seems that the best results achieved are proximal motor re-innervation (e.g. biceps) and distal sensory re-innervation (e.g. volar skin of the hand). The discussion will cover various aspects for ETSNS in the human patient, such as indications, parameters, technique, and the importance of rehabilitation. ETSNS restores function in conditions previously difficult to operate, and may replace nerve grafting in many instances. It provides an additional method in our armamentarium in peripheral nerve surgery.

Deep Peroneal Nerve Transfer for Established Plantar Sensory Loss

Patients with established or irreversible plantar sensory loss often have normal sensation on the dorsal aspect of the foot, due to an intact deep peroneal nerve. A new method of deep peroneal nerve transfer is proposed for repair of plantar sensory loss caused by extensive nerve gaps or high-level lesions of the posterior tibial nerve. Two cases in which this technique was used are described. The surgical technique is relatively easy, with a short operating time, rapid nerve regeneration after surgery, accurate sensory recovery, and minimal donor-site morbidity with sensory loss only on the first web space of the foot.

Regeneration of primary sensory axons into the adult rat spinal cord via a peripheral nerve graft bridging the lumbar dorsal roots to the dorsal column

This study investigated the feasibility of using a peripheral nerve autograft (NAG) to promote and guide regeneration of sensory axons from the caudal lumbar dorsal roots to the rostral dorsal column following a lower thoracic cordotomy in adult rats. After a left hemicordotomy at the T13 vertebra level and ipsilateral L3 and L4 rhizotomies, a peripheral NAG (peroneal nerve) was connected to the distal roots stumps, then implanted into the left dorsal column 10 mm rostral to hemicordotomy site (n = 12). After surgery, all animals of the experimental group experienced complete anesthesia in their left hindlimb. Three months later, a slight response to nociceptive stimulation reappeared in L3 and/or L4 dermatomes in 6 of the 12 experimental animals. None of these animals exhibited self-mutilation. Nine months after surgery, we performed retrograde tracing studies by injecting horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the left dorsal column 30 mm rostral to the NAG implantation site. In eight animals, we found HRP-stained neurons in the left L3 and/or L4 dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The mean number of HRP-stained neurons per DRG was 71 +/- 92 (range 2-259). In control groups, no HRP-stained neurons were found in L3 or L4 DRG. Histological analysis of the NAG showed evidence of axonal regeneration in all 8 animals with positive retrograde labeling of DRG neurons. However, we did not find a statistical correlation between the number of HRP-stained neurons and the degree of sensory recovery. This study demonstrates that an NAG joining dorsal roots to the dorsal column, thus shunting the original CNS-PNS junction, can support regeneration of central axons from DRG primary sensory neurons into the dorsal column over distances of at least 30 mm despite the inhibitory influence of the CNS white matter.

EEG changes during awake carotid endarterectomy

To determine the reason for differing shunt rates based on electroencephalographic (EEG) and neurologic changes during general and regional anesthetic, respectively, we compared simultaneous EEG tracings and neurologic status in 135 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) under cervical block over a 30-month period. The decision to shunt in these patients was made on the basis of neurologic changes only irrespective of EEG findings. This group was then compared to the 288 patients undergoing CEA under general anesthetic with EEG monitoring over the same period. EEG changes occurred in 7.4% of awake patients and 15.3% of asleep patients (p < 0.03). The rates of ipsilateral hemispheric changes were similar, but no awake patient manifested global EEG changes with clamping while 3.5% of patients under general anesthesia did (p < 0.04). Global, but not hemispheric, changes were correlated with systolic blood pressure variability during clamping. This implies that global EEG changes in anesthetized patients may be the result of the anesthetic technique itself, and that cervical block may in fact be cerebroprotective.

Surgical treatment of maxillary nerve injuries. The infraorbital nerve

Although inferior alveolar and lingual nerve injuries appear to occur more often, there are undoubtedly cases of ION injury that require evaluation and possible surgical intervention by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Patients with ION injuries will require a neurosensory examination for the determination of the level of sensory impairment, or the localization of pain of peripheral origin (centrally mediated pain will not benefit from peripheral nerve surgery). The surgical management of ION injury might be as relatively simple as decompression of the nerve by reduction of a zygomatic complex fracture, or may require extensive mobilization of the nerve and surrounding soft tissue and bone to allow for primary anastomosis or a nerve autograft. In specific instances, improvement in ION sensory function or alleviation of pain within the distribution of the ION can be expected.

Surgical management of lingual nerve injuries

Injuries to the lingual nerve remain a relatively uncommon event. However, given the frequency of surgical procedures in this anatomic region, it is likely that every oral and maxillofacial surgeon will be required to manage such an injury. When spontaneous recovery of lingual sensation is absent, microsurgical reconstruction can predictably achieve improved sensation in a majority of patients provided that such injuries are properly assessed and treated early. The quality of the sensory improvement is related to the age of the patient, the timing of surgery, the extent of the neural injury, and the quality of the repair.

Restoration of sensibility in irreparable ulnar and median nerve lesions with use of sensory nerve transfer: long-term follow-up of 20 cases

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate patient outcomes following sensory nerve transfer. Twenty patients with irreparable ulnar or median nerve lesions underwent the procedure. Nerve involvement was bilateral in 5 cases. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 29 years. The mean paralysis time and the average length of follow-up were 59 and 78 months, respectively. Eighteen of 20 patients attended a sensory re-education program after surgery. Outcome was assessed objectively by functional sensory recovery testing and by the British Medical Research Council standards. Subjective outcome was assessed by a questionnaire. Two-point discrimination of less than 10 mm was achieved in 15 of 25 hands. The mean functional sensory recovery score was 83. Eighteen of 20 patients reported that the function of their hands improved after the procedure. Good or excellent results were associated with immediate transfer of the nerve, young age, and patients' attendance to the sensory re-education program after surgery. No differences were found between the recovery of ulnar and median nerves. Based on these results we suggest that sensory nerve transfer is a simple and reliable way of restoring sensibility to the hand with favorably comparable results over conventional nerve grafting in selected cases.

Neuropathic complications of mandibular implant surgery: review and case presentations

Injuries to trigeminal nerves during endosseous implant placement in the posterior mandible appear to occur acutely in approximately 5-15 of cases, with permanent neurosensory disorder resulting in approximately 8%. Nerve lateralization holds even higher risks from epineurial damage or ischaemic stretching. Neuropathy from implant compression and drill punctures can result in neuroma formation of all types, and in some cases precipitate centralized pain syndrome. Two patterns of clinical neuropathy are seen to result; hypoaesthesias with impaired sensory function, often seen with phantom pain, and hyperaesthesias with minimal sensory impairment but presence of much-evoked pain phenomena. The clinician must differentiate, through careful patient questioning and stimulus-response testing, those patients who are undergoing satisfactory spontaneous nerve recovery from those who are developing dysfunctional or dysaesthetic syndromes. Acute nerve injuries are treated with fixture and nerve decompression and combined with supportive anti-inflammatory, narcotic and anti-convulsant therapy. Surgical exploration, neuroma resection and microsurgical repair, with or without nerve grafting, are indicated when unsatisfactory spontaneous sensory return has been demonstrated, and in the presence of function impairment and intractable pain.

A prospective, quantitative study on the clinical outcome of lingual nerve repair

We previously showed in laboratory studies that the most effective method for repair of damaged lingual nerves was by excision of the neuroma, mobilization of the stumps, and direct reapposition with epineurial sutures. We have now undertaken a prospective study in a series of 53 patients treated by this method and have evaluated the outcome by quantifying and comparing the results of tests of sensation before and after operation. The outcome in individual patients was variable. However, pooled data from all patients showed a highly significant improvement in sensation at the final assessment 12 months or more after the repair. The proportion of patients who responded to most or all light touch stimuli increased from 0% to 51% after repair, and the proportion who responded to pin-prick stimuli increased from 34% to 77%. There was no correlation between the final results of any of the tests and the delay before repair. None of the patients regained completely normal sensation and there was no reduction in the number with spontaneous paraesthesia or pain. However, fewer patients tended to bite the tongue by accident and most of them considered the operation worthwhile. These data show that lingual nerve repair is effective in most patients and we suggest that it should be offered to all those who show few signs of spontaneous recovery after injury.

Endoscopic supraorbital nerve neurolysis

Endoscopic surgery, performed through small incisions, yields therapeutic results equivalent or superior to those obtained using the conventional approach. The technique has been established in laparoscopic cholecystectomic surgery. In plastic surgery, endoscopic techniques were first developed in aesthetic procedures and have been reported to be useful in face-lift operations, breast reconstruction, muscle flap harvesting and subcutaneous surgery. Endobrow lift has become a more and more popular aesthetic procedure. The endoscope provides an excellent magnification and, through a high power light source, a very good illumination of the operative field. It explains why the endoscope is more and more used in reconstructive procedures. We report the case of a patient suffering from a posttraumatic entrapment of the right supraorbital nerve which was released by an endoscopic approach.

Proximal sensory neuropathies of the Leg

This article addresses the proximal sensory neuropathies of the leg, concentrating on those nerves that are purely sensory or have a predominately sensory onset. These include the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, the ilioinguinal nerve, the genitofemoral nerve, and the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve. The obturator and femoral nerves are also summarily mentioned with respect to their sensory symptoms.

Unilateral pallidotomy for reduction of parkinsonian pain

OBJECT

The goal of this study was to determine whether unilateral pallidotomy reduces parkinsonian pain.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD) were followed prospectively for 1 year after they had undergone a unilateral pallidotomy to assess the procedure's effect on pain related to PD. Pain unrelated to PD was not studied. Patients scored the level of their PD pain on an ordinal scale (0-10 points) preoperatively and 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively. The results were analyzed using Wilcoxon's paired-ranks test (with Bonferroni correction) and showed a significant reduction in overall pain scores at 6 weeks (p < 0.001) and 1 year (p = 0.001) following pallidotomy. Various types of PD pain are described and their possible pathophysiological mechanisms are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral pallidotomy significantly reduces pain attributable to Parkinson's disease.

Radiosurgery of angiographically occult vascular malformations

Angiographically occult vascular lesions (AVOMs) are vascular lesions not visualized on standard cerebral angiography. The possibility of managing these difficult lesions with radiosurgery is discussed. The radiosurgical treatments and results of AVOMs are described and the strategies for managing AOVMs and cavernous malformations are discussed.

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis: ocular and systemic manifestations

PURPOSE

To report the incidence and severity of the ophthalmologic manifestations in patients with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis.

METHODS

Fifteen Bedouin children with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis underwent complete ocular examination, including refraction and assessment of corneal sensation, and a detailed neurologic examination, including measurement of median nerve motor and sensory conduction. Patients with corneal ulcers were treated appropriately.

RESULTS

In the 15 children (eight girls and seven boys, with a mean age of 3.75 +/- 2.67 years; range, 9 months to 9 years), corneal sensation was absent in both eyes. Corneal opacities were present in 10 children, five of whom had bilateral corneal opacities. Corneal ulcers were found in seven children, two of whom had bilateral ulcers, and in three children the ulcers recurred. The corneal ulcers were characterized by very poor healing. The surgical procedures included four lateral tarsorrhaphies, two corneal patch grafts, and one penetrating keratoplasty. All the patients had self-inflicted injuries varying from skin ulcers, burns, and bone fractures to autoamputations of fingertips and tongues. Many patients showed delayed healing and repair of bone and skin injuries. All patients had attacks of hyperpyrexia, moderate mental retardation, and hypotonicity with absent superficial sensation to light touch. Results of median nerve motor and sensory conduction studies were within normal limits.

CONCLUSIONS

The patients with congenital insensitivity to pain and anhidrosis and absent corneal sensation showed a marked tendency to develop corneal ulcers that healed poorly. Congenital insensitivity to pain and anhidrosis, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neurotrophic keratitis.

Artificial sensibility based on the use of piezoresistive sensors. Preliminary observations

Piezoresistive sensors, applied to the fingertips of non-sensate fingers, were used for the detection of touch and pressure in four patients with recent median nerve repairs, and in one patient using a myoelectric prosthesis. The signals from the sensors, produced by the tactile stimuli, were processed and transposed as electrical stimuli to sensate skin of the ipsi- or contralateral arm by the use of skin electrodes. With this setup the test subjects could rapidly learn to differentiate between tactile stimuli applied to different fingers, thereby regaining spatial resolution in the hand. All five patients rapidly improved their ability to regulate the power of pinch grip without the help of vision. The patient with a hand prosthesis rapidly learned to discriminate between four different levels of pressure, applied to the thumb by four different Semmes--Weinstein monofilaments (75, 125, 280 and 450 g). These results indicate that the system is of potential value for patients lacking sensibility or using prostheses.

Pain relief after nerve resection for post-traumatic neuralgia

We performed resection of part of an injured peripheral nerve in 20 patients with post-traumatic neuralgia, after conservative treatment had failed. All had burning pain, paraesthesia and dysaesthesia in the area innervated by the injured nerve. We resected the nerve in the area in which the patient felt pain, and a further 3 cm proximal to the site of injury. In all cases, the local pain disappeared or markedly decreased. The areas of pain relief and of nerve resection coincided completely in 17 patients and partially in three. The results were assessed as excellent by five patients, good by 11, and fair by four. There were no poor results. Histological examination of the resected nerves showed Wallerian degeneration and immunohistochemical tests indicated that substance P, a polypeptide which may contribute to nociceptive transmission, was present in the tissue around the degenerated nerves.

The accuracy of clinical neurosensory testing for nerve injury diagnosis

PURPOSE

The accuracy of the clinical neurosensory test to diagnose trigeminal nerve injuries has never been statistically evaluated. The purpose of this study was to determine the statistical efficacy of the clinical neurosensory test using surgical findings as the "gold" standard, and to determine whether a correlation existed between the sensory impairment score obtained by preoperative testing and the degree of nerve injury found at surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multisite, randomized, prospective, blinded, clinical trial was conducted on 130 patients with inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and lingual nerve (LN) injuries. Preoperatively, patients were provided a sensory impairment score using a three-level drop-out clinical neurosensory test (NST), and blind comparisons were made with the surgical findings postoperatively.

RESULTS

The positive predictive and negative predictive values for LN-injured patients were 95% and 100%, respectively. The positive predictive and negative predictive values for IAN patients were 77% and 60%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of age, duration of injury, cause of injury, presence of neuropathic pain, presence of trigger pain, and degree of injury between the IAN and LN patient populations. There was a statistically significant positive relationship found between the sensory impairment score and the degree of nerve injury.

CONCLUSIONS

The NST is a clinically useful method to diagnose IAN and LN injuries. However, the NST results are less efficient for IAN injuries than LN injuries, and have a high incidence of false-positive (23%) and false-negative (40%) results when testing patients with IAN injuries. The different rates of statistical efficiency between the two groups of patients may be attributable to differences in prevalence and biologic covariates.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome. Outcome of surgery in longstanding cases

Cases of longstanding (median, 60 months) tarsal tunnel syndrome were decompressed surgically in 14 female and four male patients. Patients reported intermittent dysesthesia, paresthesia, or anesthesia at the medial plantar aspect of the foot. Symptoms were aggravated by physical activities. Previous trauma was noted in four patients. Tinel's sign was positive in 16 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 10 patients but was conclusive in only two. At surgery, the posterior tibial nerve or one of its branches was found to be entrapped in 15 patients. Entrapments were observed isolated or in combination within the fascial septa (n = 5), varicose veins (n = 6), scar tissues (n = 4), tenosynovitis and edema (n = 1), or within the abductor hallucis muscle (n = 1). Two neuromas were excised. In three patients no obvious entrapments were found. Clinical followup was performed a median 18 months after surgery. Relief of symptoms was reported as long as 1 year after surgery. All symptoms were relieved in 11 (61%) patients. Three (17%) patients with previous trauma had relatively severe pain after surgery and were considered to have failed results. Surgical decompression was beneficial in most patients with longstanding tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Lingual nerve paresthesia following third molar surgery: a retrospective clinical study

Lingual nerve anesthesia, paresthesia, and dysesthesia are possible side effects of third molar extraction. These unwanted complications are frequently disturbing to both the patient and practitioner. The incidence of lingual nerve damage following third molar surgery is more frequent than once thought. Six hundred questionnaires were sent to randomly selected Fellows of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in 50 states to determine the parameters surrounding this phenomenon. Of the 452 respondents, 76.05% reported having had patients with lingual anesthesia, dysesthesia, or paresthesia. Of all the reported cases, 18.64% of the cases failed to resolve. Of the reported cases, only three underwent surgical intervention. Because many cases of lingual nerve dysfunction do not resolve, it is important to inform patients that microsurgical nerve repair techniques are available as a modality of treatment following diagnosis. It has also been recommended that if the paresthesia does not resolve within 10 to 12 weeks, then management options including microsurgical nerve reconstruction within a short period of time should be discussed as a plan with the patient.

Vestibular nerve section: long-term follow-up

Vestibular nerve section is considered an effective modality in the treatment of refractory and incapacitating vertigo. Typically nerve section results are described on the basis of short-term follow-up. We have reviewed 41 cases of vestibular nerve section spanning an 18-year period. Although the majority of cases involved classic Meniere's disease, delayed endolymphatic hydrops, vestibular neuritis, and Meniere's syndrome secondary to head trauma were also included. Surgical approaches included translabyrinthine (20 cases), retrolabyrinthine (14 cases), retrosigmoid (six cases), and middle fossa (one case) procedures. Postoperative follow-up time averaged 102 months, with 46% of patients followed for a minimum of 9 years. Results are reported according to standards set forth by the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery. Vertigo was cured or markedly improved in 88% of cases (90% in patients with Meniere's disease) at 18 to 24 months postoperatively. These vertigo results were sustained at the time of latest follow-up. Functional level was also preserved over time despite the development of bilateral symptoms in several cases. The rate of bilateral disease reached 22% of cases. Although vertigo results remained stable, long-term follow-up of successful hearing preservation cases demonstrated deterioration over time. Postoperative continuation of medical treatment is urged to optimize and sustain the vestibular neurectomy result.

Pectinatoplasty: a technique for treatment of sensory fecal incontinence

Nineteen patients (12 boys, 7 girls; mean age, 6.2 +/- 1.6 SD years) had fecal incontinence owing to absence of the ectodermal lining of the lower rectal neck. Physical examination findings were normal. The anal mucosa extended to the anal verge and was insensitive; there was no ectodermal lining or pectinate line in the lower rectal neck. The 19 patients were selected from a group of 62 patients with anorectal agenesis who had undergone an abdominoanal pull-through operation. The criterion for inclusion in the study was normal anorectal physiology. "Pectinatoplasty" was carried out with the patient under local anesthesia. Two 1.5- x 1.5-cm cutaneous flaps from each of the 5 and 12 o'clock positions of the perianal skin were advanced into the lower rectal neck at the site of an excised mucosal patch of similar size. The patients were discharged on the day of operation. Sixteen patients became continent. Two patients did not improve because of dislocation of the cutaneous flaps outside the anal orifice, as a result of suturing under tension; they became continent after regrafting, using two lateral flaps placed at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. One patient had anal stenosis and was subjected to dilatation. Pectinatoplasty proved successful in restoring fecal continence in patients who lacked ectodermal anal lining. The procedure is simple, easy, and can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Lingual nerve damage during lower third molar removal: a comparison of two surgical methods

The high incidence of lingual sensory disturbance following lower third molar removal in the UK may be due to the elevation of a lingual flap and insertion of a Howarth's periosteal elevator, in an attempt to protect the lingual nerve. We have therefore studied the validity of this technique by recording the incidence of temporary and permanent lingual nerve injury during 771 operations randomly allocated to be carried out with or without lingual flap retraction. Surgery with lingual flap retraction resulted in lingual sensory disturbance in 6.9% and this persisted, requiring lingual nerve repair, in 0.8%. Surgery without lingual flap retraction resulted in lingual sensory disturbance in 0.8% (P < 0.0001) and this persisted, requiring lingual nerve repair, in 0.3%. We conclude that avoidance of lingual retraction reduces the incidence of temporary lingual nerve disturbance and does not increase the incidence of permanent damage. This indicates that use of the Howarth's in this way is invalid, and suggests that for the majority of cases, lingual retraction should be avoided.

[Tendinitis of the long palmar muscle tendon. Physiopathology and results of surgical treatment. Apropos of 28 cases]

The results of a 27 cases of flexor carpi radialis tenosynovitis, operated between 1984 and 1992 and followed for an average of 30 months, are reported. This study confirms the female predominance of this disease (25 women for two men) and its development mainly after the age of fifty. Pain along the course of the tendon is a constant sign, frequently associated with dysaesthesia in the territory of the palmaris brevis branch of the median nerve as well as synovial swelling. Surgery was indicated because of failure of apparently correctly conducted medical treatment. The technique consists of synovectomy and resection of all sources of irritation of the tendon in its sheath. The development of trapezium or scaphoid osteophytes is a common cause of irritation. The functional result obtained was good or excellent in 22 cases. This study confirmed the existence of a close relationship between the development of flexor carpi radialis tenosynovitis and the presence of external osteoarthritis of the carpus, as this combination of lesions was observed in 20 of the 27 cases. Carpal osteoarthritic lesions appear to be responsible for the great majority of cases of flexor carpi radialis tendinitis observed in women over the age of 50 years. Following failure of medical treatment, surgical treatment is effective provided it includes treatment of any osteoarthritic lesions present.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome and amyloid tenosynovitis in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Evaluation and treatment apropos of 130 cases]

Over a 12-year period (1979-1991), 130 carpal tunnel syndromes were diagnosed in 89 haemodialysed renal failure patients, representing 17% of all haemodialysed patients followed over the same period. 6% of patients had been haemodialysed for less than 5 years (mean duration of dialysis: 10.4 years). 25% of cases had a trigger finger and 21 out of 89 patients had amyloid arthropathy. No precise relationship was detected between the side of the carpal tunnel syndrome and the side of the arteriovenous fistula. In 130 cases, release of the median nerve and wide tenosynovectomy of the flexor tendons were performed under pneumatic tourniquet except in the case of a prosthetic shunt. Tenosynovial amyloid deposits were found in 84% of cases. The mean postoperative follow-up was 40 months (range: 6 to 120 months). Postoperatively, the acroparaesthesiae disappeared in 93% of cases. 79% of cases with a sensory defect obtained sensory recovery, versus 27% of cases with a motor deficit for motor recovery. In 20% of the 130 cases, decreased digital mobility was observed postoperatively due to extension of the tenosynovitis to the fingers. Four cases of recurrence were observed.

Paroxysmal bilateral dysosmia treated by resection of the olfactory bulbs

Dysosmia, or the distortion of olfaction, is most commonly preceded by viral illness or head trauma, but has a variety of etiologies. The precise nature of the disease process remains obscure. Medical management is largely empiric, and has been aimed at treating underlying illnesses, restricting triggering medications, as well as various pharmacologic interventions. Successful eradication of a severe case of persistent unilateral paroxysmal dysosmia with resection of the ipsilateral olfactory bulb has been reported. We report here a case of bilateral paroxysmal dysosmia, refractory to medical therapy, successfully treated with bilateral olfactory bulb resection.

Injection injury of the sciatic nerve (370 cases)

Injury to peripheral nerves due to injections of therapeutic and other agents is common. The postulated mechanisms of injury include direct needle trauma, secondary constriction by scar, and direct nerve fiber damage by neurotoxic chemicals in the injected agent. Neurological sequelae can range from minor transient sensory disturbance to severe sensory disturbance and paralysis with poor recovery. The recommended treatment has ranged from a conservative approach to immediate operative exposure and irrigation, and has also included early neurolysis or delayed exploration with neurolysis or resection and anastomosis. We present 370 cases of injection injury of the sciatic nerve in children treated during the last 20 years at the Neurosurgical Department of the Hospital La Paz in Madrid, Spain. Pathology, clinical course, treatment, and results are discussed.

Injuries to the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves

Both the inferior alveolar and the lingual nerve are at risk for damage following various surgical procedures. Sensory nerve function following potential damage should be tested and evaluated for treatment, with microneurosurgery considered under certain conditions. Repair between three and six months following injury has the best results. A study of 43 patients who underwent microneurosurgery for various types of injuries, and have been followed for at least one year, found four (9.3 percent) with essentially complete return of sensation; five (11.6 percent) with good return; 19 (44.2 percent) with some return; 13 (30.2 percent) with no return; and two (4.6 percent) with a decrease in sensation.