Acute and long-term costs of 268 peripheral nerve injuries in the upper extremity

Background

Peripheral nerve injury in the upper extremity is linked to high socioeconomic burden, yet cost-analyses are rare and from small cohorts. The objective of this study was to determine the costs and long-term socioeconomic effects of peripheral nerve injuries in the upper extremity in Germany.

Methods

We analyzed data of 250 patients with 268 work-related upper extremity nerve injuries from acute treatment to long-term follow-up on rehabilitation, sick-leave and disability-pension.

Results

Patients were on average 39.9±14.2 years old, male (85%) and mean inpatient treatment was 7±6 days. Location of nerve was 8% (N = 19) proximal to the wrist, 26% (N = 65) at the wrist and metacarpus, and 66% (N = 166) at phalangeal level. Acute in-patient treatment for (single) median nerve injury accounted for 66% with hospital reimbursement of 3.570€, ulnar nerve injury for 24% and 2.650€ and radial nerve injury for 10% and 3.166€, all including finger nerve injuries. The remaining were combined nerve injuries, with significantly higher costs, especially if combined with tendon 5.086€ or vascular injury 4.886€. Based on location, nerve injuries proximal to the wrist averaged 5.360±6.429€, at the wrist and metacarpus 3.534±2.710€ and at the phalangeal level 3.418±3.330€. 16% required rehabilitation with average costs of 5.842€ and stay of 41±21 days. Sick leave was between 11–1109 days with an average of 147 days with socioeconomic costs of 197€/day, equaling on average 17.640€. 30% received a mean yearly disability pension of 3.187€, that would account to 102.167€ per lifetime.

Conclusion

This large German patient sample indicates that nerve injury has a major impact on function and employment, resulting in significant health care costs. Both proximal and distal nerve injuries led to long-term disability, subsequent sick-leave and in 30% to permanent disability pension. These data are determined to support future studies and health economical work on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of these often small injuries with great consequences.

Improved physical performance after treatment of renal anemia with recombinant human erythropoietin

The physical performance of 12 anemic patients on renal dialysis was investigated following treatment of renal anemia with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO; 40-120 U/kg, 3 times a week). Exercise intensity at a heart rate of 130 beats/min (PWC130) on a bicycle ergometer was assessed before rhEPO treatment, after reaching the target hematocrit (73 +/- 18 days), and in the maintenance phase (211 +/- 53 days). Hemoglobin concentrations measured at these time points were 7.3 +/- 1.2, 11.9 +/- 1.5, and 12.1 +/- 1.4 g/dl, respectively. PWC130 rose from 77 +/- 27 to 104 +/- 37 and 104 +/- 51 W, respectively. Aerobic threshold (i.e. blood lactic acid concentration of 2 mmol/l) shifted to higher workloads indicating improved muscle oxygen supply.

Promoting axonal regeneration following nerve surgery: a perspective on ultrasound treatment for nerve injuries

Nerve injury is often associated with limited axonal regeneration and thus leads to delayed or incomplete axonal reinnervation. As a consequence of slow nerve regeneration, target muscle function is often insufficient and leads to a lifelong burden. Recently, the diagnosis of nerve injuries has been improved and likewise surgical reconstruction has undergone significant developments. However, the problem of slow nerve regeneration has not been solved. In a recent meta-analysis, we have shown that the application of low-intensity ultrasound promotes nerve regeneration experimentally and thereby can improve functional outcomes. Here we want to demonstrate the experimental effect of low intensity ultrasound on nerve regeneration, the current state of investigations and its possible future clinical applications.

[Not Available]

Skin and soft tissue infections may progress rapidly and take a fatal ending unless not treated in time. A 44-year old male patient without any pre-existing conditions got hospitalized with a bursitis ofthe right olecranon and unspecific general symptoms. Within a short period of time he became critically ill due this seemingly harmless infection. We describe our approach leading to the right diagnoses and the treatment of this unexpected progress.

The Impact of Digital Nerve Injury on the Outcome of Flexor Tendon Tenolysis: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

Tenolysis is an established treatment for flexor tendon adhesions at the hand. Concomitant finger nerve injuries with incomplete reinnervation may negatively influence outcomes. This study investigates the impact of finger nerve injuries on outcomes of flexor tendon tenolysis.

METHODS

A retrospective pair-matched study was conducted, including patients undergoing tenolysis for flexor tendon adhesion after primary repair of isolated superficial and deep flexor tendon injury and both finger nerves (test group [TG]). These were compared with patients (control group [CG]) with similar injuries without affection of nerves and pair-matched in age, zone of injury and follow-up. Patients' demographics, finger sensitivity, total active range of motion (TAM) before and after tenolysis and complications were retrieved.

RESULTS

For both study groups, 10 patients each were included in this study. There were no significant differences regarding patients' demographics and follow-up. Mean follow-up was 37 (CG) and 41 (TG) months. Total active range of motion was preoperatively 81 ± 47° (CG) and 68 ± 54° (TG) and reached postoperatively 125 ± 57° (CG) and 79 ± 43° (TG). Hence, TAM improvement was significantly higher in patients without nerve damage (58 ± 16 vs 21 ± 11%; P > 0.05). Tendon ruptures occurred significantly more frequent in patients with nerve injury (n = 0.4 ± 0.52) compared with patients of the CG (n = 0; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that finger nerve injury with incomplete recovery after combined flexor tendon and nerve injuries of the finger negatively influences the outcomes of flexor tendon tenolysis.

[Psychotherapy in the day clinic]

Recently, the importance of psychiatric day hospital treatment is increasing in German psychiatry, as the regionalization and community-orientation of care advance and catchment areas become smaller. When a psychiatric department of a local general hospital is within easy reach of the patient's residence, the means for intensive treatment, as is available in a hospital, can be utilized during the day, while the patient spends a considerable amount of time (in fact, two thirds) in the familiar surroundings of his/her own home. This is applicable for many psychiatric conditions, including neuroses, personality disorders and psychosomatic diseases. As compared to conventional individual outpatient psychotherapy on the one hand and a distinct limited stay in a psychosomatic sanatorium far from home on the other hand, psychotherapy in a day hospital offers a promising additional way to provide effective and lasting professional help early and with a low threshold. The article summarizes the experience gained in a newly founded department of psychiatry and psychotherapy at a general hospital in one district of eastern Germany, where the staff is struggling to meet the needs of the catchment area in spite of a too small number of hospital beds.

Development of a mathematical formula and online tool to calculate the potential maximum flap width to allow for primary anterolateral thigh donor-site closure in Caucasians

BACKGROUND

Primary anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap donor-site closure is crucial to achieve patient satisfaction, avoid burdensome secondary surgeries, and avert poor outcomes. Only vague maximum flap width recommendations have been suggested, which fall short of acknowledging individual patient habitus and thigh morphology. Therefore, we aimed at identifying a user-friendly preoperative calculation of maximum flap width for primary closure.

METHODS

A total of 429 ALT free flaps performed between 2009 and 2020 were analyzed. A total of 350 donor-sites were closed primarily (82%) and 79 (18%) were split-thickness skin-grafted (STSG). Patient demographics including sex, age, and BMI, operative details, and flap characteristics were compared to assess their impact on the outcome variable. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for all significant predictors discriminating between closure and STSG. Areas under the curve (AUCs) were calculated for each parameter combination and optimal cutoffs were determined using Youden's Index.

RESULTS

Sex, age, BMI, and flap width alone were poor discriminators. Dividing flap width by BMI and logarithmized BMI yielded AUCs of 0.91 and 0.94, respectively. Including patient sex yielded the best fitting regression model (χ²  = 251.939, p < .0001) increasing the AUC to 0.96 (95% CI: 0.93-0.98, p < .0001). The optimal cutoff value discriminated between primary closure and STSG with 90% sensitivity and 89% specificity. An online calculator of patient-individual maximum ALT width was then programmed.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex and BMI are reliable predictors of successful primary ALT donor-site closure in Caucasians. We devised a novel formula for calculating patient-individual maximum ALT widths preoperatively, predicting failure of primary closure with 90% sensitivity in our cohort, available at: https://kitteltaschenbuch.com/altwidth/calculate.htm.

Short- and long term hyposmia, hypogeusia, dysphagia and dysphonia after facial burn injury - A prospective matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

Facial burns frequently occur in occupational or household accidents. While dysphagia and dysphonia are known sequelae, little is known about impaired smell and taste after facial burns.

METHODS

In a prospective observational controlled study, we evaluated hyposmia via the Sniffin' Stick Test (SnS), hypogeusia via a taste strip test, and dysphonia and dysphagia via validated questionnaires acutely and one-year after burn, respectively. A matched control group consisting of a convenience sample of healthy volunteers underwent the same assessments.

RESULTS

Fifty-five facial burn patients (FB) and 55 healthy controls (CTR) were enrolled. Mean burn size was 11 (IQR: 29) % total body surface area (TBSA); CTR and FB were comparable regarding age, sex and smoking status. Acutely, hyposmia was present in 29% of the FB group (CTR: 9%, p = 0.014) and burn patients scored worse on the SnS than CTR (FB: 10; CTR: 11; IQR: 2; p = 0.013). Hyposmia per SnS correlated with subjective self-assessment. Hyposmia and SnS scores improved over time (FB acute: 10.5 IQR: 2; FB one year: 11; IQR: 2; p = 0.042) and returned to normal at one-year post burn in most patients who completed the study (lost to follow-up: 21 patients). Taste strip scores were comparable between FB and CTR, as was the acute prevalence of dysphagia and dysphonia.

CONCLUSION

Hyposmia acutely after facial thermal trauma appeared frequently in this study, especially when complicated by inhalation trauma or large TBSA involvement. Of all complete assessments, a fraction of burn patients retained hyposmia after one year while most improved over time to normal. Prevalence of dysphonia, dysphagia and hypogeusia was comparable to healthy controls in this study, perhaps due to overall minor burn severity.

Resection arthroplasty versus dual mobility prosthesis in the treatment of trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: A 3 year non-randomized prospective study

Purpose

Resection arthroplasty (RA) is still the most common surgical intervention for the treatment of symptomatic trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint osteoarthritis. The implantation of a dual mobility prosthesis may represent a joint function preserving alternative. The aim of the presented study is to prospectively compare the outcomes of RA with dual mobility prosthesis.

Methods

In this 2-center non-randomized prospective study, we compared results of RA (n = 22) with implantation of a dual mobility prosthesis (n = 49) (Touch®) at a minimum of 3-year follow-up. The patients underwent preoperative assessments and postoperative follow-up at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Comparisons were conducted, covering pain assessment via the visual analogue scale (VAS), thumb range of motion (ROM), pinch and grip strength, as well as functional scores and radiological examinations.

Results

The time intervals from surgery until absence of pain on the VAS (3 months: 3 vs 1, p = 0.0001), recovery of ROM in radial (3 months: 33° vs 42°, p = 0.0001), and palmar abduction (3 months: 33° vs 48°, p = 0.0001), were significantly longer for the RA group compared with the prosthesis group. At 3-year follow-up there was no significant difference in absence of pain, ROM and grip strength between both groups. Key pinch strength was significantly weaker in the RA group compared to prosthesis group at 3 months (2.6 kg vs 4.6 kg, p = 0.001), to 3-year follow-up (3.1 kg vs 5.7 kg, p = 0.0001). The final mean DASH (15.5 vs 13.2, p = 0.01) and MHQ scores (78 vs 82, p = 0.01) were significantly better in the prosthesis group.

Conclusion

Both techniques show high patient satisfaction in mid-term follow-up. Dual mobility TMC joint arthroplasty seems to be associated with a superior pinch strength and shorter time of recovery as compared to patients after RA.

Multicenter consensus statements on the use of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in Hand Surgery

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this agreement was to establish consensus statements on the use of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in hand surgery.

METHODS

Based on Delphi consensus methodology, a preliminary list of questions on the use of LIPUS in hand surgery was developed by an interdisciplinary team of hand and plastic surgeons as well as psychologists and experts from communications science. Based on these, questionnaires were invented and a total of three Delphi rounds have been conducted. Delphi panelists consisted of 11 German hand surgeons with a mean experience in hand surgery of 15 years (7-23 years). Questions and statements were revised during this process, resulting in a consensus at the end of round three.

RESULTS

After three Delphi rounds, the following recommendations could be derived. LIPUS can be applied for impaired fracture healing of the digits, metacarpals, carpal bones as well as a prophylactic procedure in order to avoid further revision surgery. LIPUS therapy can be useful in addition to revision surgery for delayed union and non-unions. In the case of certain risk factors (replantation, revascularization, osteoporosis, smoking), it can be applied directly postoperatively in order to prevent impaired fracture healing. It should be applied for 90-120 days.

CONCLUSION

There is a consensus among German hand surgeons, when and how LIPUS can be applied for improving fracture healing of the hand. Randomized controlled trials with direct comparison of fracture treatment with and without LIPUS are needed to support these statements with objective data.

[Modern concepts of interdisciplinary extremity reconstruction in open fractures]

The orthoplastic approach involves the collaboration of orthopedic/trauma surgeons, vascular surgeons and reconstructive microsurgeons. In cases of complex limb fractures, the aims are to optimize blood flow, restore bone stability, reconstruct soft tissue defects, and enhance function and sensitivity. The early administration of antibiotics and a timely, high-quality debridement after initial interdisciplinary assessment are carried out. This is followed by fracture stabilization and temporary wound coverage in order to plan the definitive interdisciplinary procedure. This includes definitive osteosynthesis and soft tissue reconstruction, using local tissue transfer if feasible, or free tissue transfer in cases of extensive trauma zones. The orthoplastic approach allows for faster definitive stabilization, fewer operations, shorter hospital stays, lower complication and revision rates, higher cost-effectiveness and improved long-term function.

Fibrin Glue Coating Limits Scar Tissue Formation around Peripheral Nerves

Scar tissue formation presents a significant barrier to peripheral nerve recovery in clinical practice. While different experimental methods have been described, there is no clinically available gold standard for its prevention. This study aims to determine the potential of fibrin glue (FG) to limit scarring around peripheral nerves. Thirty rats were divided into three groups: glutaraldehyde-induced sciatic nerve injury treated with FG (GA + FG), sciatic nerve injury with no treatment (GA), and no sciatic nerve injury (Sham). Neural regeneration was assessed with weekly measurements of the visual static sciatic index as a parameter for sciatic nerve function across a 12-week period. After 12 weeks, qualitative and quantitative histological analysis of scar tissue formation was performed. Furthermore, histomorphometric analysis and wet muscle weight analysis were performed after the postoperative observation period. The GA + FG group showed a faster functional recovery (6 versus 9 weeks) compared to the GA group. The FG-treated group showed significantly lower perineural scar tissue formation and significantly higher fiber density, myelin thickness, axon thickness, and myelinated fiber thickness than the GA group. A significantly higher wet muscle weight ratio of the tibialis anterior muscle was found in the GA + FG group compared to the GA group. Our results suggest that applying FG to injured nerves is a promising scar tissue prevention strategy associated with improved regeneration both at the microscopic and at the functional level. Our results can serve as a platform for innovation in the field of perineural regeneration with immense clinical potential.