Journal of Hand and Microsurgery最新文献

Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis is a prevalent pathology, particularly among elderly women, with a significant impact on patients' quality of daily life. Total joint replacement can provide a shorter rehabilitation period and satisfying function, at least in the short term with encouraging findings according to recent studies concerning its complications (e.g., dislocation, loosening) and longevity. TOUCH® is a second-generation, dual mobility prosthesis with promising results. Step-by-step surgical technique and keypoints for successful implantation and satisfying thumb function are presented in this article.

Background: Since the release of ChatGPT by OpenAI in November 2022, generative artificial intelligence (AI) models have attracted significant attention in various fields, including surgery. These advancements have been particularly notable for creating highly detailed and contextually accurate images from textual prompts. A notable area of clinical application is the representation of surgeon demographics in various specialties, particularly in the context of microsurgery and plastic surgery-related subspecialties.

Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in June 2024, utilized the latest version of the Copilot Creative Mode powered by DALL-E 3 to generate images of surgeons across various plastic surgery subspecialties. Real-world demographic data from the US, Japan, and Zambia were compared with AI-generated images for an accurate representation analysis.

Results: Five hundred images (350 from various subspecialties and 150 from geographical sources) were analyzed. The AI model predominantly generated images of male and female surgeons with a statistical underrepresentation of female and Black microsurgeons. Geographical prompts influenced the representation, with an overrepresentation of female (64.0 %; p < 0.001) and Black (16.0 %; p < 0.001) plastic surgeons in the US and exclusively Asian surgeons in Japan. Discrepancies were also observed in the depiction of surgical equipment, with the majority of AI-generated microsurgeons inaccurately portrayed using either surgical loupes (46.0 %) or optical microscopes (32.0 %), not with surgical microscopes (4.0 %).

Conclusions: This study revealed significant disparities between AI-generated images and actual demographics in the fields of microsurgery and plastic surgery-related subspecialties, highlighting the need for more diverse and accurate training datasets for AI models.

Background: Suture selection in elective hand surgery closures has traditionally been non-absorbable sutures (NAS) rather than absorbable sutures (AS). The goal of this study was to evaluate absorbable versus non-absorbable closures of various primary elective hand procedures. Our group hypothesized that no differences in major short-term outcomes would exist.

Methods: A retrospective review of 867 patients was conducted. Patients were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes specific to surgical cases from forearm to fingertip. Patients undergoing emergent trauma operations or debridement for infection were excluded. Two experimental groups were evaluated: one in which surgical wound closures were performed with non-absorbable suture (nylon) vs one in which closures were performed with absorbable suture (monocryl). Outcomes measured were wound dehiscence, need for postoperative antibiotics, 30-day general complications, and reoperations within 60 days.

Results: A total of 867 patients were investigated in this study. The AS cohort consisted of 455 patients whereas the NAS group contained 412. No significant differences were noted between the AS and NAS groups with regards to age, gender, or diabetes. Postoperatively, there was no significant difference in rates of dehiscence, infections, or antibiotic prescription. Furthermore, rates of 30-day complications (1.36 % vs 1.47 %; p = 1.000), 60-day complications (0.68 % vs 2.19 %; p = 0.113) and reoperation (1.13 % versus 1.46 %; p = 0.903) were similar between the AS and NAS cohorts.

Conclusion: Wound closure in hand surgery using absorbable suture appears to have comparable outcomes with non-absorbable suture.

Level of evidence: 3.

Broader adoption of ultrasound (US) imaging in carpal tunnel syndrome management enhances patient care and outcome. This case underscores the importance in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome, highlighting its capability to uncover hidden anomalies and assist in surgical planning.

Introduction: Transition to outpatient surgery has grown with an emphasis on delivery of safe, high-quality medical care. The purpose of this study is to compare 90-day emergency department (ED) visits, readmissions, and complications between patients undergoing outpatient versus inpatient pollicization surgery.

Methods: A single institution database was queried for primary thumb pollicization from 2010 to 2022 in patients under 18 years of age. Standard demographic data, comorbidities, surgical information, and discharge disposition were collected. Primary outcome measures were complications including ED visits, unplanned reoperations and hospital readmissions within 90-days of index procedure.

Results: Twenty-seven patients underwent pollicization surgery. Twenty patients were outpatient surgery while 7 had postoperative hospital admission, defined as an overnight hospital stay. The outpatient cohort had no major postoperative complications including no ED visits, reoperations or readmissions within 90 days of index procedure. One outpatient experienced swelling around bilateral thumb pin sites without infection or vascular compromise. One inpatient represented to the ED within 90 days of surgery for bilateral hand cellulitis.All patients with ASA I classification were performed outpatient. Three of 7 inpatients (43 %) had congenital heart disease versus 5 of the 20 (25 %) outpatients. There was a trend that inpatients were younger than the outpatient cohort (19 vs. 33 months). The average length of procedure in the inpatient cohort was significantly longer than the outpatient cohort (237 vs. 173 min). Pollicizations performed between 2017 and 2022 were more likely to be outpatient than those performed between 2010 and 2016.

Conclusion: On properly selected patients, outpatient pollicization appears to be a safe option. Patients with longer operative times were more likely to require postoperative hospital admission. Over the study years evaluated at our institution, pollicization procedures were more likely to be performed outpatient, reflecting an evolution of our practice.

Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Background: We sought to determine the diagnostic utility of the flexion-compression (F-C) test for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Using electrodiagnostic testing as the gold standard, we hypothesized that the F-C test would be a better diagnostic test for CTS as compared to the wrist flexion (Phalen's) or palmar compression (Durkan's) tests alone.

Methods: We studied patients who presented with and without CTS symptoms, designated as study and control group patients, respectively. At the first clinic visit, all patients were evaluated using the CTS-6 score, and then the Phalen's, Durkan's, and F-C tests in a random order. Patients in the study group were then sent for electrodiagnostic testing.

Results: 162 patients were included after power analysis, 81 each in the study and control groups. Among study group patients with electrodiagnostic evidence of CTS, the positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of the Phalen's test (1.29) was higher than the Durkan's (1.06) and F-C (0.95) tests, though less than the CTS-6 score (1.64). Performing any physical exam test in conjunction with the CTS-6 score was not more useful than the CTS-6 alone. As expected, all three physical exam maneuvers were more likely to be positive among study patients compared to control patients.

Conclusions: None of the physical exam maneuvers were highly predictive of electrophysiologically-positive CTS. The CTS-6 score alone better predicts electrodiagnostic evidence of CTS than physical exam, though it only very slightly increases the post-test probability of disease. Formal electrodiagnostic testing remains important in diagnosing CTS when compared to physical exam maneuvers and CTS-6.

Background: Trigger finger is a common disorder of the hand characterized by pain and locking of the digits during flexion or extension. In cases refractory to nonoperative management, surgical release of the A1 pulley can be performed. This study evaluates the ability of machine learning (ML) techniques to predict short-term complications following trigger digit release surgery.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using data for trigger digit release from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) years 2005-2020. Outcomes of interest were 30-day complications and 30-day return to the operating room. Three ML algorithms were evaluated - a Random Forest (RF), Elastic-Net Regression (ENet), and Extreme Gradient Boosted Tree (XGBoost), along with a deep learning Neural Network (NN). Feature importance analysis was performed in the highest performing model for each outcome to identify predictors with the greatest contributions.

Results: We included a total of 1209 cases of trigger digit release. The best algorithm for predicting wound complications was the RF, with an AUC of 0.64 ± 0.04. The XGBoost algorithm was best performing for medical complications (AUC: 0.70 ± 0.06) and reoperations (AUC: 0.60 ± 0.07). All three models had performance significantly above the AUC benchmark of 0.50 ± 0.00. On our feature importance analysis, age was distinctively the highest contributing predictor of wound complications.

Conclusions: Machine learning can be successfully used for risk stratification in surgical patients. Moving forwards, it is imperative for hand surgeons to continue evaluating applications of ML in the field.

Background: Aim of the present paper is to report the preliminary results of CAD-CAM (Computer-Aided Design - Computer-Aided Manufacturing) technology application to distal femur nonunion treatment with free fibula flap, custom made medial plating and maintenance of a stable lateral locking plate.

Methods: Two cases of distal femur nonunion that occurred after lateral locking plating were treated and prospectively followed-up. Surgical planning followed the same preoperative protocol adopted for mandibular CAD-CAM reconstruction. Wide cutting sections were planned to obtain radical debridement. The tailored custom-made plate, a 3D rendering of bone defect and the cutting guides were produced and sterilized. Surgical intervention was conducted by steps (medial approach, bone resection, recipient vessels isolation, fibula harvesting and cutting, plate-fibula construct assembly, microvascular anastomosis, final fixation).

Results: The mean follow-up was 13 (12-15) months. Bone union was achieved in both cases at mean 3.1 months. Full weight bearing without referred pain or discomfort was reached in both cases at mean 8,5 months (range 7-10). No complications occurred.

Conclusions: CAD-CAM technology proved to be useful and reliable in custom made medial plating combined with free fibula transfer for the treatment of distal femur nonunion after lateral locking plating.

Trial registration: none.

Background: The definitive treatment of Kienbock's disease has yet to be determined. Wrist denervation combined with core decompression of the radius has not been previously studied as a combined treatment for Kienbock's disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of simultaneous wrist denervation and core decompression of the radius in the treatment of Kienbock's disease.

Methods: All patients with Kienbock's disease who were treated with simultaneous core decompression of the radius and wrist denervation by a single surgeon at a single institution from 2012 to 2022 were contacted for this study. Demographic, clinical and radiographic data were collected retrospectively. Quick DASH and Upper Extremity PROMIS scores were collected prospectively.

Results: Ten patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age at time of surgery was 31 years old. One patient was Lichtman stage 2, 5 patients were stage 3a, and 4 patients were stage 3 b. Patient reported outcomes were collected at a mean of 5.1 years since surgery (7 month-10.3 years). The mean Upper Extremity Promise T-score was 49 (median 52; age >/ = 40, normal 51.2 ± 8.2; age <40, normal 55.9 ± 6.6) and the mean Quick DASH score was 13 (median 7; normal 0-20). Nine of 10 patients reported they were satisfied with the procedure, and 100 % of patients said they would choose to have the procedure again.

Conclusions: Patients with Lichtman stage 2, 3a and 3 b Kienbock's disease treated with simultaneous core decompression and wrist denervation reported minimal to no disability at 5 years after surgery. All patients in this study reported they would choose to have the surgery again to treat their Kienbock's disease.