Hand Surgery & Rehabilitation最新文献

Knowledge of nail physiology is mandatory to understand nail pathologies, and to know what to repair and what to expect from your repair. Unfortunately, nail physiology in humans is not completely understood. However, there are some data that have been validated and must be known before treating patients. The nail plate is mostly made of keratins. It is produced solely by the nail matrix. The nail bed is mostly responsible for nail pate adhesion. At the hyponychium, the plate loses its adherence. The hyponychium is the first barrier of defense preventing bacteria and fungi from invading the subungual area. All these structures, along with the nail folds, are responsible for the orientation of nail-plate growth.

However, many questions, such as whether to replace the nail plate at end of procedure, remain open.

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail, and the most common nail infection worldwide, causing discoloration and thickening of the nail plate. It is predominantly caused by dermatophytes. Clinical presentation is polymorphous. Diagnosis must be confirmed by mycological examination before initiating any therapy. Management is an ongoing challenge, often requiring several months’ treatment, with a high risk of recurrence. Treatment must be adapted to clinical presentation and severity and to the patient’s history and wishes. Debridement of all infected keratin is the first step, reducing fungal load. Systemic treatments are more effective than topical treatments, and combining the two increases the cure rate. Terbinafine is the drug of choice for dermatophyte onychomycosis, due to low drug interaction and good cost-effectiveness. Itraconazole and fluconazole are broad‐spectrum antifungals that are effective against dermatophytes, yeasts, and some non‐dermatophytic molds. Recurrence rates for onychomycosis are high. Prophylactic application of topicals and avoiding walking barefoot in public places may help prevent recurence.

Fingertip injuries are the most common injury to the hand.

The nail represents a unique structure in the human body providing in fine pinch, stability and protection. Management of fingertip injuries can often be a challenging experience, especially in presence of complex lesion that include soft tissue loss and distal phalanx injury.

In this review we present a variety of options in caring for these injuries to help achieve and avoid the sequels. The goal of treatment is restoration of a painless, functional digit with protective sensation.

The nail unit is the most commonly affected area in hand infections, which can be primary infection or superinfection complicating other nail or skin disorders. Trauma, mechanical or chemical, is usually the trigger enabling infiltration of infectious organisms. Artificial nails and nail polish are also a possible cause of bacterial infection, harboring microorganisms. In severe acute bacterial infection, surgical intervention is often needed to prevent morbidity and disability. Abscess should always be drained, but viral infection such as herpetic whitlow, may mimic an abscess and, in contrast, requires non-operative treatment; to prevent sequelae. A more conservative approach is also generally advisable in less severe bacterial infection, other viral infections and in subacute or chronic nail infection. The present review deals with acute, subacute and chronic bacterial and viral infections of the nail unit, with a focus on diagnostic and treatment options.

Level of evidence

III, systematic review of level III studies.

Knowledge of nail anatomy is a prerequisite for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The nail apparatus is a highly specialized structure, but is in close relationship to the distal phalanx which supports it and to the pulp which carries the sensory receptors and is involved in pinching. It can be divided by the nail plate into the perionychium underneath, and the paronychium above. The perionychium includes, from proximal to distal: the nail matrix, the sole structure responsible for the growth of the nail plate; the nail bed, mostly responsible for adhesion of the plate; and the hyponychium, which is the most distal part, where the nail plate loses its adhesion. The paronychium comprises three nail folds, one proximal and two lateral, that embed the nail plate. The nail apparatus is richly vascularized, with three main sources, and richly innervated, which explains why trauma and surgery are so painful.

Objectives

This study evaluates the impact of an upper-limb ultrasound surgery diploma on surgical practices, specifically assessing how this specialized training influences the adoption and application of ultrasound techniques in upper limb surgeries.

Material and methods

A comprehensive survey was conducted from August to November 2023, targeting individuals who completed the upper-limb ultrasound surgery diploma program between 2013 and 2023. The survey, distributed online, comprised 31 questions spanning demographic information, professional background, specifics about the diploma program, motivations for pursuing the diploma, post-diploma practices, challenges faced, and financing of ultrasound equipment.

Results

Out of the 181 actually receiving the questionnaire. 94 (52%) completed the survey. The results showed an increase in ultrasound-guided interventions from 14.9% to 47.9% post-diploma. The diploma significantly influenced diagnostic ultrasound usage, though not statistically significant (35.3%–74.5%). The primary motivation for pursuing the diploma was the desire to embrace innovation (76.6%). Post-diploma, over half of the graduates observed a positive impact on patient recruitment. Challenges included lack of confidence and time constraints. Over 56% of graduates planned to increase their ultrasound-guided surgery practice. Net Promoter Score of the ultrasound interventions practices was 54.8.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates the considerable impact of the upper-limb ultrasound surgery diploma on surgical practices, notably in increasing the adoption and application of ultrasound-guided techniques. It highlights the importance of specialized training in adapting to technological advancements and enhancing patient care, suggesting directions for future surgical education and clinical practice integration.

Nail anesthesia is systematic in nail surgery. It is usually performed by the surgeon, a few minutes ahead of the procedure. Several techniques and substances are available. The rules of anesthesia must be respected for surgery to be comfortable, with the whole operated zone anesthetized. The surgeon has to select appropriate type of anesthesia according to the surgical indication, patient age and comorbidities; the local anesthetic must be chosen; contraindications must be respected; the injection site must be selected; the quantity must be determined; and the patient must be monitored for any complications. All these steps are mandatory, before, during and after nail anesthesia, for nail surgery to be painless and safe.