Alberto Marcos-García

Pacinian Corpuscles Neuroma. An Exceptional Cause of Pain in the Hand

Pacinian corpuscles are rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors mainly distributed in the dermis of the fingers and palm of the hand. A neuroma of the Pacinian corpuscle is a rare and extremely painful condition with a few cases reported in the literature, most of them, associated with local or repetitive trauma. We present a 71-year-old man with history of pain and swelling on his left index without history of previous trauma initially diagnosed as tenosynovitis resistant to conservative treatment in which we observed, directly in the subcutaneous plane, spherical, gray and in clusters lesions closer to the collateral nerve which were described by the pathological study as neuroma of the Pacinian corpuscles.

Biceps to Triceps Transfer in Tetraplegic Patients Our Experience and Review of the Literature

Background: Management and indications for surgery in the tetraplegic patient are highly complex because of the substantial functional deficits that they present and their effect on their daily activity. Our purpose was to evaluate the functional outcome in tetraplegic patients who underwent biceps-to-triceps transfer surgery according to Zancolli’s modified technique. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 6 biceps-to-triceps transfers using Zancolli’s modified technique in 4 patients. Mean follow-up was 45 months. We evaluated each patient’s DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score before surgery and 12 months later. Results: In the 6 arms that underwent surgery, full and active elbow extension against gravity at 12 months after surgery was achieved. The mean DASH score was 73.2 preoperatively and 20.8 twelve months postoperatively. One complication occurred. One patient reported loss of elbow flexion preventing thigh lift for transfers. This was resolved with a program of rehabilitation and specific muscle strengthening Conclusions: Zancolli’s modified technique is simple and effective, with few complications, whereby we can provide more autonomy for the tetraplegic patient.

Bilateral Nonsynchronous Pacinian Corpuscle Neuroma

Pacinian corpuscles are rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors distributed in the dermis of the fingers and palm of the hand. A neuroma of the pacinian corpuscle is rare and extremely painful, with only a few cases reported in the literature. A 71-year-old man with pain and swelling on his left index finger, initially diagnosed as tenosynovitis resistant to nonsurgical treatment, was referred to our center. During surgery, a cluster of spherical, gray lesions close to the digital nerve was found and excised. The pathological diagnosis was neuroma of the pacinian corpuscles. Two years later, he reported the same clinical findings on his right index finger with no improvement after nonsurgical treatment. During surgery, the same lesions were found and also identified as pacinian corpuscle neuromas.

Neurovascular Complications in Clavicle Fractures Plating: A Simple Procedure to Avoid Them

Open reduction and internal fixation of clavicle displaced fractures is a well-known procedure in trauma surgery but it is not without risks including injuries to major neurovascular structures. Our goal is to share the simple and effective method to avoid neurovascular complications in clavicle fractures plating used in our center. As part of the surgical planning, we performed a digital measurement of the cephalad-caudad length of fracture fragments. We confirmed our measurement intraoperative with a sterile ruler and we adjusted the length of the drill adding 3 mm to our estimation. Knowing that the closest neurovascular structure to the clavicle is positioned at least 4.8 mm caudal to the inferior border of the clavicle, we performed the drilling knowing that we will not get >3 mm caudal to the lower border of the clavicle and, consequently, we carried out a safer surgery. We believe that this simple procedure is a valid option to help mainly young surgeons to avoid these major complications in clavicle fractures plating.

Rigideces metacarpofalángicas en extensión. ¿Un desafío para el cirujano de mano?

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to analyse the outcomes of the surgical treatment of metacarpophalangeal stiffness by dorsal teno-arthrolysis in our centre, and present a review the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is a retrospective study of 21 cases of metacarpophalangeal stiffness treated surgically. Dorsal teno-arthrolysis was carried out on all patients. A rehabilitation programme was started ten days after surgery. An evaluation was performed on the aetiology, variation in pre- and post-operative active mobility, complications, DASH questionnaire, and a subjective satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 36.5 years and the mean follow-up was 6.5 years. Of the 21 cases, the most common cause was a metacarpal fracture (52.4%), followed by complex trauma of the forearm (19%). Improvement in active mobility was 30.5°, despite obtaining an intra-operative mobility 0-90° in 80% of cases. Mean DASH questionnaire score was 36.9 points. The outcome was described as excellent in 10% of our patients, good in 30%, poor in 40%, and bad in the remaining 20%. There was a complex regional pain syndrome in 9.5% of cases, and intrinsic muscle injury in 14.3%. CONCLUSION Because of its difficult management and poor outcomes, surgical treatment of metacarpophalangeal stiffness in extension is highly complex, with dorsal teno-arthrolysis being a reproducible technique according to our results, and the results reported in the literature.

Cuatro gestos quirúrgicos en el tratamiento de la epicondilitis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Lateral epicondylitis is a common injury in the population. Most patients improve with conservative treatment, but in a small percentage surgery is necessary. The aim of this study is to analyse the clinical results obtained by a «4 surgical tips» technique. MATERIALS AND METHOD This is a retrospective study of 35 operated elbows, with a mean follow-up of 5.3 years. In all cases epicondylar denervation, removal of the angiofibroblastic degeneration core, epicondylectomy, and release of posterior interosseous nerve, was performed. Each patient was evaluated using the Broberg and Morrey Rating System (BMRS), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), DASH questionnaire, and a survey of subjective assessment. RESULTS BMRS mean score was 97.2 points, with 95.71 points with the MEPS. The mean decrease in VAS was 8.12 points, and the mean score on the DASH was 1.68 points. The results were rated as excellent or very good by 94.3% of patients. There was one recurrence, which resolved with further surgery. Two neuropraxia of the posterior interosseous nerve occurred, which completely recovered in 10 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Using the «4 surgical tips» technique, clinical resolution of symptoms in 97.1% was achieved at the first operation. Therefore, it appears to be an effective, reproducible technique with few complications, in the surgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis resistant to conservative treatment.