B. Hohendorff

Palmare Handgelenksarthroskopie zur Beurteilung karpaler Begleitläsionen bei der operativen Versorgung distaler intraartikulärer Radiusfrakturen

Fractures of the distal radius, which currently are treated with palmar locking plates, are often accompanied by carpal lesions. Tears of the scapholunate interosseus ligament (SL) can affect the outcome. Between January 2007 and May 2008, 28 patients with distal intraarticular fractures of the radius were included in a prospective study. Preoperative CT-arthrography was performed. SL tears were found in 11 patients, with 10 partial and one complete rupture observed. A tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) was detected in 16 patients. Every patient was operated with a palmar locking plate through a palmar approach between the flexor carpi radialis tendon and the radial artery. Then, a palmar wrist arthroscopy using a palmar portal was performed. Eleven SL tears with 9 partial and two total ruptures were diagnosed by arthroscopy. Ten lesions were associated with a C1-fracture with a fracture line projected onto the scapholunate interval. The TFCC was appraisable by palmar wrist arthroscopy only in 4 patients. Three of the SL tears detected by CT-arthrography could not be confirmed by palmar wrist arthroscopy. One complete rupture and one partial lesion confirmed by palmar wrist arthroscopy were found by CT-arthrography to be intact. Palmar wrist arthroscopy affords certainty when assessing the SL ligament. In this study, an assessment of ulnocarpal structures was not possible. For assessment of the ulnocarpal structures, CT-arthrography was superior to palmar wrist arthroscopy. However, the latter is an alternative during emergency treatment or when CT-arthrography is not available.

Gipsverbände in der Handchirurgie

ZusammenfassungImmobilisierende Verbände sind wesentlicher Bestandteil der konservativen und perioperativen Behandlung in der Handchirurgie. Der einfache Gipsverband zeichnet sich durch niedrige Kosten und hervorragende Modellierbarkeit aus. Dieser Beitrag gibt eine Übersicht über häufig angewandte Gipsverbände in der Handchirurgie.AbstractImmobilization is as essential to conservative treatment of the hand as it is perioperatively in surgical treatment. Low cost and outstanding moldability distinguish plaster of Paris. This paper surveys frequently used applications of plaster of Paris in hand surgery.Immobilization is as essential to conservative treatment of the hand as it is perioperatively in surgical treatment. Low cost and outstanding moldability distinguish plaster of Paris. This paper surveys frequently used applications of plaster of Paris in hand surgery.

Morphology of the proximal and middle phalanx of fingers with regard to the Ascension PyroCarbon PIP total joint

The Ascension PyroCarbon prosthesis has been used in proximal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis. The dimensions of the intramedullary distal metadiaphyseal canal (isthmus) of the proximal phalanx and the base of the middle phalanx of cadaver fingers were investigated radiographically (n = 304) and macroscopically (n = 152). In up to 30% of the phalanges, the isthmus was smaller than the stem of the smallest proximal component size. The distal component head was always smaller than the middle phalanx base. Insertion and success of the Ascension PyroCarbon prosthesis is strongly dependent on bone morphology. A critical examination of the isthmus in radiographs is recommended in planning. If the isthmus is clearly smaller than the smallest proximal component, insertion of the prosthesis could be inadvisable. A clear mismatch between the distal component and the middle phalanx base should be avoided due to the potential risk for late subsidence and failure of the prosthesis.

Traction radiography for the diagnosis of scapholunate ligament tears: an experimental cadaver study.

The aim of this experimental cadaver study was to verify that thumb traction radiography can be used to diagnose scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) injury. Eight cadaver forearms were positioned vertically so that the thumb could be held in a Chinese finger trap and traction force applied using a 5 kg weight. Fluoroscopy was performed with the thumb unloaded and under traction, and then unloaded and under traction after division of the SLIL. The scapholunate joint gaps were measured electronically. The difference between the unloaded and loaded wrists with sectioned SLIL was not statistically significant. These results suggest that thumb traction radiography might not reliably detect acute, complete SLIL tears.

Joint infections of the hand

ZusammenfassungGelenkinfektionen der Hand können aufgrund einer frühzeitigen Knorpelschädigung zu irreversiblen Schäden und damit eingeschränkter Funktion führen. Bei persistierenden, nicht sofort behandelten Infektionen kann zudem eine Osteitis und/oder eine systemische Streuung resultieren. Während die Fingergelenke aufgrund ihrer Exposition meist durch Verletzungen, wie z. B. Bisse, Quetsch- oder Stichwunden, infiziert werden, ist das Handgelenk oft bei Patienten mit Immunsuppression oder internistischen Erkrankungen, wie z. B. Diabetes mellitus, betroffen. Bei verzögerter Diagnostik und Therapie können bleibende Gelenkschäden häufig nicht verhindert werden. Aus diesem Grund ist die notfallmäßige Behandlung des infizierten Gelenks zum Erhalt der Funktion der Hand zwingend notwendig. In diesem Beitrag werden die aktuelle Diagnostik und Therapie der Gelenkinfektionen dargestellt.AbstractJoint infections of the hand may lead to irreversible lesions and impairment of hand function due to early cartilage damage. Furthermore, persistent infections which are not treated immediately can cause osteitis and/or spread systemically. Finger joints are prone to infection due to bite wounds or crush and sharp injuries. Whereas the wrist is often affected in patients with immunosuppression or chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. If diagnosis and therapy are delayed, joint damage may be inevitable. Therefore, urgent treatment of the infected joint is imperative to preserve the function of the hand. This article reviews the current diagnostics and treatment of joint infections of the hand.

Gelenkinfektionen der Hand

ZusammenfassungGelenkinfektionen der Hand können aufgrund einer frühzeitigen Knorpelschädigung zu irreversiblen Schäden und damit eingeschränkter Funktion führen. Bei persistierenden, nicht sofort behandelten Infektionen kann zudem eine Osteitis und/oder eine systemische Streuung resultieren. Während die Fingergelenke aufgrund ihrer Exposition meist durch Verletzungen, wie z. B. Bisse, Quetsch- oder Stichwunden, infiziert werden, ist das Handgelenk oft bei Patienten mit Immunsuppression oder internistischen Erkrankungen, wie z. B. Diabetes mellitus, betroffen. Bei verzögerter Diagnostik und Therapie können bleibende Gelenkschäden häufig nicht verhindert werden. Aus diesem Grund ist die notfallmäßige Behandlung des infizierten Gelenks zum Erhalt der Funktion der Hand zwingend notwendig. In diesem Beitrag werden die aktuelle Diagnostik und Therapie der Gelenkinfektionen dargestellt.AbstractJoint infections of the hand may lead to irreversible lesions and impairment of hand function due to early cartilage damage. Furthermore, persistent infections which are not treated immediately can cause osteitis and/or spread systemically. Finger joints are prone to infection due to bite wounds or crush and sharp injuries. Whereas the wrist is often affected in patients with immunosuppression or chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. If diagnosis and therapy are delayed, joint damage may be inevitable. Therefore, urgent treatment of the infected joint is imperative to preserve the function of the hand. This article reviews the current diagnostics and treatment of joint infections of the hand.

Analyse des Designs der proximalen Komponente der Ascension® PyroCarbon-Fingermittelgelenksprothese im Verhältnis zur Morphologie der Grundphalanx

BACKGROUND There are many indications that long-term stability of the Ascension(®) pyrocarbon proximal interphalangeal (PIP) total joint is not attained by osseointegration but by appositional bone formation. Accordingly, good locking by cortical bone for sufficient primary stability is necessary in order to avoid prosthesis loosening before enough new bone has been formed. The size of the proximal component of the Ascension(®) PyroCarbon PIP total joint and thus cortical anchorage and primary stability depend on the morphology of the proximal finger phalanx and, especially, on the isthmus of the distal medullary canal. OBJECTIVE To clarify whether the medullary canal of the proximal finger phalanx can be enlarged using the Ascension(®) pyrocarbon PIP total joint instruments so that cortical contact of the proximal prosthesis component is guaranteed in the region of the isthmus in both sagittal and frontal planes. MATERIAL UND METHODEN Before insertion of the Ascension(®) pyrocarbon PIP total joint prosthesis, the isthmus widths of the proximal phalanx of 138 cadaver fingers were measured on radiographs by fluoroscopy in both the frontal and sagittal plane. The measured dimensions were compared to the dimensions of the inserted proximal component stems (manufacturers instructions) after preparation of the medullary canal. The largest prosthesis possible was always used. RESULTS The mean isthmus width of the index fingers on PA view was 3.4 mm (2.4-4.2), of the middle fingers 3.3 mm (1.8-4.6), of the ring fingers 3.2 mm (2.2-4.7), and of the small fingers 2.9 mm (1.4-4.3). The mean isthmus width of the index fingers on lateral view was 2.6 mm (1.6-3.7), of the middle fingers 2.5 mm (1.8-3.8), of the ring fingers 2.3 mm (1.5-3.6), and of the small fingers 2.0 mm (1.4-2.8). There were statistically significant differences between the isthmus widths measured before insertion and the stem dimensions of the inserted proximal components. While the average width of the isthmus in the index, middle, ring, and little fingers was significantly larger than the stem width of the inserted proximal components, the average isthmus height was significantly smaller than the stem height of the inserted proximal components. CONCLUSION Ideal cortical contact between the isthmus of the proximal phalanx and the largest proximal component of the Ascension(®) pyrocarbon PIP total joint prosthesis that can be inserted, and thus good primary stability, is not possible due to a mismatch in the frontal plane between the morphology of the proximal phalanx and the prosthesis. But good contact can be achieved in the sagittal plane by broaching the medullary canal.

Amputation der Hand bei nekrotisierender Fasziitis: Ein Fallbericht

We report the case of an 81-year-old woman who fell at home on her left hand and suffered a laceration of her forehead. Within days a fulminant necrotizing fasciitis of the hand from group A β-haemolytic streptococcus developed. Lacking an apparent local germ entry point at the hand, the infection was initially misinterpreted as compartment syndrome. The patients life was saved by amputation of the hand.

Neuropathie des N. medianus nach perilunären Luxationsverletzungen

PURPOSE The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the frequency and appearance of median nerve neuropathy following perilunate dislocation injuries with respect to the preceding surgical decompression and the clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS 32 patients were followed for a mean of 65 months after surgery for perilunate dislocation, including carpal tunnel release in 13 patients. 10 of 11 patients with clinical symptoms of median nerve affection at follow-up had additionally an electrophysiological examination. Median neuropathy was assumed if 2 or more parameters were pathologic. Patients with and without median neuropathy were compared. The DASH score, pain, wrist motion, grip strength and the Mayo wrist score were used to rate the outcome. RESULTS In 6 patients, neuropathy of the median nerve persisted since injury in spite of carpal tunnel release in 5 of them. 3 patients showed secondary, delayed median nerve affection. Patients with median neuropathy had a worse result with regard to pain at rest, grip force, the DASH score, and the Mayo wrist score. The difference was statistically significant for pain with activities. CONCLUSION Median neuropathy following perilunar dislocation injuries is frequent. It appears rather like a chronic neural lesion than a typical compression syndrome. A primary carpal tunnel release cannot always prevent persistent neural disorders.

Die perioperative Handhabung von Antikoagulantien in der elektiven Handchirurgie – eine Literaturübersicht

This review highlights pathways regarding the handling of anticoagulation in elective hand surgery based on current literature.