Bekir Yavuz Uçar

Percutaneous surgery: A safe procedure for trigger finger?

Background: Trigger finger is relatively common problem among hand disorders. There are open and percutaneous surgical methods for the treatment. Aim: This study was designed to examine the mid-term results of the percutaneous surgical technique on patients with chronic trigger finger. Materials and Methods: We included 48 trigger fingers of 48 patients (36 females and 12 males). They were between the ages of 42-68 years (mean age, 52 years). We performed release of the trigger finger by using a 14-gauge needle via the percutaneous technique. We performed open surgery on the trigger fingers of 20 patients in order to evaluate the results obtained from percutaneous surgery. The patients were followed for 30 months on average (18-46 months) following the procedure. Results: Following the procedure, pain and locking of the fingers were resolved completely. On the fingers that had open surgery, we observed that the release of the pulley was successful. Only 2 patients had minor abrasions, without any tendon injury. During the follow-up period, no complications were reported in either of the patient groups. Conclusions: Percutaneous surgical technique in the treatment of trigger finger is an effective, convenient and cost-effective method with a low complication rate, and is therefore a preferable alternative to open surgery.

Open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation with triceps lengthening for neglected elbow dislocations

Purpose. To evaluate outcome of open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation with triceps lengthening for neglected elbow dislocations. Methods. Records of 6 women and 14 men aged 7 to 60 (mean, 20) years who underwent open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation with triceps lengthening for neglected elbow dislocations were reviewed. The dislocations were posterolateral (n=11), posterior (n=4), and posteromedial (n=5). No patient had a neurologic deficit. Elbow stiffness was the main indication for surgery. The duration of dislocation was 25 to 45 days in 11 patients and >45 days in 9; the mean was 47 days. The Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) was used to assess outcome at the final follow-up. The maximum score was 100. Scores of 90 to 100 were considered excellent, 75 to 89 good, 60 to 74 fair, and <60 poor. Results. The mean follow-up period was 39.1 months. At the final follow-up, the mean MEPI score was 79.3; outcome was excellent in 6 patients, good in 8, fair in 4, and poor in 2. The mean MEPI was 86.4 and 70.6 for patients with ≤45 and >45 days of dislocation, respectively. The mean range of movement improved from 20° to 84.5° (p<0.001). The 2 groups were significantly different in terms of MEPI (p=0.005) and range of movement (p=0.001). The MEPI correlated negatively with the duration of dislocation (r= −0.562, p=0.01). The range of movement correlated negatively with patient age (r= −0.649, p=0.002). Conclusion. Open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation with triceps lengthening, together with active postoperative elbow movements achieved favourable results for neglected elbow dislocations, especially in younger patients and those in whom the duration of dislocation was <45 days.

Retrospective Cohort Study of the Prevalence of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra in a Wide and Well-Represented Population

Purpose. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) in a well-represented general population. Methods. For a retrospective cohort study, abdominal radiographs of adult subjects were queried with clear visibility of the vertebral body articulation of the last rib, all lumbar transverse processes, and complete sacral wings. Exclusion criteria included any radiologic evidence of previous lumbosacral surgery that would block our view. A total of 6200 abdominal films were reviewed, and 3607 were identified as being suitable for the measurement of the desired parameters. Results. A total of 3607 subjects were identified as eligible for the study, and 683 (18.9%) were classified as positive for a lumbosacral transitional vertebra. The prevalence of sacralization and lumbarization was found as 17.2% and 1.7%, respectively. The average age at the time of the study was 39.5 ± 15.2 years (18–86 years). Conclusions. As a result of different opinions, LSTV retains its controversial status. Our prevalence study of the general population will provide assistance for resolution of the controversy. Prevalence studies of the general population with a wide participation will shed light on comparative studies.

Effectiveness of locking versus dynamic compression plates for diaphyseal forearm fractures.

This study compares the results of the locking compression plate (LCP) and the dynamic compression plate (DCP) in the treatment of diaphyseal forearm fractures in adults and defines the indications for the use of the LCP. Forty-two patients with diaphyseal forearm fractures were retrospectively analyzed. Of those, 22 had been treated with the LCP (LCP group) and 20 had been treated with the DCP (DCP group). The AO/ASIF classification was used to classify the fractures. Patients were assessed using the Grace-Eversmann criteria and the Disabilities of the Arm and Shoulder and Hand questionnaire during the final follow-up. Mean follow-up was 21 months (range, 20-24 months) in the LCP group and 23 months (range, 19-26 months) in the DCP group. Union was achieved in all patients. Mean time to union was 15 weeks (range, 12-25 weeks) in the LCP group and 17 weeks (range, 13-24 weeks) in the DCP group. In each group, 1 patient experienced delayed union, which required no additional surgical intervention. No significant difference was found regarding the time to union between the groups (P>.05). No significant difference existed between the 2 groups in terms of Grace-Eversmann criteria and Disabilities of the Arm and Shoulder and Hand scores (both P>.05). The results of these different fixation methods for forearm fractures in adults are similar. As such, the correct selection and application of surgical technique is more important than the type of plate used.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on healing in an experimental model of degloving injury in tails of nicotine-treated rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on healing in an experimental model of a degloving injury of the tails of nicotine-treated rats. Thirty-two male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized to four groups (n = 8): nicotine (group 1); HBO (group 2); nicotine + HBO (group 3); and control (group 4). The mean length of the necrotic parts of the tails at the degloving injury site was significantly higher in group 1 compared with groups 2, 3, and 4, and was significantly lower in group 2 compared with groups 1, 3, and 4. The mean histopathological stage of ulcers at the degloving injury site was statistically significantly higher (more severe) in group 1 compared with groups 2, 3, and 4, and was statistically significantly lower in group 2 compared with groups 1, 3, and 4. It appears that the negative effects of nicotine on wound healing in degloving injuries are negated by the positive effects of immediate HBO therapy.

Determining bone bruises of the knee with magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction Injuries that develop secondary to minor traumas and cannot be detected via direct examination methods, but are detected via advanced imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, are called occult bone injuries or bone bruises. In such injuries, diagnostic arthroscopy usually does not reveal any pathology. MR imaging methods are quite beneficial for the diagnosis of such clinical conditions, which cause acute pain and restriction of motion. The present study aimed to assess occult bone injuries via MR imaging in patients who presented with minor knee trauma. Patients and Methods Twelve patients who presented with minor knee trauma were included in the study. Etiological factors in these patients included walking a long distance, falls, and minor trauma. All patients underwent physical examinations, direct radiological imaging, MR imaging, and diagnostic arthroscopy. Results Direct radiographs of the patients showed no pathological fracture. Bone marrow changes detected on the MR images were classified according to Lynch’s classification as Type I lesions in nine patients and Type II lesions in three patients. Conclusion We suggest that MR imaging methods should be the gold standard for the diagnosis of minor traumatic bruise injuries of the knee.

Nonunion of the Medial Cuneiform: A Rare Case

Isolated medial cuneiform fractures are quite rare. Conservative treatment is adequate in most cases, while deplaced or unstable fractures are treated surgically. Nonunion is seen extremely rarely after medial cuneiform fractures. There is only one case report in the literature. This case presented here is a 62-year-old male patient who had an isolated medial cuneiform fracture resulting from the impact of a falling metal object. Conservative treatment was performed initially. The patient was diagnosed as nonunion after physical and radiological examinations nine months after he presented to the outpatient clinic. Internal fixation with a mini plate and one staple after reduction was performed surgically. Defective region was filled with a 2 mL of autograft, and the operation was terminated.

Lengthening by distraction osteogenesis in congenital shortening of metacarpals

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to present the results of seven cases of metacarpal lengthening by distraction osteogenesis and to discuss the ideal daily rate of distraction. METHODS Metacarpal lengthening was performed by distraction osteogenesis in the seven metacarpals of four patients (3 females, 1 male; mean age: 14.9 years). A unilateral external fixator was used for lengthening. Lengthening was initiated with a distraction rate of 2x0.5 mm/day in the patient with bilateral involvement of the middle and ring metacarpals. On the tenth day of lengthening, distraction was discontinued due to pain and contracture. Then, distraction was continued with a rate of 2x0.25 mm/day. In all other cases, the distraction rate was 0.5 mm/day. Pre- and postoperative range of motion was measured with a goniometer. Patient satisfaction was evaluated with visual analog scale. RESULTS The mean pre- and postoperative metacarpal lengths were 34.6 mm (range: 33 to 37) and 49.7 mm (range: 47 to 52), respectively. The mean lengthening achieved was 15.1 mm (range: 14 to 17), while the mean distraction rate was 0.55 mm/day (range: 0.48 to 0.63). No functional loss was observed in the fingers at the final check-up. The patients were happy with the functional and cosmetic results. CONCLUSION Distraction osteogenesis is a safe method providing acceptable cosmetic and functional results in patients with congenital metacarpal shortness. The length of metacarpals and muscles that will be affected from lengthening should be considered when determining the daily rate of distraction.

Is Sacralization Really a Cause of Low Back Pain

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine, by plain radiography, if there is a relationship between sacralization and low back pain. Methods. Five hundred lumbosacral radiographs of low back pain patients and 500 control groups were examined. Data collection consisted of the subjects age at the time of imaging, gender, number of lumbar vertebral bodies, and bilateral height measurement of the lowest lumbar transverse process. Dysplastic transverse processes were classified according to the Castellvi radiographic classification system. The incidence of sacralization in patients and the control groups was reported, and the anomaly was compared according to the groups. Results. Of these patients groups, 106 were classified as positive for sacralization, which resulted in an incidence of 21.2%. The most common anatomical variant was Castellvi Type IA (6.8%). In the control group, 84 were classified as positive for sacralization, which resulted in an incidence of 16.8%. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups for having sacralization (P = 0.09). Discussion. The relationship between sacralization and low back pain is not clear. Because of this controversial future studies need to focus on identifying other parameters that are relevant to distinguishing lumbosacral variation, as well as corroborating the results obtained here with data from other samples.

Open ankle dislocations without associated fracture.

Background: This study aimed to clarify the intermediate followup results of reduction without soft tissue repair in open ankle dislocations without fracture. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed cases of open isolated ankle dislocations without associated fracture. Five male patients treated between January 2005 and July 2009 were enrolled in this study. Debridement and reduction with primary wound closure of the skin were performed without suture of the capsule or repair of the ligaments. The outcome was evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score (AOFAS). The time period for returning to previous level of activity was also recorded. Results: The average age of the patients was 34 (range, 27 to 44) years, and the average followup was 4 (range, 2 to 6) years. The average of the last control AOFAS score was 90 (range, 84 to 98) points. Two ankles were rated as excellent, and the other three were rated as good. Patients returned to their previous levels of physical activity at an average of 9 weeks. Conclusion: Favorable long-term results were obtained for reduction without ligament repair in pure ankle dislocations. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Study