Brian Rinker

Functional outcome following nerve repair in the upper extremity using processed nerve allograft.

PURPOSE Reconstruction of peripheral nerve discontinuities with processed nerve allograft has become increasingly relevant. The RANGER Study registry was initiated in 2007 to study the use of processed nerve allografts in contemporary clinical practice. We undertook this study to analyze outcomes for upper extremity nerve repairs contained in the registry database. METHODS We identified an upper extremity-specific population within the RANGER Study registry database consisting of 71 nerves repaired with processed nerve allograft. This group was composed of 56 subjects with a mean age of 40 ± 17 years (range, 18-86 y). We analyzed data to determine the safety and efficacy of processed nerve allograft. Quantitative data were available on 51 subjects with 35 sensory, 13 mixed, and 3 motor nerves. The mean gap length was 23 ± 12 mm (range, 5-50 mm). We performed an analysis to evaluate response-to-treatment and to examine sensory and motor recovery according to the international standards for motor and sensory nerve recovery. RESULTS There were no reported implant complications, tissue rejections, or adverse experiences related to the use of the processed nerve allografts. Overall recovery, S3 or M4 and above, was achieved in 86% of the procedures. Subgroup analysis demonstrated meaningful levels of recovery in sensory, mixed, and motor nerve repairs with graft lengths between 5 and 50 mm. The study also found meaningful levels of recovery in 89% of digital nerve repairs, 75% of median nerve repairs, and 67% of ulnar nerve repairs. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that processed nerve allografts offer a safe and effective method of reconstructing peripheral nerve gaps from 5 to 50 mm in length. These outcomes compare favorably with those reported in the literature for nerve autograft, and exceed those reported for tube conduits.

A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Woven Polyglycolic Acid and Autogenous Vein Conduits for Reconstruction of Digital Nerve Gaps

PURPOSE The optimal management of a nerve gap within the fingers remains an unanswered question in hand surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensory recovery, cost, and complication profile of digital nerve repair using autogenous vein and polyglycolic acid conduits. METHODS We enrolled patients undergoing repair of digital nerve injuries with gaps precluding primary repair. The minimum gap that was found to preclude primary repair was 4 mm. Each nerve repair was randomized to the type of nerve repair with either a woven polyglycolic acid conduit or autogenous vein. Time required for repair was recorded. We performed sensory testing, consisting of static and moving 2-point discrimination, at 6 and 12 months after repair. We compared patient factors between the 2 groups using chi-square and Students t-test. We compared sensory recovery between the 2 groups at each time point using Students t-test and compared time and cost of repair. RESULTS We enrolled 42 patients with 76 nerve repairs. Of these, 37 patients (representing 68 repairs) underwent sensory evaluation at the 6-month time point. The median age in this group was 35 years. We repaired 36 nerves with synthetic conduit and 32 with vein. Nerve gaps ranged from 4 to 25 mm (mean, 10 mm). Study groups were not significantly different regarding age, time to repair, gap length, medical history, smoking history, or workers compensation status. Time to harvest the vein was longer but the average cost of materials and surgery in the vein group was

The use of a hydrogel sealant on flexor tendon repairs to prevent adhesion formation

1,220, compared with

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the management of vascular malformations of the trunk and extremities.

1,269 for synthetic conduit repairs. These differences were not statistically significant. Mean static and moving 2-point discrimination at 6 months for the synthetic conduit group were 8.3 ± 2.0 and 6.6 ± 2.3, respectively, compared with 8.5 ± 1.8 and 7.1 ± 2.2 for the vein group. Values at 12 months for the synthetic conduit group were 7.5 ± 1.9 and 5.6 ± 2.2, compared with 7.6 ± 2.6 and 6.6 ± 2.9 for the vein group. These differences were not statistically significant. Smokers and workers compensation patients had a worse sensory recovery at 12 months postrepair. There were 2 extrusions in the synthetic conduit group requiring reoperation; however, the difference in extrusion rate was not found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Sensory recovery after digital nerve reconstruction with autogenous vein conduit was equivalent to that using polyglycolic acid conduit, with a similar cost profile and fewer postoperative complications.

The evils of nicotine: an evidence-based guide to smoking and plastic surgery.

The prevention of peritendinous adhesions after zone II flexor tendon repair poses a significant challenge to hand surgeons. This study evaluates a hydrogel sealant (FocalSeal-L) as a barrier to peritendinous adhesion formation. The deep flexors of toes 2 through 4 were divided and repaired in 30 chickens. Chickens were randomized to tendon repair with (n = 15) or without (n = 15) FocalSeal-L. Each group was further randomized to have their tendons studied postoperatively at 3 (n = 10), 6 (n = 10), or 12 (n = 10) weeks. Histologic evaluation revealed decreased peritendinous adhesion formation in the FocalSeal-L group. Biomechanical analysis demonstrated a decrease in work of flexion in the FocalSeal-L group that was most pronounced at 6 weeks (P = 0.0020). There was no significant difference in breaking strength. Apparently, an effective barrier to peritendinous adhesion formation, this sealant system is easy to use, biocompatible, and bioresorbable. In addition, it is not bulky or restrictive to tendon glide.

Subatmospheric pressure dressing as a bridge to free tissue transfer in the treatment of open tibia fractures.

&NA; Vascular malformations can usually be diagnosed on clinical grounds. They have a well‐defined appearance on magnetic resonance imaging, which can effectively determine their tissue and flow characteristics. However, the role of cross‐sectional imaging in the management of vascular malformations is not well defined. Most reviews suggest that magnetic resonance imaging should be reserved for cases in which the extent of the lesion cannot be estimated on physical examination. However, to date no group has compared the accuracy of physical examination alone to that of magnetic resonance imaging in determining this extent. A review was performed of all the patients evaluated for vascular malformations at the New York University Trunk and Extremity Vascular Anomalies Conference between July of 1994 and August of 1999. Patients who underwent magnetic resonance evaluation at other institutions and whose images were not available for review were excluded. All study patients either underwent magnetic resonance imaging examination at New York University Medical Center or had outside films reviewed at the center. The physical examination findings were compared with the magnetic resonance findings and the surgeon and radiologist made a joint decision about whether there was a correlation between the magnetic resonance and physical examination findings. Fifty‐eight patients met the study criteria, 44 (76 percent) of whom were found to have more extensive disease on magnetic resonance examination than appreciated on physical examination. Of the 51 patients with low‐flow vascular malformations (venous vascular malformations, lymphatic malformations, and capillary malformations), 39 (76 percent) had more extensive disease on magnetic resonance examination than on physical examination. Of the seven patients with high‐flow arteriovenous malformations, five had more extensive disease on magnetic resonance. In all of the 44 patients whose magnetic resonance imaging findings did not correlate with those of the physical examination, therapeutic decision making was affected. Contrary to the conventional wisdom of published reviews, physical examination findings significantly underestimated the extent of vascular malformations in the majority of cases. Magnetic resonance imaging should be performed in all patients with vascular malformations of the trunk and extremities before therapy is planned. In an age when physicians are asked to justify their decisions, especially where the use of expensive diagnostic modalities is concerned, the situations in which these tests are indispensable must be clearly defined or else patients will be denied access to them. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 112: 504, 2003.)

Comparison of sterile versus nonsterile acellular dermal matrices for breast reconstruction.

AbstractAs nearly 1 of 5 adult Americans are smokers, plastic surgeons should be familiar with the effect of smoking on perioperative risk, the importance of smoking cessation, and the tools to help patients quit. Cigarette smoke contains over 250 known toxins, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and nitric oxide, which all are known to impair wound healing, through multiple mechanisms. The relationship of smoking and delayed postoperative wound healing has been established in numerous prospective and retrospective cohort studies (level 2 and 3 evidence), and has been demonstrated across a wide range of surgical disciplines and procedures, including many common plastic surgical procedures. The ameliorating effects of cessation are supported by level 1 evidence, which suggests that the optimal duration of preoperative cessation is 4 weeks or longer. Nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation medications are effective aids for quitting and should be familiar to plastic surgeons.

Proximal radial compression neuropathy.

Background: Free flap reconstruction performed shortly after injury is associated with reduced complications but is not always feasible. Subatmospheric pressure dressings have several beneficial effects on wounds. This study reviewed a large series of open tibia fractures to determine whether subatmospheric pressure dressings affected complication rates. Methods: One hundred five patients underwent free muscle flap reconstruction for open tibia fractures between 1991 and 2005. Patients were divided into three groups: acute (flap performed 1 to 7 days after injury), subacute (8 to 42 days after injury), and chronic (>42 days after injury). Five outcome measures were used: infectious complications, flap-related complications, surgical procedures, hospital stay, and time to bony union. The subacute group was divided into patients who underwent subatmospheric pressure dressing therapy and those who did not. Results: The complication rate in the subacute group (n = 55) was 47 percent, compared with 39 percent in the chronic group (n = 18) and 31 percent in the acute group (n = 32). Time to union was significantly shorter in the acute group than in the other groups. Subacute patients who underwent subatmospheric dressing therapy had lower overall complication (35 percent), infectious complication (6 percent), and flap-related complication rates (12 percent) than those who did not (53, 18, and 21 percent, respectively). Time to union was significantly shorter with the dressings. Conclusion: Subatmospheric pressure dressing therapy as a “bridge” to free flap reconstruction in patients with open tibia fractures was associated with reduced complication rates in the subacute group, suggesting that the dressings may effectively extend the acute period when early free tissue transfer is not possible.

The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in community-acquired hand infections.

BackgroundAcellular dermal matrix (ADM) has been associated with an increased incidence of complications after implant-based breast reconstruction. Recently, sterile ADM has been introduced in an attempt to minimize these complications. To analyze the impact of this product on patient outcomes, we created a database of patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction. MethodsPatients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction at the University of Kentucky Medical Center from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011 were identified. A database of patient characteristics and outcomes was created. Outcomes investigated included mastectomy flap necrosis, dehiscence, infection, red breast, capsular contracture, hematoma, and seroma. Statistical analysis was performed. ResultsFifty-eight patients underwent breast reconstruction with implants or tissue expanders. Of the 58 patients, 9 had the sterile form of ADM placed, 25 had the original aseptic but not sterile ADM, and 24 were not reconstructed with ADM. The most frequent complication noted was seroma, occurring in 6/9 patients with sterile ADM as compared to 2/25 with the aseptic ADM. This was statistically significant (P = 0.003). ConclusionsThe use of sterile ADM is associated with a statistically significant increase in seroma formation. The etiology of this increased incidence remains unknown, but it correlates with the introduction of the sterile form of ADM at our institution. A different preparation or sterilization process, or some other variable as yet unknown, may be responsible. Further studies comparing the different forms of ADM in an animal model may serve to clarify this issue.

Breast ptosis: causes and cure.

Proximal radial nerve compression occurs infrequently and is diagnosed successfully even less frequently. A large clinical series of patients with proximal radial nerve compression neuropathy was reviewed to determine better the common symptoms, physical findings, and electrodiagnostic findings, and to identify the predictors of better or worse outcome after surgical decompression. Seventy-nine proximal radial compression neuropathies were treated in 71 patients by the same surgeon between 1991 and 2000. The most consistent symptoms were deep aching pain in the forearm, pain radiation to the neck and shoulder, and a “heavy” sensation of the affected arm. The most common physical findings were tenderness over the radial nerve at the supinator muscle level, pain on resisted supination, and the presence of a Tinel sign over the radial forearm. Electrophysiologic studies were of limited value in diagnosis, with 90% of patients having normal findings. On operation, prominent pathology of the posterior interosseous nerve was observed in 36 of 79 limbs (46%). Follow-up ranged from 12 to 86 months (mean, 21 months) with no significant complications or recurrence of symptoms. Of the 79 nerve decompressions, 77% had excellent recovery and 20% were judged to be good. Of 69 patients employed when treated, 60 resumed gainful employment, including 53 who returned to their regular jobs. Proximal radial compression neuropathies are uncommon but present with a basic constellation of symptoms and physical findings, and decompression can provide excellent relief of symptoms.