Chao Long

Quality of surgical randomized controlled trials in hand surgery: a systematic review

We assessed the quantity, quality and trends of randomized controlled trials comparing hand surgical interventions. Study characteristics were collected for 125 randomized controlled trials comparing hand surgical interventions. The Jadad scale (0–5), which assesses methodological quality of trials, was calculated. Logistic regressions were conducted to determine associations with the Jadad score. The studies were published between 1981 and 2015, with an increase over time, most often in Journal of Hand Surgery (European). Mean study size was 68 patients. Mean Jadad score was 2.1, without improvement over time. Thirty percent conducted a power analysis and 8% an intention-to-treat analysis. Studies conducted in the United Kingdom and with smaller sample sizes, power analysis and intention-to-treat analysis were associated with a higher Jadad score. The quantity of trials has increased over time while methodological quality has remained low, indicating a need to improve quality of trials in hand surgery literature.

Reverse Radial Forearm Flap

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Intratendinous Injection of Hydrogel for Reseeding Decellularized Human Flexor Tendons

Background: Decellularized cadaveric tendons are a potential source for reconstruction. Reseeding to enhance healing is ideal; however, cells placed on the tendon surface result in inadequate delivery. The authors used an injection technique to evaluate intratendinous cell delivery. Methods: Decellularized tendons were reseeded with adipose-derived stem cells in culture, and injected with fetal bovine serum or hydrogel. PKH26-stained cells in cross-section were quantified. To evaluate cell viability, the authors delivered luciferase-labeled cells and performed bioluminescent imaging. To evaluate synthetic ability, the authors performed immunohistochemistry of procollagen. Adipose-derived stem cells’ ability to attract tenocytes was assessed using transwell inserts. Cell-to-cell interaction was assessed by co-culturing, measuring proliferation and collagen production, and quantifying synergy. Finally, tensile strength was tested. Results: Both fetal bovine serum (p < 0.001) and hydrogel (p < 0.001) injection led to more cells inside the tendon compared with culturing. Hydrogel injection initially demonstrated greater bioluminescence than culturing (p < 0.005) and fetal bovine serum injection (p < 0.05). Injection groups demonstrated intratendinous procollagen staining correlating with the cells’ location. Co-culture led to greater tenocyte migration (p < 0.05). Interaction index of proliferation and collagen production assays were greater than 1 for all co-culture ratios, demonstrating synergistic proliferation and collagen production compared with controls (p < 0.05). There were no differences in tensile strength. Conclusions: Hydrogel injection demonstrated the greatest intratendinous seeding efficiency and consistency, without compromising tensile strength. Intratendinous cells demonstrated synthetic capabilities and can potentially attract tenocytes inside the tendon, where synergy would promote intrinsic tendon healing. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.

Molecular Biology of Flexor Tendon Healing in Relation to Reduction of Tendon Adhesions

Tendon injuries are encountered after major and minor hand trauma. Despite meticulous repair technique, adhesion formation can occur, limiting recovery. Although a great deal of progress has been made toward understanding the mechanism of tendon healing and adhesions, clinically applicable solutions to prevent adhesions remain elusive. The goal of this paper is to review the most recent literature relating to the tendon healing and adhesion prevention.

An Inexpensive Bismuth-Petrolatum Dressing for Treatment of Burns.

Background: Xeroform remains the current standard for treating superficial partial-thickness burns but can be prohibitively expensive in developing countries with prevalent burn injuries. This study (1) describes the production of an alternative low-cost dressing and (2) compares the alternative dressing and Xeroform using the metrics of cost-effectiveness, antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility in vitro, and wound healing in vivo. Methods: To produce the alternative dressing, 3% bismuth tribromophenate powder was combined with petroleum jelly by hand and applied to Kerlix gauze. To assess cost-effectiveness, the unit costs of Xeroform and components of the alternative dressing were compared. To assess antimicrobial properties, the dressings were placed on agar plated with Escherichia coli and the Kirby-Bauer assay performed. To assess biocompatibility, the dressings were incubated with human dermal fibroblasts and cells stained with methylene blue. To assess in vivo wound healing, dressings were applied to excisional wounds on rats and the rate of re-epithelialization calculated. Results: The alternative dressing costs 34% of the least expensive brand of Xeroform. Antimicrobial assays showed that both dressings had similar bacteriostatic effects. Biocompatibility assays showed that there was no statistical difference (P < 0.05) in the cytotoxicity of Xeroform, alternative dressing, and Kerlix gauze. Finally, the in vivo healing model showed no statistical difference (P < 0.05) in mean re-epithelialization time between Xeroform (13.0 ± 1.6 days) and alternative dressing (13.5 ± 1.0 days). Conclusions: Xeroform is biocompatible, reduces infection, and enhances healing of burn wounds by preventing desiccation and mechanical trauma. Handmade petrolatum gauze may be a low-cost replacement for Xeroform. Future studies will focus on clinical trials in burn units.

Overuse of Air Ambulance Services at a Regional Burn Center

Air ambulances rapidly transport burn patients to regional centers, expediting treatment. However, limited guidelines on transport introduce the risk for inappropriate triage and overuse. Given the additional costs of air vs ground transport, evaluation of transportation use is prudent. A retrospective review of all burn patients transported by helicopter to a single burn center from May 2013 to January 2016 was performed. Data gathered included patient demographics, transfer origin, burn characteristics, and inpatient hospital stay. The primary outcome was appropriate triage based on literature-derived severity criteria. Secondary outcomes included independent predictors of emergent treatments and the cost of overuse. Sixty-eight patients were examined, of which 66% met air ambulance criteria. Inappropriately triaged patients sustained smaller burns (% TBSA 4.8 vs 25.3, P < .001), had fewer flame burns (48 vs 82%, P = .007), had decreased lengths of stay (mean days 8.2 vs 21.2, P = .002), underwent fewer inpatient surgeries (mean 0.69 vs 2.57, P = .006), received no emergent procedures (0 vs 56%, P < .001), and suffered no deaths (0 vs 9%, P < .001). Independent predictors of emergent procedures included transport for airway concern (odds ratio = 45.29, confidence interval = 2.49-825.21, P = .010) and % TBSA (odds ratio = 1.13, confidence interval = 1.02-1.27, P = .019). If the 23 inappropriately triaged patients had been transported by ground, a cost savings of

Abstract: Randomized Controlled Trials for Surgical Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

106,370 could have been realized using 2016 California Medicare reimbursements (per-patient savings of

Creation of Nepal’s First Skin Bank: Challenges and Outcomes

4624). While appropriate in most circumstances, the cost of air ambulances should be weighed in light of their utility, as a significant proportion of patients did not benefit from air transport.

Management of Mastectomy Skin Necrosis in Implant Based Breast Reconstruction

Background:Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard in evidence-based medicine. The authors conducted a systematic review to evaluate the quantity, quality, and trends of randomized controlled trials that assess surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.Methods:The authors id

Factors Associated with Patient Press Ganey Satisfaction Scores for Ophthalmology Patients

Background: In Nepal, burn trauma causes more than 55,000 injuries each year. Burn-related mortality is high in Nepal, in part due to lack of allograft, leading to high infection rates. To address this challenge, our collaboration between Kirtipur Hospital, America Nepal Medical Foundation, Stanford University, and ReSurge International established Nepal’s first skin bank. Methods: We identified 3 major tasks to create a sustainable skin banking program: 1) identify and acquire the equipment and personnel needed to collect, process, store, and graft cadaveric skin for burn injuries; 2) develop safe donation protocols and documentation tools that remain feasible for low-resource settings; and 3) develop a long-term awareness program to educate the Nepali people on skin donation, a previously foreign concept. Results: Kirtipur Hospital acquired the necessary equipment and materials for the skin bank through a combination of local and international fundraising efforts. Existing U.S. skin banking protocols were adapted for the Nepali setting and piloted on potential patients, donors, and physicians. For the first time in the hospital’s history, patients with > 40% total body surface area burns were successfully treated with extensive allografts. Conclusions: It is feasible to create a skin bank in a country with no tradition of allograft skin use. Long-term sustainability now depends on spreading awareness and education in the Kathmandu Valley to overcome religious and cultural barriers that have hindered donor recruitment. Our low-cost and high-impact skin bank provides a model to expand this system to other hospitals both within Nepal and beyond.