Jennifer L. Giuffre

Current Concepts of the Treatment of Adult Brachial Plexus Injuries

As the number of survivors of motor vehicle accidents and extreme sporting accidents increases, the number of people having to live with brachial plexus injuries increases. Although the injured limb will never return to normal, an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of nerve injury and repair, as well as advances in microsurgical techniques, have enabled the upper extremity reconstructive surgeon an opportunity to improve function in these life-altering injuries. The purpose of this review is to detail some of the current concepts of the treatment of adult brachial plexus injuries and give the reader an understanding of the nuances of the timing, available treatment options, and outcomes of treatment.

The best of tendon and nerve transfers in the upper extremity

Learning Objectives: After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Identify the prerequisite conditions to perform a tendon or a nerve transfer. 2. Detail some of the current nerve and tendon transfer options in upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries. 3. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of tendon and nerve transfers used in isolation and in combination. 4. Appreciate the controversies that surround the nerve/tendon transfers. 5. Realize the treatment outcomes of peripheral nerve injuries. Summary: Traditional treatment of a Sunderland fourth- or fifth-degree peripheral nerve injury has been direct neurorrhaphy, nerve grafting, or tendon transfers. With increasing knowledge of nerve pathophysiology, additional treatment options such as nerve transfers have become increasingly popular. With an array of choices for treating peripheral nerve injuries, there is debate as to whether tendon transfers and/or nerve transfers should be performed to restore upper extremity function. Often, tendon and nerve transfers are used in combination as opposed to one in isolation to obtain the most normal functioning extremity without unacceptable donor deficits. The authors tend to prefer reconstructive techniques that have proven long-term efficacy to restore function. Nerve transfers are becoming more common practice, with excellent results; however, the authors are wary of using nerve transfers that sacrifice possible secondary tendon reconstruction should the nerve transfer fail.

Surgical technique of a partial tibial nerve transfer to the tibialis anterior motor branch for the treatment of peroneal nerve injury

AbstractInjuries to the common peroneal nerve can be functionally debilitating with few treatment options. Traditionally, tendon transfers and ankle-foot orthotics have been the standard treatment of foot drop with satisfactory patient outcomes. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe an alternative surgical technique option to obtain ankle dorsiflexion in patients with foot drop using a partial nerve transfer from the tibial nerve to the motor branch of the tibialis anterior.

Wrist, First Carpometacarpal Joint, and Thumb Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis in Patients With Brachial Plexus Injuries

PURPOSE Wrist arthrodesis, first carpometacarpal joint arthrodesis, and thumb interphalangeal joint arthrodesis can be used in conjunction with other reconstructive measures to improve function and grasp in patients with complete brachial plexus injuries. This study evaluates wrist arthrodesis, first carpometacarpal joint arthrodesis, and thumb interphalangeal joint arthrodesis as measured by fusion rate, complications, and clinical outcomes. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed for 24 skeletally mature patients with brachial plexus injuries treated with wrist arthrodesis by a dorsal plating technique, first carpometacarpal joint arthrodesis by staples, and thumb interphalangeal joint arthrodesis by a tension band wiring technique. Nineteen patients were subjectively evaluated using prearthrodesis and postarthrodesis Disabilities of the Shoulder, Arm, and Hand scores, visual analog pain scores, and a visual analog scale assessing appearance, function, hygiene, ease of daily care, pain, and overall satisfaction. RESULTS There was 100% union rate with 1 postarthrodesis complication. One patient required wrist fusion plate removal because of painful hardware. Subjective patient assessments showed a statistically significant (P < .001) improvement in Disabilities of the Shoulder, Arm, and Hand scores (from 51 to 28) and pain scores (from 5.3 to 3.2) before and after arthrodeses. The visual analog questionnaire results revealed improvements in appearance, function, daily cares, hygiene, pain, and satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS Wrist arthrodesis, first carpometacarpal joint arthrodesis, and thumb interphalangeal joint arthrodesis had high union rates with minimal complications. Patients benefited from the improved function of their upper extremities and were satisfied with the surgery. The use of wrist, first carpometacarpal joint, and thumb interphalangeal joint arthrodeses in combination should be considered one of the reconstructive possibilities for patients with complete or nearly complete brachial plexus injuries.

Revascularization procedures for Kienböck disease.

The goals of treatment in Kienböck disease include preservation of wrist function, maintaining normal wrist kinematics, and revascularization of the necrotic lunate when and if possible. A variety of pedicled vascularized bone graft options exist and include but are not limited to pedicled grafts from the volar radius, dorsal radius, metacarpal heads or bases, and pisiform. Of the various treatment options, pedicled vascularized bone grafts from the dorsal distal radius based on the fourth and fifth extensor compartment arteries has been successful in the revascularization of the necrotic lunate at our institution. Vascularized bone grafting is an attractive alternative to conventional bone grafting by improving the local biological environment and thereby promoting revascularization. Recent advances in the anatomy and physiology of vascularized pedicled bone grafts have increased our ability to apply them to the treatment of Kienböck disease. The purpose of this article is to describe the various types of pedicled vascularized bone graft available, to detail the vascular anatomy of the dorsal distal radius, and to describe the surgical technique of our preferred vascularized bone graft (the fourth+fifth extensor compartment artery graft). In addition, the indications, contraindications, and outcomes are described.

Recurrent Calcifying Aponeurotic Fibroma of the Thumb: Case Report

We present an unusual case report of an aggressive, recurrent calcifying aponeurotic fibroma of the thumb in an adult man with invasion into the distal and proximal phalanges, the skin, the radial and ulnar neurovascular bundles, and the tendons, treated with amputation and an immediate toe-to-thumb transfer.

Excision With Interpositional Nerve Grafting: An Alternative Technique for the Treatment of Morton Neuroma.

Introduction“Morton neuroma” is a common cause of forefoot pain with numbness frequently occurring in the distribution of the third common digital nerve. After the failure of nonoperative measures, decompression with excision of the neuroma is common practice. Residual numbness and recurrent pain has been reported as a consequence of this treatment option. This study describes excision of the neuroma with interpositional nerve grafting as a treatment option for Morton neuroma. This proposed technique has the benefit of reducing pain, reducing recurrent secondary neuromas and restoring postexcision sensory deficits. MethodsA retrospective chart review of patients who underwent elective primary excision of a Morton neuroma with interpositional nerve grafting was undertaken. Patient demographics, surgical technique, and clinical outcomes, such as pain, neuroma recurrence, 2-point discrimination, numbness, and weight-bearing status at minimum of 1 year postoperation, are reported. ResultsEight patients (9 neuromas) underwent excision of the Morton neuroma with interpositional nerve grafting after failing nonoperative measures. At final follow-up, all patients had improvement of pain and there were no neuroma recurrences. Sensation to the grafted hemi-toe returned in all but 1 case. All patients returned to full weight-bearing status. Although no major complications were reported, wound dehiscence secondary to a hematoma occurred in 1 case. ConclusionsExcision and interpositional nerve grafting is an effective treatment for Morton neuroma as it alleviates pain, numbness and restores sensation with minimal morbidity and complications.