Luigi Tarallo

Hand reconstruction using the thin anterolateral thigh flap.

Background: Perforator flaps have been introduced for various kinds of reconstruction and resurfacing; in particular, the free thin anterolateral thigh flap is becoming one of the most preferred options for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects. Methods: Between 1999 and 2002, the authors used this flap as a free flap for nine cases for covering hand defects after burn, crushing injuries, or severe scar contracture release. There were eight men and one woman, the mean age of the patients was 31 years, and the size of the flaps ranged from 7 × 3.5 cm to 15 × 9 cm; thinning was performed in all flaps. Results: All flaps survived completely, and the donor site was closed directly in seven cases; in two cases, the exposed muscle was covered with split-thickness skin graft. Conclusions: The anterolateral thigh flap was thin enough for defects on the dorsum and/or palm of the hand and for first web reconstruction after scar contracture release. It has many advantages in free flap surgery including a long pedicle with a suitable vessel diameter, and the donor-site morbidity is acceptable. The thin anterolateral thigh flap is a versatile soft-tissue flap that achieves good hand contour with low donor-site morbidity.

Volar plate fixation for the treatment of distal radius fractures: analysis of adverse events.

Objectives: Determining the rate of specific adverse events after volar plating performed for distal radius fractures. Design: Retrospective. Setting: University level I trauma center. Patients: We searched the electronic database of all surgical procedures performed in our department using the following keywords: distal radius fracture, wrist fracture, and plate fixation. We identified 315 patients, 12 of whom were lost at follow-up. Intervention: Volar plate fixation for the treatment of distal radius fractures. Main Outcome Measurements: At an average follow-up of 5 years, 303 patients were evaluated through medical records and clinical and radiographic assessment for specific adverse events after volar plate fixation. Results: Adverse events were observed in 18 patients (5.9%). Implant-related adverse events, including tendon impairments, intra-articular screws, and screw loosening, were observed in 15 patients (5.0%). Extensor tendon impairments were represented by 5 cases of extensor tenosynovitis and 3 cases of rupture of the extensor pollicis longus due to screws protruding dorsally. Flexor impairments were represented by 2 cases of tenosynovitis and 2 cases of flexor pollicis longus rupture. Screw penetration into the radioulnar joint was observed in 1 case. Loss of reduction was identified in 3 cases. One patient had a deep postoperative infection treated with operative debridement. One patient experienced injury to the median nerve during routine implant removal unrelated to tendon issues. Conclusions: The majority of adverse events after volar plate fixation were due to technical errors in implant placement. In our cohort, tendon impairments were the most frequently observed; among these, extensor tendon impairments were the most represented (50% of all adverse events). All 12 tendon-related adverse events were due to technical shortcomings with implant placement. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Schwannomas of the upper extremity: Diagnosis and treatment

Schwannomas are the most common benign tumors developing in peripheral nerves. They account for 5% of all tumors in upper extremity. They usually present as a slow-growing mass, sometimes associated to pain and paresthesia. Preoperative evaluation is based on US and MRI, but final diagnosis requires histopathology. The aim of this study is to define clinical findings and MRI characteristics in identification, localization, and possible differential diagnosis of schwannomas.

Long-term results of replantation for complete ring avulsion amputations.

Ring avulsion injuries have long presented complex management problems. Despite microsurgical advances, it is difficult to achieve good functional results in complete degloving injuries or amputations, and their management remains somewhat controversial. Ten patients with class IV injuries according to Kay’s classification were treated from 1986 to 2000. In this study the authors subdivided class IV injuries into those with amputation distal to the insertion of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon (class IVd, 5 cases); those with amputation proximal to the insertion of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon (class IVp, 3 cases); and complete degloving injuries leaving the tendons intact (class IVi, 2 cases). Replantation was done in class IVi and class IVd injuries, and 6 cases were revascularized successfully. In all these patients range of motion was complete at the metacarpal and proximal interphalangeal joints, but reestablishing sensibility was more difficult. Patients with class IVp injuries were treated by surgical amputation of the digit. Modifications of Kay’s classification system based on anatomic injury is more predictive of functional outcome for completely amputated ring avulsion injuries. The authors conclude that complete ring avulsion amputations are salvageable, with acceptable functional results in select patients.

Management of neuromas in continuity of the median nerve with the pronator quadratus muscle flap.

Treatment of painful neuromas in continuity of the median nerve at the wrist level is a challenging problem. Nine median nerve neuromas were covered with the pronator quadratus muscle preelevated as an island flap. Patients were followed for 10 to 60 months after surgery. Results showed a marked improvement in terms of symptoms in all patients. In particular, 6 patients had complete pain relief and 3 patients complained of mild intermittent pain.

The reverse heterodigital neurovascular island flap for digital pulp reconstruction.

A heterodigital neurovascular reverse-flow flap island flap for extensive pulp defects is described. A dorsolateral flap from the middle phalanx, based on the digital artery, is harvested from the adjacent uninjured finger. The common digital artery between the injured finger and the donor finger is ligated and transected just before its bifurcation. At this point the 2 converging branches of the digital arteries can be entirely mobilized as a continuous vascular pedicle for the flap. The vascularization is now supplied by reverse flow through the proximal transverse digital palmar arch of the injured finger; to provide sensation, the dorsal branch of the digital nerve from the donor finger must be included in the flap. This technique is indicated for large pulp defects with bone exposure of index and middle finger pulps, which are important for sensation.

Nail lengthening and fingertip amputations.

Fingertip injuries can be treated in different ways, including shortening with primary closure, skin grafts, and local or distant flaps. Nail bed involvement complicates fingertip reconstruction and may influence the choice of treatment. Local flaps can usually replace the pulp and provide a satisfactory functional and aesthetic result, whereas reconstruction of the fingernail apparatus is more difficult. In the period between 1998 and 2001, 12 fingertip injuries with nail bed involvement were treated with a combination of local flaps (Tranquilli-Leali and Venkataswami flaps) and the eponychial flap. The eponychial flap described by Bakhach is a backward cutaneous translation flap that lengthens the nail plate and restores a good appearance of the nail apparatus. This technique is simple to use and can be used with different flaps for pulp reconstruction.

Results of Replantation of 33 Ring Avulsion Amputations

PURPOSE Despite microsurgical advances, it is still difficult to achieve satisfactory functional results in cases of replantations following complete ring avulsion amputations. Our aim is to report the experience we have collected since the early 1990s in the treatment of this type of injury. METHODS We replanted 33 fingers on 33 patients (age, 15-54 y) with complete ring avulsion amputation injuries. Twenty-eight amputations were distal to the insertion of the flexor digitorum superficialis, and 5 were complete degloving injuries with intact tendons. Vascular transpositions and vein grafts were used, and in all cases, only 1 of the digital nerves was repaired. RESULTS The 29 successful cases were tracked over an average follow-up of 89 months. The average total active motion of the reconstructed finger was 185°. Sensibility evaluated by static 2-point discrimination varied from 9 to 15 mm and by moving 2-point discrimination from 8 to 15 mm. Five patients complained of cold intolerance. CONCLUSIONS Resection of the avulsed digital artery and vein is the most crucial part of the procedure.Vessels reconstruction can be performed using various methods, but vessel transfers from the middle finger appear to be the most reliable solution. The outcome of the cases demonstrates that replantation should be attempted. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic IV.

Reconstruction of posttraumatic bone defects of the humerus with vascularized fibular graft.

Humeral nonunions still present a challenge to the orthopedic surgeon. Many methods of treating recalcitrant, posttraumatic humeral shaft nonunions have been described, with varying degrees of success. The present report reviews our experience with the use of vascularized fibular grafting for the treatment of large humeral defects. We treated 13 patients, with an average length of the humeral defect of 10.5 cm. Nine patients healed primarily, 3 required additional bone grafting, and 1 had a second fibular transplant. The mean period to radiographic bone union was 6 months. Only 5 patients regained full range of motion of the shoulder and elbow. The vascularized fibular graft is a reliable reconstructive procedure for recalcitrant pseudoarthrosis of the humerus in which the bony gap is greater than 6 to 7 cm, especially when traditional procedures have not provided the expected result.

Island radial artery fasciotendinous flap for dorsal hand reconstruction.

The authors report a one-stage repair for a dorsal hand injury that involves the loss of skin and tendons. The injury was repaired using an island radial artery flap complete with fascia and tendons, leaving the forearm skin behind. The functional and aesthetic results are excellent, and there was minimal donor site morbidity.