Philippe Pelissier

Bone reconstruction of the lower extremity: complications and outcomes.

A study was performed to analyze the results and final outcomes of bone reconstruction of the lower extremity. Twenty-six patients presented with type IIIB open fractures, nine with type IIIC open fractures, and 15 with chronic osteomyelitis. Seven patients underwent primary amputation, and reconstruction was attempted for 43 patients. The mean bone defect size was 7.7 cm (range, 3 to 20 cm). Bone reconstruction was achieved with conventional bone grafts in 16 cases, in association with either local (13 cases) or free (three cases) flaps. Vascularized bone transfer was performed in 24 cases, with either osteocutaneous groin flaps (10 cases), soleus-fibula flaps (12 cases), or osteocutaneous lateral arm flaps (two cases). For three patients, bone reconstruction was performed with a technique that combines the induction of a membrane around a cement spacer with the use of an autologous cancellous bone graft. Infections were observed to be responsible for prolonged hospital stays and treatment failures. The cumulative rates of sepsis were 4.6 percent at 1 week after injury and 62.8 percent at 2 months. Vascular complications were also related to infections and were responsible for four secondary amputations. One patient asked for secondary amputation because of a painful nonfunctional lower limb. Bone healing occurred in 37 of 43 cases, and the average time to union was 9.5 months, with an average of 8.7 procedures. The mean lengths of stay were 49 days for conventional bone grafts and 62 days for vascularized bone grafts. All of the 50 patients were able to walk, with an average time of 14 months. All of the patients with amputations underwent prosthetic rehabilitation. Patients mostly complained about the reconstructed limb (62.8 percent). Joint stiffness was present in 40 percent of the cases. Other long-term complications were pain (nine cases), lack of sensation (five cases), infection (five cases), and pseudarthrosis (one case). However, all of the patients with successful reconstructions preferred their salvaged leg to an amputation. Of 41 patients who were working before the injury, 26 returned to work.

reverse Dorsal Digital and Metacarpal Flaps: A Review of 27 Cases

Reverse dorsal digital and metacarpal flaps use the dorsal skin of the digital or metacarpal areas, and they are based on the arterial branches anastomosing the volar and dorsal arterial networks of the fingers. These flaps are transposed as reverse island flaps. Dissection of the flap is easy, fast, and preserves the collateral nerve and artery to the fingertip. A series of 27 flaps is reviewed, with more than 6 months of follow-up. Skin defects in all patients were located over or beyond the proximal interphalangeal joint as far as the fingertip and were combined with bone, joint, or tendon exposure. The flaps we used were reliable, and a joint or extensor tendon reconstruction could be performed at the same time. Patients were discharged the day after surgery and allowed to mobilize the finger early. No flap necrosis was observed, and donor site morbidity was minimal; primary closure or a skin graft was used in all patients. These flaps combine the advantages of an extended skin paddle and a versatile pivot point on the phalanx, and they allow coverage of wide and distal defects. When conventional local flaps are inadequate, this fast and simple procedure should be considered for its reliability and low associated morbidity.

Influences of vascularization and osteogenic cells on heterotopic bone formation within a madreporic ceramic in rats

Research in biomaterials for bone reconstruction has led to elaborate osteogenic composites that combine porous ceramics with bone marrow stromal cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of direct vascularization of such composites on osteogenesis and the ability to produce a vascularized bone substitute transplant in an ectopic muscular site. Sixty-four coralline biomaterials were implanted in 32 Fisher rats under four conditions: (1) alone (reference group M, n = 16), (2) coated with bone marrow stromal cells (group MC, n = 16), (3) combined with a vascular pedicle (group MV, n = 16), or (4) coated with bone marrow stromal cells and combined with a vascular pedicle (MCV group, n = 16). The number of vessels in the pores (vessel-pore ratio) of the implants and the proportion of pores showing bone ingrowth (bone-pore ratio) were measured at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks on four implants of each group. Compared with the reference group, angiogenesis was higher when the biomaterial was combined with a vascular pedicle or was coated with osteoprogenitor cells. The association of both vascular pedicle and osteoprogenitor cells increased vascularization by 60 percent (p = 0.003) and osteogenesis by 62 percent (p < 0.001). A combination of both vascular pedicle and bone marrow osteoprogenitor cells in coralline implants enhances neovascularization and osteogenesis after implantation in ectopic intramuscular sites to a greater extent than either does alone.

Soleus-fibula free transfer in lower limb reconstruction.

Free-fibula transfer has been widely used since 1975. Many modifications have been described; one of them, association of the lateral part of the soleus muscle to the fibula, is reported here through a 14-case series. This composite flap is intended for extensive defects of the lower limbs involving bone and soft tissues. The flap is considered by the authors to be reliable, with a constant vascularization. A 20-cm length of fibula may be harvested associated either with the lateral part of the soleus muscle or with the whole muscle. Moreover, the soleus muscle represents a vascular security inasmuch as it preserves both medullar and periosteal bone supply. Fourteen cases have been performed by the authors since 1978 and could be reviewed with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Average length of bone defect was 12 cm, and average length of fibula harvested was 18.6 cm. Soft-tissue defect was always associated and ranged from 8 × 4 cm to 20 × 30 cm. The fibula was harvested with the lateral part of the soleus muscle in 10 cases and with the whole soleus muscle in 4 cases. One total treatment failure was reported and was related to intimal degenerative lesions on veins used for arteriovenous bypass. In other patients, mean time for bone healing was 11 months. Patients could walk again, on average, 17 months after reconstruction. Sequelae at the donor site were minimal.

Internal use of n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (Indermil) for wound closure: an experimental study.

n-Butyl 2-cyanoacrylate glue (Indermil) was used for the closure of dorsal wounds on rabbits. A 4-cm-long and 1-cm-wide laceration was created bilaterally on the back of 15 rabbits. One side was closed with absorbable 2-0 subcutaneous sutures and fast absorbable 3-0 skin sutures, whereas the other side was closed with cyanoacrylate glue applied on both deep and superficial tissues. A partial wound dehiscence occurred on the glue side in one animal at 2 weeks. The animal was killed at this time and considered a bad result in the glue group. In all other animals, no seroma, partial dehiscence, or wound infection occurred. Histopathologic analysis revealed that Indermil induced edema and a mild acute inflammatory reaction and resorbed almost completely within 2 months when applied to well-vascularized tissues. The application of glue on the cutaneous wound edges is a fast and easy procedure that does not seem to delay or inhibit the healing process or its quality.

Vascular Blood Supply of the Dorsal Side of the Thumb, First Web and Index Finger: Anatomical Study

Twenty-nine hands were dissected in order to define the dorsal blood supply of the thumb, the first web and the index finger. The main objective was to determine if it is possible to create a local osteocutaneous flap to cover partial and complex tissue defects in the distal part of the thumb. We found that the thumb metacarpal could be used as a donor site in these situations, with either a radiodorsal pedicle or an ulnadorsal pedicle.

Luxations et fractures-luxations périlunaires du carpe, étude rétrospective d’une série de 17 cas

INTRODUCTION The authors present the results of a retrospective series of 17 cases of dislocations or perilunate fracture-dislocations of the carpus, treated in emergency (period of less than 7 days). The objective aim of our study was to evaluate the radioclinical fate prognosis of these lesions pathologies and their social commitment impact. PATIENTS AND METHODS It is a retrospective study covering the period from July 2004 to December 2009 (or 54 months). Were included in the study, patients hospitalised for a pure dislocation or a perilunate fracture-dislocation authenticated confirmed by an x-ray postero-anterior and lateral views were included. The series included 15 men and two women, nine manual workers, with an average age of 38.9 years. Based on Herzberg radiological classification, the series included six pure perilunate dislocations (35%) and 11 fracture-dislocations (59%) including seven forms trans-scapho-perilunate and four fractures of the lower end of radius. On the profile x-ray, 16 of the lesions were posterior displacement, including 12 stages I lesions (lunatum in place under the radius), and four stage II (lunatum dislocated in front of the radius). A patient had an anterior dislocation stage II, associated with a radial styloid fracture. All patients were operated using surgical treatment, percutaneous, either open pit, or open approaches combining with broaching scapholunate, scaphocapitate and triquetrolunate pinning. Then, an immobilization for 6 weeks was put in place and was performed using a forearm cast. Rehabilitation began as early as the removal of osteosynthesis was done at pin removal. RESULTS The average decline follow-up in the series was 26 months. The mean score of Cooney was 63/100. There were two excellent results, two good results, seven middle moderate results, and six bad results. The average Quick-DASH score was 24.6/55 and the PRWE 41/150. The average duration of the work stoppage leave was 8 months, including one retired. The average of flexion-extension arc of the traumatized side was 77% (101°) in comparison to the healthy side. The average strength of the traumatized side was 71% (34kg) in comparison with the healthy side. The average radial-ulnar tilt arc of the traumatized side was 67% (37°) in comparison with the healthy side. DISCUSSION There is no formal radioclinical prognostic in the radioclinic correlation. However, it seems to emerge that the timing and the type of support treatment bear the most important prognostic guarantors of a better result factors. Perilunate fracture-dislocations have major arthrogeneous arthrogenic potential, yet with a despite functional outcome consistent allowing resumption of recovery of past previous activities. It would seem that perilunate fracture-dislocations have a better functional outcome than those of pure dislocations. Thus, this work is the beginning of a long-term study, including a larger number of patients.

Reconstruction of short lower leg stumps with the osteomusculocutaneous latissimus dorsi-rib flap.

&NA; To avoid a more proximal amputation at the distal part of the thigh, and when the knee joint is preserved, it is possible to lengthen short lower leg stumps. The authors report five cases in which the latissimus dorsi‐rib flap was used to achieve a satisfactory functional prosthetic result. The bone segment is long enough to both lengthen the stump and allow its extremities to be firmly fixed to the tibia. Depending on the remaining tibia length, one or two ribs were included in the flap. The procedure allowed achievement of a 5‐cm to 9‐cm lengthening of the tibia. Bone healing time was 5 to 6 months and allowed prosthetic rehabilitation and ambulating 5 to 7 months after surgery. Final range of motion of the knee joint is compatible with normal ambulating, and the prosthesis is well tolerated. This procedure, which provides a large amount of skin, muscle, and bone, is very effective for reconstruction of short lower leg stumps. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 109: 1013, 2002.)

DORSO-ULNAR OSTEOCUTANEOUS REVERSE FLOW FLAP OF THE THUMB

Three cases of distal thumb reconstruction with a reverse pedicled osteocutaneous flap taken from the dorso-ulnar aspect of the first metacarpal are presented. Even though the indications are rare, this flap is useful for the reconstruction of distal osteocutaneous defects of the thumb where more complex procedures are not feasible or considered as excessive.

Atypical squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed with phalangeal involvement.

Abstract We report an atypical presentation of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the distal phalanx of the left thumb. On physical examination, there was no clinical evidence of a local lesion, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple intraosseous cavities filled with fluid. A biopsy specimen showed a well-differentiated SCC, which was treated by amputation of the distal phalanx.