Toshihiko Ogino

Effect of the immunological antigenicity of the allogeneic tendons on tendon grafting

The authors have investigated the immunological rejection responses against allogeneic tendon tissue using two strains of inbred rats. A complement dependent cytotoxicity test and an absorbing test were used. The results indicate that the rat tendon tissue contained major histo-compatibility antigens, that this was largely present in tendon cell components, and that collagen showed little or no response.

Teratogenic relationship between polydactyly, syndactyly and cleft hand

Several investigators have suggested that polydactyly, syndactyly and cleft hand might have arisen from a common teratogenic mechanism. To confirm this hypothesis, 75 hands with these anomalies were analysed. Advanced cases with central polydactyly or osseous syndactyly in which the fusion area extends as far as the proximal phalanx and metacarpus are identical to typical cleft hand. The author has induced the same deformities using myleran in rat foetuses. The clinical features of these anomalies in rats were the same as those in clinical cases and the critical periods of these anomalies were also the same. The findings suggest that these hand anomalies may appear in human beings when the same teratogenic factor acts on the embryo at the same developmental period and that they should belong to the same teratogenic entity.

Treatment of distal radioulnar disorders

Twenty-nine wrists of 29 patients were treated with three procedures: distal ulnar resection (Darrachs procedure), distal ulnar recession, or hemiresection-interposition arthroplasty. The indications were pain and limitation of motion associated with primary osteoarthritis of the distal radioulnar joint, derangement after distal forearm bone fracture, Madelungs deformity, and distal radioulnar sprain. The age of the patients averaged 48.3 years. Follow-up averaged 1 year and 9 months. Radiographic evaluations were done preoperatively and postoperatively. Relief of pain was good in the wrists treated by Darrachs procedure; however, diminished grip strength and wrist instability occurred. Relief of pain in the wrists treated by distal ulnar recession and hemiresection-interposition arthroplasty was inferior to that of Darrachs procedure; however, postoperative grip strength increased and wrist instability did not occur.

Congenital radio-ulnar synostosis: compensatory rotation around the wrist and rotation osteotomy

In order to make clear the clinical features of congenital radio-ulnar synostosis, compensatory rotation around the wrist and functional results after rotation osteotomy, 40 cases of congenital radio-ulnar synostosis have been analysed. The mean pronation of the ankylosed forearm in those who complained of disabilities in daily life was 60.7 degrees and that in patients without complaints was 21.2 degrees. In almost all cases with total ankylosis, the forearm had compensatory movement around the wrist, the mean arc being from 76.3 degrees of pronation to 42.9 degrees of supination. 13 limbs in 11 patients treated by transverse rotational osteotomies through the fusion mass have followed up for over two years. The functional results after surgery were satisfactory in all patients. Rotational osteotomy of the forearm is a useful and reliable treatment for congenital radio-ulnar synostosis.

Limited wrist fusions.

Seventeen patients had wrist fusions done for diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist and carpal bones. Arthrodesis was done at the radiocarpal joint in five wrists and at the midcarpal joint in 12. There were 12 men and five women. Ages at the time of operation averaged 42 years. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 5 years and 5 months, and with an average of 1 year and 10 months. Overall postoperative results were excellent in five wrists, good in seven, fair in two, and poor in three. Wrists with the midcarpal fusion fared better than those wrists with the radiocarpal fusion. Complications included one pseudoarthrosis and one rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon. In one of the 17 wrists new osteoarthritic changes surrounding the arthrodesed joints occurred.

Tardy Ulnar Nerve Palsy Caused by Cubitus Varus Deformity

Clinical features and X-rays of thirty-four cases with cubitus varus deformity were analysed in order to explain the occurrence of tardy ulnar nerve palsy caused by cubitus varus deformity. Cubitus varus cases with tardy ulnar nerve palsy, compared to cases without it, were older at the first visit to the clinic for cubitus varus deformity. There were no other differences between the two groups in clinical features. Computed tomography showed that the olecranon moved to the ulnar side against the olecranon fossa. Operative findings showed that the medial head of triceps brachii shifted medially and covered the ulnar nerve. Both from computed tomography and operative findings we conjectured the possibility that tardy ulnar nerve palsy was caused because the ulnar nerve was compressed by the forward medial movement of the medial head of the triceps brachii caused by cubitus varus deformity.

Abductor Digiti Minimi Opponensplasty in Hypoplastic Thumb

Ten cases of hypoplastic thumbs were treated by abductor digiti minimi opponensplasty in order to restore opposition of the thumb and reform the wasted thenar eminence. In eight of these ten cases operations were combined with multiple Z-plasty or rotation flap to correct the narrowing of the first web space. Adductor plasty using extensor indicis proprius was performed in six cases to restore the stability of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb and ligament reconstruction of the carpometacarpal joint in one hand. In all cases, the transferred abductor digiti minimi was strong enough to abduct the thumb and provide good functional and cosmetic results. We modified Littlers procedure by transferring the origins of abductor digiti minimi muscle from the flexor carpi ulnaris to the palmaris longus tendon. Our modified method gave a better cosmetic appearance than that provided by Littlers method.

Congenital Anomalies of the Upper Limb Among the Japanese in Sapporo

Nine hundred and forty three patients with nine hundred and fifty-five congenital upper limb anomalies are classified according to the Swansons classification. Relative incidence of each type of anomaly, sex incidence, affected side, associated abnormalities and familial history are analysed. The occurrence of congenital upper limb anomalies is also compared with Chinese and Western studies. The characteristic feature in this series is that the incidence of typical syndactyly is not as high as expected. Two problems of Swansons classification encountered in this analysis are discussed. One of the problems is the relation between polydactyly, syndactyly and typical cleft hand. The other is the relation between brachysyndactyly, atypical cleft hand and transverse deficiency.

The Dorsal Occult Ganglion of the Wrist and Ultrasonography

In five cases of suspected occult ganglion on the back of the wrist, an ultrasonographic examination was performed. This revealed a small hypoechogenic area on the dorsal aspect between the scaphoid and the lunate or just dorsal to the lunate. Exploration of this area in three cases confirmed the presence of an occult ganglion. In the other two cases, further aspiration revealed traces of mucinous jelly at the tip of the needle.

Congenital Constriction Band Syndrome and Transverse Deficiency

To distinguish the clinical features of amputation due to congenital constriction band syndrome from those of transverse deficiency, 42 cases of constriction band syndrome and 27 cases of transverse deficiency were analysed. All the transverse deficiencies were unilateral. Two cases of transverse deficiency were associated with pectoral muscle absence, whereas amputation from constriction band syndrome was often associated with similar anomalies in other parts of the body. The level of amputation of transverse deficiency was more proximal than that of constriction band syndrome. Rudimentary fingers and/or nails were common in transverse deficiency but there were few in constriction band syndrome. Various degrees of bone hypoplasia existed in adjacent fingers or in a proximal part of the affected limb in transverse deficiency, but there were no such findings in constriction band syndrome.