Yuichi Tsuyuguchi

Duplication of the thumb. A retrospective review of two hundred and thirty-seven cases.

Over a twenty-two-year period, 237 patients (261 hands) with duplication of the thumb were seen in the Hand Clinic of Osaka University Hospital. Two groups were identified: Group A, 141 patients without previous surgical treatment, and Group B, ninety-six patients with residual deformity despite previous surgical treatment. Using a modification of Wassels classification, seven types of deformity were defined. In Group A these types were identified on the basis of the observed duplications of bone and soft tissue. In all but ten of the Group-B patients preoperative roentgenograms were not available and the type of deformity had to be deduced from the residual duplicated bone, the surgical scar, and the residual deformity. Surgery, performed on 193 hands (125 in Group A and sixty-eight in Group B), attempted to restore normal anatomical relationships. The results could be evaluated in 130 hands according to the range of motion, joint stability, and alignment of the remaining thumb after an average follow-up of 35.0 months. According to the rating system described, the results were rated as good in 75.5 per cent, fair in 20.2 per cent, and poor in 4.3 per cent of the ninety-four hands in Group-A patients who were followed. In the thirty-six hands of Group-B patients who could be followed, the preoperative and postoperative scores were compared. Thirteen were not improved while the other twenty-three, sixteen improved from fair to good and seven improved from poor to fair, to give a good result in 63.9 per cent of the Group-B patients who were followed. The results in these 130 Group-A and B hands emphasize the importance of providing muscle balance and, in young patients, of performing an arthroplasty of the interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joint when indicated, although arthrodesis was indicated as a salvage operation for Group-B patients who were more than fifteen years old.

Early microsurgical reconstruction in birth palsy.

Most patients with birth palsy can be expected to recover spontaneously. But in some patients the recovery is unsatisfactory and the functional results are disappointing. One possible way to improve the prognosis for such patients is early surgical nerve reconstruction. In six infants, exploration of the brachial plexus was carried out at about six months after delivery, when there were no signs of recovery in shoulder and elbow joint movements. Preoperative metrizamide myelography, computerized tomography with intrathecal metrizamide (CT myelography), and axon reflex test (histamine test) were followed by intraoperative electrophysiologic examinations of root sensory evoked potential (SEP), nerve action potential (NAP), and evoked muscle response (M-response). Microsurgical nerve repair was performed on the basis of intraoperative diagnosis. Metrizamide myelography showed 13% false-positive root avulsion. Reliability of the histamine test was 80%. The intraoperative electro-diagnosis is essential for understanding the actual condition of the brachial plexus lesion and obtaining better results from microsurgical reconstruction in birth palsy. The surgical results, with an average follow-up evaluation of two years and four months, have been encouraging enough to continue this diagnostic and therapeutic program, though its superiority to natural recovery has not yet been clarified.

Operations for forearm deformity caused by multiple osteochondromas

We reviewed 36 cases of forearm deformity caused by multiple osteochondromas in 30 patients and classified them into three types: Type I showed a combination of ulnar shortening and bowing of the radius secondary to osteochondromas of the distal ulna (22 forearms). Type II showed dislocation of the radial head, either with osteochondromas of the proximal radius (Type IIa, two forearms) or secondary to more distal involvement (Type IIb, five forearms). Type III had relative radial shortening due to osteochrondromas at the distal radius (seven forearms). Operations were performed on 16 forearms in 13 patients, with 92% of satisfactory results. For Type I deformity, excision of osteochondromas, immediate ulnar lengthening and corrective osteotomy of the radius are recommended. For Type IIa, excision of the radial head is necessary, and for Type IIb, we advise gradual lengthening of the ulna using an external fixator. Excision of osteochondromas alone gave good results in Type III deformity. Our classification gives a reliable indication of the prognosis and is a guide to the choice of surgical treatment.

Nerve repairs for traumatic brachial plexus palsy with root avulsion

Thirty-six patients with traumatic brachial plexus lesions and root avulsions were treated surgically between 1972 and 1986 and were followed for more than 24 months (average, 42.6 months). Neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve with intercostal nerves or the spinal accessory nerve resulted in satisfactory elbow flexion in 21 of the 33 cases (64%). Combined nerve repairs (i.e., intercostal and spinal accessory neurotization of the terminal branch of the brachial plexus in combination with nerve grafts from the upper spinal nerves of the brachial plexus) created a useful function in at least one functional level of the upper limb for 11 of the 15 cases so treated. Nerve repairs resulted in stability of the shoulder and elbow function controllable with a sensible hand for patients with root avulsion injury of the brachial plexus.

Osteosynthesis for old, established non-union of the lateral condyle of the humerus.

In thirty elbows that had an established non-union of a fracture of the lateral humeral condyle that had occurred more than five years before, treatment consisted of one of three operations: anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve (nine patients), corrective osteotomy of the humerus and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve (four patients), or osteosynthesis of the non-union combined with neurolysis and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve, with or without corrective osteotomy of the humerus (seventeen patients). Of the thirty patients, fifteen had been apprehensive when using the elbow, due to lateral instability, or had had pain in the elbow. In thirteen of these fifteen patients, the non-union was treated by osteosynthesis. Afterward, the pain and apprehension disappeared, but the range of motion of the elbow decreased in all but three patients. Three patients had clicking between the humerus and radius, and the bone failed to unite in three others. Osteosynthesis is indicated for the treatment of non-union of the lateral humeral condyle only if the patient has serious pain in the elbow or apprehension when using the elbow, due to lateral instability.

Anterior Wedge-Shaped Bone Graft for Old Scaphoid Fractures or Non-Unions An Analysis of Relevant Carpal Alignment

For appraisal of anterior wedge-shaped grafts for the humpback deformity of the scaphoid, a retrospective study of 27 cases with old scaphoid fractures or non-unions was carried out. 11 cases were treated with Herbert screw fixation and anterior wedge-shaped graft and the other cases with other methods. For the assessment of carpal alignment, radio-lunate and scapho-lunate angles were measured with peri-operative radiographs. For the clinical assessment, the scoring system of Cooney was applied. In 25 cases, primary bone union was obtained with one attempt and in two cases, with the second operation. Union was achieved in a mean of 3.4 months. The post-operative wrist score ranged from 65 to 100 with an average 81.2 points. There was a statistically significant relationship between the wrist score and the post-operative scapho-lunate angulation of the affected wrist. The humpback deformity of scaphoid non-union should be treated precisely with carpal realignment surgery or anterior wedge-shaped bone graft.

Congenital clasped thumb: A review of forty-three cases

Over a 10-year period, 43 patients (75 hands) with congenital clasped thumb were seen in our institution. Three groups were identified: group I, 14 patients (24 hands) without contracture; group II, 14 patients (21 hands) with contractures of the palmar side; and group III, 15 patients (30 hands) with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Forty-two hands were treated with splinting alone and 16 hands with surgery. The remaining 17 hands were followed conservatively without splinting or surgery. The mean follow-up was 32 months. The results were evaluated by active abduction of the carpometacarpal joint and extension of metacarpophalangeal joint. All patients in group I showed good response to splinting, and the cause of the deformity appeared to be the predominance of the flexor muscles. In groups II and III, 10 patients (16 hands) who had severe deformity or no response to splinting were treated by release of the palmar soft tissues, skin grafts, and reconstruction of the extensors. Satisfactory results were obtained in 12 of 16 hands.

Treatment of preaxial polydactyly of the foot

Fourteen patients with preaxial polydactyly are classified into four types according to their morphologic configuration: type 1--ray duplication; type 2--completely duplicated phalanges; type 3--incompletely duplicated metatarsals; and type 4--incompletely duplicated phalanges. The surgical treatment and timing thereof appropriate for each group are discussed. Three cases of congenital hallux varus deformity are analyzed, focusing on the pathomechanism of this disorder. Based on our experience, two main factors are noticed in the etiology of congenital hallux varus deformity: inadequacy of the adductor hallucis and tightening of the fibrous band pulling the big toe into the varus.

Birth palsy: natural recovery course and combined root avulsion.

Seventy-six patients with birth palsy were reviewed for type of palsy and mode of delivery. High incidences of root avulsion associated with lesser birth weight were identified in patients of breech deliveries. In 15 patients with serial neurological assessment for more than 5 years, the natural recovery course was evaluated, based on the assessment of particular key muscle and dermatomes mainly innervated by single nerve roots. Rapid and useful motor recovery was observed in upper-type palsy and the upper root levels (C5 and C6) of whole-type palsy, while poor prognosis of motor function was demonstrated in the lower root levels (C8 and Dl) of whole-type palsy. Recovery of sensory function was far more predominant than recovery of motor function. Of 12 patients with root avulsion, 10 patients (27 avulsed roots) over 5 years of age were neurologically assessed. Of avulsed roots, 70.4% had useful sensory recovery and 33.3% had useful motor recovery. The patho-mechanism of those with a good prognosis in root avulsion of birth palsy is discussed, based on the findings of this series.

Melorheostosis of the upper limb: A report of two cases

The etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of two cases of melorheostosis are reported. The hyperostotic lesion corresponded well with both C7 and C8 segments of a sclerotome. The accompanying subcutaneous tumors in case 1 originated from the medical cutaneous nerve of the forearm, whose axons were coming mainly from the C8 dorsal root ganglion. These findings strongly suggest that the primary disorder exists in sensory nerves. Pain originating from the hyperostosis could be suppressed by the disodium salt of (1-hydroxyethylidene) diphosphonic acid.