The results of pollicization for congenital thumb hypoplasia.

We assessed pollicizations performed by one surgeon; compared function of the pollicized digit in patients with and without forearm/wrist anomalies; and determined if hand function changed with age. A total of 42 hands were assessed an average of 5.7 years post-operatively, 21 with a forearm/wrist anomaly (Group 1) and 21 without (Group 2).

Animal-assisted therapy for dementia: a review of the literature.

Background: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is gaining popularity as part of therapy programs in residential aged care facilities. Humans and pet dogs respond to quiet interaction with a lowering of blood pressure and an increase in neurochemicals associated with relaxation and bonding. These effects may be of benefit in ameliorating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Adhesion formation after flexor tendon repair: comparison of two- and four-strand repair without epitendinous suture.

Increased handling, increased bulk at the repair site and an increase in external suture material may affect adhesion formation and gliding after tendon repair. A previous study(1) showed no significant difference in biomechanical or histopathological measurement of adhesion formation in two- and four-strand repairs combined with an epitendinous suture in the chicken model. In the present study, the flexor digitorum profundus tendon of the middle toe of 47 broiler chickens was cut and repaired with either a single (two-strand) or double (four-strand) modified Kessler core suture without epitendinous suture and immobilised for four weeks.

Long term follow-up of composite non-vascularized toe phalanx transfers for aphalangia.

The results of 21 non-vascularized toe phalanx transfers in 13 patients were reviewed radiologically with respect to function, physeal patency, growth and donor site morbidity at a mean follow-up of 7.4 (range 2.9-13.

Adhesion formation after flexor tendon repair: a histologic and biomechanical comparison of 2- and 4-strand repairs in a chicken model.

Purpose: Both increased handling and increased bulk at the repair site have been hypothesized as affecting adhesion formation and gliding after tendon repair. Tendons repaired with 2- and 4-strand techniques were compared using both biomechanical and histopathologic measurements to determine the influence of increasing strand number on adhesion formation and gliding.

Methods: The flexor digitorum profundus tendon of the right middle toe of 80 broiler chickens was cut and then repaired with either a single (2-strand) or double (4-strand) modified Kessler core suture, followed by a running epitendinous suture.

The role of biofilm formation in percutaneous Kirschner-wire fixation of radial fractures.

This study examines the formation of bacterial biofilms on percutaneous wires used for fracture fixation. Twelve control (clinically uninfected) wires and ten infected wires were collected and examined using broth culture and scanning electron microscopy. Three of the 12 control wires grew Staphylococcus spp.

Proximal scaphoid nonunion-osteosynthesis.

Proximal pole fractures of the scaphoid have a high incidence of nonunion and avascular necrosis. Because of their poor prognosis, the treatment of these fractures remains controversial. 102 patients with symptomatic nonunion of the proximal pole were treated by simple osteosynthesis, using retrograde screw fixation through a direct dorsal approach to the scaphoid.

Vein implantation for treatment of painful cutaneous neuromas. A preliminary report.

Based on the theory that recurrent neuroma formation can be prevented if the cut nerve end is implanted into the lumen of a vein, 14 patients have been treated by neuroma excision followed by proximal vein implantation over the last 5 years. Thirteen patients reported dramatic pain relief following surgery, and this was sustained in all but one case. Both failures were re-explored, when it was found that the nerve had pulled out of the vein, leading to recurrent neuroma formation.

The hand and the eye.

A variety of systemic diseases may affect both the hand and eye, leading to profound sensory and functional deficits. The aetiology of some of the most common conditions is reviewed, with an explanation of their manifestations in the hand and eye. Recognition of the association between a hand condition and ocular pathology may aid in diagnosis of a systemic disorder or allow early detection and prevention of ocular disease and loss of vision.

The effect of workers' or third-party compensation on return to work after hand surgery.

Objectives: To investigate the role of compensation in recovery from scaphoid internal fixation.

Design: Retrospective review of patients who had had scaphoid internal fixations performed by one surgeon between 1 September 1981 and 31 December 1994 with a minimum follow-up of six months.

Setting: Private practice of a specialist hand surgeon.

Herbert screw fixation of scaphoid fractures.

We reviewed the records of 431 patients who had open reduction and internal fixation of the scaphoid performed by one surgeon (TJH) over a 13-year period. The Herbert bone screw provided adequate internal fixation without the use of plaster immobilisation, promoting a rapid functional recovery. On average, patients returned to work 4.

Avascular necrosis of the proximal scaphoid after fracture union.

We report four cases of late avascular necrosis (AVN) of the proximal part of the scaphoid following apparent healing of acute scaphoid fractures. One patient had been treated conservatively, by plaster immobilization, and the other three had undergone internal fixation of their acute fractures. The onset of symptoms associated with AVN varied, being as late as 2 years in one patient.

Lipid ingestion from sheep epidermis by Psoroptes ovis (Acari: Psoroptidae).

Skin biopsies from three groups of sheep infested with Psoroptes ovis were cryofixed in liquid nitrogen to preserve outer epidermis with its lipid. From one group of five sheep (Group A), biopsies were taken from relatively healthy skin near the edge of scab lesions where mites had congregated. Frozen vertical sections from these biopsies were stained with Oil Red O and haematoxylin before mounting.

Comparison of cryofixation methods for skin biopsies from sheep infested with Psoroptes ovis (Acari: Psoroptidae).

Two methods of cryofixing skin samples from sheep infested with Psoroptes ovis were compared. In one method the skin biopsy was placed in a capped vial before immersion, while the other allowed direct contact with liquid nitrogen. No statistically significant differences were found between the cryofixation methods with regard to location of P.