The prevalence and characteristics of nerve compression symptoms in the general population.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence and intensity of nerve compression symptoms and to estimate the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the general population. A survey that included the Katz hand diagram, the Carpal Tunnel Instrument (CTI), and the Short Form-36 questionnaire was sent to 1,559 people. A short telephone survey was conducted to a random sample of 110 nonresponders to determine if they were systematically different from the responders.

Blood flow in a chronic entrapment neuropathy model in the rabbit sciatic nerve.

A model of chronic entrapment neuropathy in the rabbit sciatic nerve was developed to try to elucidate the pathogenesis of chronic nerve entrapment. A non-compressive Silastic cuff was wrapped around the nerve at the mid-thigh level in eight rabbits. A sham operation that only elevated the sciatic nerve was performed in seven control rabbits.

Ischemic preconditioning versus intermittent reperfusion to improve blood flow to a vascular isolated skeletal muscle flap of rats.

Objectives: We investigated whether intermittent restoration of blood flow just before reperfusion after ischemia could create beneficial effects similar to ischemic preconditioning, which involves intermittent stoppage of blood flow just before ischemia.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared with vascular isolated cremaster muscles, then subjected to 4 hours of ischemia and 60 minutes of reperfusion. Arteriole diameters and capillary perfusion were measured by using intravital microscopy.

Single pedicle vascularized double joint transfer: anatomic study of two models.

This study examined the anatomic structures that communicate between the tibial and fibular digital arteries of the second toe at the distal phalanx to identify a channel for retrograde blood flow from the dominant pedicle to the distal joint flap. We also assessed the feasibility of two models designed to mobilize toe joints to perform single pedicle vascularized double-joint transfer. The continuity of the vascular pathway in both models was demonstrated by microfil injection and angiographic study.

Major replantation versus revision amputation and prosthetic fitting in the upper extremity: a late functional outcomes study.

The functional outcomes of amputated arms that were either replanted or had a prosthesis were compared. In addition, factors that influenced the functional outcome of replants were evaluated. The Carroll test was used to evaluate functional capacity of 22 successful upper extremity replantations at or proximal to the wrist as well as 22 amputees (at similar levels) fitted with a variety of prosthetic devices.