An anatomical feasibility study using the first metatarsal head as a vascularized bone graft for proximal pole of scaphoid reconstruction.

A cadaveric study showed that vascularized transfer of the articular surface of the ipsilateral first metatarsal head with the lateral collateral ligament could be suitable for reconstruction of the proximal pole of scaphoid and scapholunate ligament. Further study of the technique is recommended.

Topical Negative Pressure Wound Dressing and Its Applications in the Hand-A Review of the Literature.

The use of topical negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become increasingly popular in the management of complex wounds. There are many theories as to the mechanism of action of NPWT, but the essential components of the various systems remain consistent. There are many attractive potential properties of negative pressure dressings that lend themselves to the management of upper limb injuries.

Management of conflict injuries to the upper limb. Part 2: reconstruction and managing complications.

This is the second of a two-part review article on the management of conflict injuries, focused on the reconstructive strategies for bone, nerve and soft tissue and to provide guidance on assessing and managing common complications associated with complex upper limb injuries. Following assessment and early surgical management, the conflict casualty will require further wound evaluation and planning prior to definitive reconstruction of limb injuries. Surgical management of the upper limb injury should aim, where possible, to preserve the limb and allow functional reconstruction.

Clinical outcomes following neurolysis and porcine collagen extracellular matrix wrapping of scarred nerves in revision carpal tunnel decompression.

Scar tether after primary nerve decompression can impair physiological nerve glide and vascularity of the nerve. Revision decompression in the setting of neurostenalgia should address the scarred mesoneurium in order to prevent further entrapment and tether. This study reports on the clinical outcomes of 12 patients with neurostenalgia following carpal tunnel decompression (CTD), treated with revision CTD and a porcine submucosa extracellular matrix nerve wrap (PECM) (Axoguard® nerve protector, Axogen Inc.

Management of conflict injuries to the upper limb. Part 1: assessment and early surgical care.

Upper limb injuries are common in conflict zones. The functions of the upper limb are impossible to replicate with prosthetic replacement and wherever possible attempts should be made to preserve the limb with further secondary reconstruction aimed at restoration of function. Casualty assessment, haemorrhage control and resuscitation are simultaneously undertaken at the receiving medical facility.

Palmaris profundus in the carpal tunnel.

Carpal tunnel release is a routinely performed operation to relieve pressure caused by compression on the median nerve. In the majority of cases, the causation of the compression will be idiopathic. Among the secondary causes of median nerve compression is the palmaris profundus, a rare anatomical variant separate to the palmaris longus tendon.

Service reconfiguration in the department of hand surgery during the UK COVID-19 lockdown: Birmingham experience.

In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the UK and had a major impact on healthcare services. The Birmingham hand centre, one of the largest hand trauma units in the country, underwent a dramatic service reconfiguration to enable robust and safe provision of care that would withstand the peak of the pandemic. Streamlining our service significantly reduced patient footfall and hospital admission while preventing intra-hospital viral transmission.

King cobra bite - Can early decompression prevent digital amputation?

King cobra bites are extremely rare in the western world. These bites can be fatal due to the large volume of the venom injected. We report a case of digital ischaemia from a King cobra bite in a young man who was working in a zoo in Netherlands.

The Versatile Hook Plate in Avulsion Fractures of the Hand.

Unlabelled: Avulsion fractures can pose technical difficulties for surgical fixation. The fragments are often small and around finger joints with access being difficult due to attachment of ligaments or tendons. Traditionally, these have been treated using K wires, lag screws, or pullout sutures.

Stability of Unicortical versus Bicortical Metacarpal Fracture Internal Fixation Trial (SUBMIT): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Metacarpal fractures are common, accounting for 40 % of all hand injuries. The use of plates for the fixation of these fractures allows early aggressive hand therapy post-operatively, reducing post-operative stiffness. Traditionally, bicortical fixation is the standard practice, where both dorsal and palmar cortices of the metacarpal are drilled through, with screws engaging both cortices.

Fasciotomy: a call for proper placement.

Introduction: It is important that acute compartment syndrome is recognised and treated early. Treatment involves surgical decompression and it is imperative that this is performed in a timely and appropriate manner. The knowledge of plastic and orthopaedic surgery trainees of the safe technique for performing lower leg fasciotomy was examined.

Free radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap in the treatment of distal third tibial osteomyelitis.

Background: Osteomyelitis of the lower limb, associated with soft-tissue defects, is a reconstructive challenge. Microvascular free-tissue reconstruction is an important surgical option with the superiority of free muscle and myocutaneous flaps being explored by various publications. Muscle flaps provide good quality vascularized tissue which can be contoured into defects, but their bulk can often lead to the reconstruction having a suboptimal aesthetic outcome.

Management of complex melanomas of head and neck region.

Though many of the melanomas encountered in the head and neck region are amenable to simple excision and direct closure or skin grafts, there is a subset of patients who are deemed complex cases in view of the large size of the tumour, depth of invasion or proximity to aesthetically and functionally important structures. This was a retrospective study which looked at complex melanomas of the head and neck region treated in the last 10 years. There were a total of 19 cases, including four women and 15 men.