Distraction lengthening of the proximal phalanx in distal thumb amputations (original) (raw)
Related papers
2013
Amputation at the proximal phalanx or at the metacarpophalangeal joint can be treated by pollicization of a finger, osteoplastic reconstruction, free microvascular transfer of a toe, or distraction lengthening. The best technique to use to treat these cases depends on the place of amputation and the patient's age, sex, occupation and functional demands. In the past 6 years, we treated 4 patients by lengthening the thumb metacarpal ray and adding a mini wraparound flap from the great toe. All the subjects were female with an average age of 22 years. All 4 patients had sustained traumatic amputations: 2 at the metacarpophalangeal joint and 2 at the base of the proximal phalanx. Distraction was completed approximately 65 days after osteotomy, obtaining an average lengthening of 23 mm. To achieve bone consolidation, the lengthener was left in place for 127 days on average. Microsurgical thumb reconstruction was performed around 3 months after consolidation of the osteotomy. There were no failures or cases of postoperative vascular compromise. The average pinch power was 66% of the opposite hand. The static 2-point discrimination of the reconstructed thumb was 8 mm (range, 7-10 mm). All patients reported being satisfied with the treatment, although 1 patient was partially dissatisfied due to the prolonged length of the treatment. Donor site morbidity was minimal. This procedure is mainly chosen by selected patients who refuse standard microsurgical thumb reconstruction because it requires a longer treatment period
[Lengthening of the phalanges by callus distraction in traumatic amputations of the fingers]
Acta Orthopaedica Et Traumatologica Turcica, 2004
and Tr a u m a t o l o g y Objectives: We evaluated the results of lengthening of the phalanges by callus distraction in traumatic amputations of the fingers. Methods: We treated traumatic amputations of 16 fingers of 13 male patients (mean age 27.7 years; range 12 to 43 years) by callotasis of the phalanges. Callus distraction was performed with a rate of 1 mm/day using a unilateral dynamic external fixation device. The mean follow-up period was 42 months (range 12 to 80 months). Resu l t s : The mean lengthening was 24 mm (range 18 to 26 mm) and 21 mm (range 18 to 26 mm) for the thumbs and the other fingers, respectively. The achieved thumb length provided adequate depth and width of the first web space and enabled functional improvement in the ability of gripping, and pulp-to-pulp and pulp-to-side pinching. In the absence of flexor pollicis longus, the mean strength of the thumbs was 7 kg (range 5 to 9 kg), amounting to 65% of the normal side. Lengthening of the other fingers resulted in improved functioning of the hand. The mean healing index (number of months per centimetre of lengthening) was 1.7 months/cm (range 1.6 to 2.1 months/cm) and 1.6 months/cm (range 1.4 to 1.9 months/cm) in the thumbs and the other fingers, respect i v e l y. Pin tract infections were observed in four phalanges. Conclusion: Callotasis of the proximal phalanx of the thumb is an effective reconstruction method to compensate for the loss of distal phalanx and to alleviate functional problems due to shortness. It may also be applied to the phalanges of the other fingers in patients who do not accept ray resection with or without transposition.
Military Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal of Serbia, 2018
Background/Aim. A great number of syndactyly release techniques have been described over last two centuries. The aim of our study is outcome assessment of congenital syndactyly surgery using temporary tissue expansion of the dorsal hand and local flaps, without skin grafts. Methods. This study included children with congenital hand syndactyly treated in period from 2009-2015 by operative technique with temporary tissue expansion of the dorsal hand skin and local flaps, without skin grafting. In all cases surgery was performed under general anesthesia. According to Weber's descriptive method, the functional outcome at the end of the follow-up period was categorized as good, fair or bad. All patients were evaluated for associated anomalies. Results. A total of 26 children (20 males, 6 females), aged from 6 months to 6 years (average age of 23 months), were operated by previously described technique. There were 20 patients with complete syndactyly and 6 with incomplete, mostly involving the third web. Associated anomalies were diagnosed in 9 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 5 years with average duration of 2.6 years. The functional results were good in 20 patients, fair in 5 and bad in 1 patient. Conclusion. Surgical procedure with temporary tissue expansion of the dorsal hand skin and local flaps, without skin grafting is effective method of congenital syndactyly treatment in children with good functional and aesthetic results. The advantages of this technique are the reduction of surgery duration and avoiding certain complications, such as web hair growth, hyperpigmentation and hypertrophic scars.
Functional and subjective results of 20 thumb replantations
The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the results of 20 thumb replantations with special and exhaustive attention on functional outcomes. Twenty patients with traumatic thumb amputation were enrolled in the study. Range of motion, grip strength, sensory recovery, and subjective perception of overall hand function recovery were measured. The average age at the time of surgery was 35 years (range, 13–73 years). The mean follow-up was 3.25 years (range, 1.9–10.25 years). The long-term results of thumb replantation confirmed satisfactory outcomes in terms of general upper limb function, handgrip and pinch strength, and social and work reintegration. Sensory recovery remained unsatisfactory despite the fact that we did not need to perform any kind of revision surgery as a consequence of inadequate thumb sensibility. For the first time in the existing literature, no functional parameter that contributes to the assessment of the function of replanted thumbs has been excluded. We resume in the same study the analysis of all functional parameters that are useful to define results of thumb replantation.
Hand, 2018
Background: Index finger (IF) pollicization is the standard treatment for severe congenital thumb hypoplasia. The procedure requires a supple and anatomically normal IF. No guidelines exist for IF pollicization in patients who have concomitantly underdeveloped IF, specifically when the digit has only 2 phalanges and 1 interphalangeal joint. Methods: We present a case of a 20-month-old boy with congenital type IV thumb hypoplasia who also had biphalangeal IF. We proposed an IF pollicization operation that required significant modifications to the traditional procedure. Results: Preoperative planning and intraoperative execution are described. The modifications to the traditional procedure included: (1) removal of proximal third of IF metacarpal; (2) creation of a de novo thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint by fibrous union whereby the IF CMC joint cartilaginous components are maintained and the remaining distal IF metacarpal is translocated down and secured to this cartilage (in contrast to the traditional use of IF metacarpophalangeal joint as a de novo thumb CMC joint); (3) preservation of IF joints at their "natural" position and function; (4) maintenance of intrinsic muscles at their original distal insertion sites; and (5) important adjustments to skin incision. Conclusions: Pollicization of biphalangeal IF can be executed in a safe and efficient manner. Early recovery has shown promising signs. Long-term results, including the de novo thumb CMC joint function, remain to be evaluated.
Finger Replantation, Good and Bad Results
Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery, 2014
There are different causes for finger amputation. Causes are starting from clean cut amputation up to avulsion. There are many factors affecting the results of finger replantation, as cause of injury, age of the patient, level of amputation, time passed after injury, methods for preservation of the amputated part, trained surgeons, and surgical equipments. Other factors affect the results of finger replantation are number of digital amputation, surgeon comfortability, and patient cooperation. This study included 38 patients presented by amputation of 57 fingers. The average age was 23 years old. The main cause was machine injury. The dominant hand was the right hand. The dominant finger was the thumb. The level of injury was proximal to the proximal interphalangeal joint in most of cases. The average time passed between injury and replantation was 2 hours. The average time of surgery for one digit replantation was 4 hours. The principles of treatment was exploration of the neurovascular and tendons in the amputated digit initially then that of the stump. The order of treatment was bone fixation by 2 kirschner wire, digital artery, digital vein, flexor tendon, digital nerve, extensor tendon. Skin closure should be loose. The average follow up was 58 months. All fingers have been survived except five. The average time for bone union was 8 weeks. According to Chen's criteria, the overall results were classified as grade I (excellent) in 20 cases, grade II (good) in 16 cases and grade III (fair) in 2 cases. The tendon function was excellent in 20 fingers, good in 26 fingers fair in 3 fingers, poor in 2 fingers and failure in 6 fingers. The 2 point discrimination was 6 mm in 9 fingers, 7-10 mm in 29 fingers, and 12-15 mm in 13 fingers. The mean grip and pinch strengths were 80 % and 85% respectively compared to contralateral hand. All of patient had returned to their normal daily activities. Finally, finger replantation is not an easy job and it is considered as challenging procedure even for the specialist. I think that many factors affecting the results of finger replantation have not been discovered yet.
The Journal of Hand Surgery, 2006
To compare the functional outcome of successful microsurgical replantation versus amputation closure for single fingertip amputations. Methods: Forty-six fingertip amputations in 46 patients (23 were replanted successfully, 23 had amputation closure) were included in this study. Thumb amputations were excluded. Grip strength and active range of motion of the proximal interphalangeal joint were evaluated. The patients were questioned about their symptoms of pain, paresthesia, and cold intolerance. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire was given and the disability/symptom score was evaluated. Patients' satisfaction with the surgical result was assessed. Time spent in the hospital and time off from work were reviewed. Results: Active range of motion of the proximal interphalangeal joint was greater in the successful replantation group. Although the existence of paresthesia and cold intolerance were not statistically different between the 2 groups, pain in the affected fingers was more frequent in the amputation closure group. The average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score of the successful replantation group was statistically better. All patients in the successful replantation group were highly or fairly satisfied with the surgical results, whereas 14 patients in the amputation closure group were highly or fairly satisfied. The time spent in the hospital and the time off from work for the successful replantation group were longer. Conclusions: Successful replantation of single fingertip amputations can result in minimal pain, better functional outcome, better appearance, and higher patient satisfaction. We recommend attempting fingertip replantation not only to obtain the best appearance but also to gain better functional outcome. If the patient requests the simple surgery and earlier return to work amputation closure is an accepted method despite the disadvantage of digital shortening and the risk for a painful stump. (J Hand Surg 2006;31A:811-818.
Distraction Osteogenesis for Correction of Distal Radius Deformity After Physeal Arrest
The Journal of Hand Surgery, 2009
Purpose To present intermediate-term follow-up for pediatric patients following correction of forearm deformity with the use of distraction osteogenesis after distal radius physeal arrest in the setting of trauma. Methods Retrospective review of a single surgeon's experience using a circular external fixator to correct forearm deformity in four patients whose average age at time of application was 13.8 years. All patients were evaluated clinically with radiographs, physical examination, and functional outcome assessments including the Short-Form 12, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, and Mayo Wrist score. Results At the time of intermediate-term follow-up, at a mean of 112 months, all patients were nearly pain free (average visual analog scale of 1). All were willing to undergo the same treatment again. Wrist flexion increased 11°, extension decreased 2°, radial deviation decreased 14°, ulnar deviation increased 7°, and pronation and supination both decreased 5°o n average. The radius was lengthened an average of 7 mm, with an average preoperative ulnar variance of ϩ7 mm and an average postoperative ulnar variance of ϩ1 mm. Mean outcome scores were as follows: Short-Form 12 was 82, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand was 11, and Mayo Wrist was 76. Three of four patients experienced treatmentrelated complications, whereas two of four required unplanned returns to the operating room. Conclusions The use of distraction osteogenesis is a reasonable alternative to osteotomy, bone grafting, and internal fixation in pediatric patients with severe forearm deformity and dysfunction after physeal arrest in the setting of trauma. This procedure is burdened with complications and requires a committed patient and surgeon. It provides good correction of deformity and relief of pain, and maintains functional range of motion while avoiding the use of permanent orthopedic implants.
Index finger lengthening by gradual distraction and bone grafting
The Journal of Hand Surgery: Journal of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand, 1998
We present the case of an 18-year-old woman with a shortened right index finger. The digit was stabilized and lengthened a total of 18 mm by external fixation and iliac bone grafting. A distal interphalangeal fixed flexion deformity of 60 ° was corrected with external fixation and intermedullary wiring.