Faculty Bibliography

Hand transplantation is a treatment option for complex injuries that leave patients with structural, functional, and aesthetic deficits that cannot be addressed by other means. It is a form of vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA). CTA is the highest rung the reconstructive ladder due to its complex technical and immunologic challenges. Despite completion of the first successful hand transplant in 1999, our understanding of hand transplantation is still evolving. Ongoing research is needed to improve functional outcomes and decrease the morbidity associated with long-term immunosuppression. This review will discuss the current protocols for upper extremity donation, transplant receipt, surgical technique, postoperative rehabilitation and immunosuppression, nerve regeneration, functional outcomes, ethical issues, and financial considerations.

Injuries to the finger extensor apparatus are very common and may produce chronic deformity and loss of function. Diagnosis is contingent on an understanding of the complex anatomy of this region as well as the ability to perform a careful physical examination. Immobilization is usually the most effective treatment of acute problems. Surgery is often necessary for chronic conditions, but the results are much less predictably corrective.

Opposition is not grasp but a preposition for grasp that involves 3 components of thumb movements: abduction, flexion, and pronation. Thumb opposition is usually lost with paralysis of the thenar muscles innervated by the median nerve. Many opposition transfers have been described that differ in the donor tendon, route of transfer, and method of attachment to the thumb. No one transfer is applicable for every clinical condition, and each transfer has its advantages and disadvantages. Many factors must be evaluated to decide if surgery is likely to be beneficial and then decide on the optimum treatment

Benign extraosseous cartilage tumours of the hand and wrist comprise soft tissue chondromas, synovial chondromatosis and tenosynovial chrondromatosis. These tumours can significantly affect patients as they are often painful, functionally limiting and cosmetically displeasing. Although each tumour is generally considered to be a distinct entity, they share radiological and histopathological similarities. Occasionally, all three tumours may be seen in the same patient. This is an important consideration because of the risk of recurrence that may not necessarily occur at the same anatomical site but instead extend to different sites, such as a tendon sheath and/or joint

PURPOSE: The radiographic parameters commonly used for evaluating distal radius fractures are radial length, palmar tilt, radial inclination, and articular congruity. Rotation of the distal fragment is not routinely evaluated after distal radius fractures. The purpose of this study was to define the appearance of distal fragment malrotation on conventional radiographs and to correlate varying degrees of malrotation with the corresponding radiographic findings. METHODS: Six distal radiuses from embalmed cadavers were cut and stabilized in 10 degrees, 20 degrees, and 30 degrees of pronated malrotation. Posteroanterior, lateral, and oblique (45 degrees pronated view) radiographs were taken and radiographic measurements were made of radial length, palmar tilt, radial inclination, and rotation. RESULTS: With malrotation, the visible cortical width of the distal fragment mismatched the visible cortical width of the proximal fragment. This was most evident on the oblique view (p < .05) and measured 2.2 mm for 10 degrees of rotation (standard deviation [SD] 0.6), 3.4 mm for 20 degrees of rotation (SD 0.8), and 5.3 mm for 30 degrees of rotation (SD 2.2). CONCLUSIONS: The radiographic parameter of rotation should be considered when evaluating distal radius fracture reduction. Malrotation is best seen on a 45 degrees oblique pronated radiographic view as a mismatch of the cortical width of the distal fragment compared with the cortical width of the proximal fragment. In the absence of radial shortening, a 5.3-mm mismatch is associated with 30 degrees of malrotation and is the upper limit of acceptability

There are 2 popular methods of repairing flexor tendons to the distal phalanx and attaching a free tendon graft to bone: intraosseous, by implanting the tendon into a bony tunnel, and extraosseous, by suturing the tendon to the cortical surface after elevating the periosteum. An in vivo study was designed to determine whether one method is stronger than the other. The profundus flexor of the third and fourth toes of the hind paw of adult rabbits was divided and reattached to the middle phalanx using either an intraosseous tunnel or an extraosseous suture. Half the rabbits were killed after 3 weeks, the other half after 8 weeks. Repairs were then tested to failure, using an Instron device, and compared with the same tendons in the nonoperated limbs. The repaired tendons demonstrated similar strength 3 weeks and 8 weeks after surgery but were significantly weaker than the nonoperated tendons. The importance of this study is that it gives equal credence to these usual methods of tendon attachment

Cold exposure injuries comprise nonfreezing injuries that include chilblain (aka pernio) and trench, or immersion, foot, as well as freezing injuries that affect core body tissues resulting in hypothermia of peripheral tissues, causing frostnip or frostbite. Frostbite, the most serious peripheral injury, results in tissue necrosis from direct cellular damage and indirect damage secondary to vasospasm and arterial thromboses. The risk of frostbite is influenced by host factors, particularly alcohol use and smoking, and environmental factors, including ambient temperature, duration of exposure, altitude, and wind speed. Rewarming for frostbite should not begin until definitive medical care can be provided to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, as these cause additional tissue necrosis. Rewarming should be rapid and for an affected limb should be performed by submersion in warm water at 104 degrees to 107.6 degrees F (40 degrees to 42 degrees C) for 15 to 30 minutes. Debridement of necrotic tissues is generally delayed until there is a clear demarcation from viable tissues, a process that usually takes from 1 to 3 months from the time of initial exposure. Immediate escharotomy and/or fasciotomy is necessary when circulation is compromised. In addition to the acute injury, frostbite is associated with late sequelae that include altered vasomotor function, neuropathies, joint articular cartilage changes, and, in children, growth defects caused by epiphyseal plate damage