Search

Summary Clinical governance is the structured approach to maintaining and improving the quality of patient care and is a vital part of global surgery. BFIRST and BSSH closely collaborate with local doctors on a number of overseas projects, seeking to strengthen and develop local knowledge and skills, aiming for an independent local practice in reconstructive and upper limb surgery. Thoughts on essential requirements, improvements and pitfalls in the ethical approach to global collaboratives are presented.

This chapter offers a comprehensive overview of the management of pediatric and adult fractures, open and closed. Potential complications and operative options are discussed, if conservative management is not an option, alongside hand therapy rehabilitation.

Aims: The ADS memory staple is the first intramedullary shape device in use for distal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis. We describe our experience of the device used in two hand units Methods: An analysis of 17 consecutive patients undergoing single digit DIPJ arthrodesis using the device between[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 14th Triennial Congress of the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand (IFSSH), 11th Triennial Congress of the International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy (IFSHT), 11th Triennial Congress of the International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy (IFSHT)

Following the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery in 2015, the Global Surgery Fellowships have risen in popularity, advertised as formalized opportunities for surgical trainees who have an interest in international surgical care. There is currently no up-to-date review of all fellowships available and an urgently needed overview of these opportunities is presented, including critical appraisal of their accessibility, funding, and outcomes. Detailed searches were conducted on the web engine Google, using the term “global surgery fellowship” and iterations. From the 547 resulting links, after applying exclusion criteria, 69 relevant fellowships were included in analysis. The majority of fellowships based in the United States (55%) and arranged by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or universities (>70%). Also, 60% of fellowships had a duration of 1 year or longer. Only a quarter of the fellowships was open solely to trainees from low- or middle-income countries (LMIC), with over 80% of these being full funded. But 40% of the fellowships were advertised as open to trainees from any country, though only one-third of these provided full funding. Key themes across the fellowships’ outcomes included “Professional Development,” “Research,” and “LMIC Quality Improvement.” Almost all of the fellowships (95%) stated international travel opportunities. Twelve of the fellowships offered higher degrees, with the most common being a Masters of Public Health. The global distribution of fellowships and reduced funding opportunities for trainees from LMIC limit accessibility of the Global Surgery Fellowships. It is, however, still promising that most of key themes and high rates of international work are in line with The Lancet Commission’s recommendations. This overview of the Global Surgery Fellowships highlights the need for collaboration between institutions and has illustrated points for consideration when introducing new and the value of established fellowships.

This chapter describes the diagnosis, non-surgical treatment, and surgical treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and others.

This chapter offers a comprehensive overview of the management of soft tissue infections of the upper limb, including operative control, antibiotic prophylaxis, and treatment in acute, chronic, and atypical cases.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignancy of the upper limb, and can pose a significant therapeutic challenge. Early treatment needs to be radical whilst maintaining function.We describe two cases of upper limb squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy, review the literature on radiotherapy as a primary treatment modality, and discuss the specific difficulties treating SCC in the hand.Radiation therapy was inadequate in tumor clearance in both cases, with recurrence both extensive and distal to the initial focus. Moreover, both patients developed progressive functional loss related to pain, swelling, and stiffness.The evidence basis for radiation therapy as a primary modality is limited, although clearance rates are comparable to surgery. Both radiotherapy and surgery can be utilized to treat SCC. However, we make the case for the hand being especially susceptible to the unwanted side effects of radiotherapy.

The aim of this study was to analyse the management of nail bed injuries from a clinical and economic perspective. We carried out a retrospective analysis of nail bed injuries treated operatively at a tertiary Plastic Surgery Hand Trauma Unit during 2016. The National Schedule of Reference Costs (2015–2016) was used to estimate the costs of treating 630 patients. The most common mechanism was a crush injury in a door (33%). Fifty-five per cent of patients had an associated tuft fracture. The minimum cost per annum for patients treated for nail bed injuries in our unit was calculated to be £511,560 (€573,362; US$666,664). Many nail bed injuries are preventable and because they present a very high financial burden on the National Health Service, targeted prevention strategies should be considered. Level of evidence: IV

Mallet finger injuries are common; treatment goals include achieving joint stability, preventing extensor lag, and subsequent swan-neck deformity. We describe a simple technique for improving intraoperative bony mallet reduction, which may avoid the requirement for closed Ishiguro extension blocking wires or open fixation, and present a prospective case series (n=12). Intraoperative percutaneous blunt needle reduction (PBNR) is achieved under image intensifier guidance. Using artery forceps, a blunt fill needle tip is manipulated onto the proximal avulsed fragment; this is then guided into a reduced position and maintained using a well-formed Zimmer splint across the distal interphalangeal joint in 15- to 30-degree extension. There were 5 injuries involving >1/3 of the articular surface (Doyle's classification IVb) and 7 injuries involving >1/2 of the articular surface (Doyle's classification IVc). Mean hand therapy follow-up was 10.6±1.0 weeks, extensor lag was 4.6±1.7 degrees, and all patients achieved full functional recovery with return to normal daily activity. No complications were reported. Closed techniques, for example, Ishiguro extension blocking wires, may reduce the risks associated with open reduction, but do not avoid further articular surface damage. PBNR offers the surgeon a useful adjunct to the treatment options for bony mallet injuries, without excluding progression to surgical fixation if required. PBNR represents a less-invasive management option for bony mallet injures where surgical fixation may also be indicated.

Background: After the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, a British orthoplastic limb salvage team was mobilized. The team operated in a suburb of Port-au-Prince from January 20, 2010. This analysis gives an overview of the caseload and early outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis of operative data from the log book was performed from the opening of the facility on January 20, 2010, until March 12, 2010. Results: In total, 348 operations were carried out on 158 patients, at an average of 47 cases per week. Seventy-three percent of the cases were soft-tissue cases and 25 percent were bony or combined soft-tissue and bony cases. The majority of bony procedures (n = 26; 16 percent) and flap procedures (n = 16; 10 percent) took place in the early weeks (weeks 1 through 4). Combined orthoplastic cases accounted for 37 percent of cases (16 of 44) in week 2 but only 7 percent (three of 43) in week 7. General anesthetic cases accounted for 89 percent of cases (39 of 44) in week 2 but only 40 percent (17 of 43) in week 7. Only six patients (4 percent) underwent amputation, but 36 operations (10 percent) dealt with the sequelae of amputation. Sixteen patients (10 percent) suffered complications, including two amputations for failed limb salvage. Conclusions: This article reports the outcomes of a limb salvage team in the acute response after an earthquake disaster with a favorable amputation rate and highlights the potential benefit of mobilizing this type of team. Detailing the changing caseload over time will allow for more efficient planning in case of a similar future disaster.

Purpose To determine the complication rate of a modified Skoog's technique in the surgical treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 253 patients who had surgery by 1 surgeon using 1 technique with a mean follow-up period of 3.6 years. We studied the complication rate of the modified Skoog's procedure, relating it to a grading system for disease severity. A separate prospective long-term study was performed with an unselected cohort in which disease recurrence producing contracture was investigated prospectively in a group of 75 patients. Results Complications occurred in 46 patients. Thirty-five patients had 1 complication and 11 patients had more than 1 complication. Intraoperative complications included 6 patients with nerve injury and 1 patient with an arterial injury. Early postoperative complications before wound healing included 5 patients with digital hematoma, 24 patients with wound infection, 6 patients with sympathetic dystrophy, and 6 patients with skin slough. Late postoperative complications included 3 patients with scar contraction and 2 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. There were 3 non–hand-related complications: 1 urinary retention, 1 left ventricular failure, and 1 myocardial infarction. Recurrence of Dupuytren's disease occurred in 23 of 75 patients after a mean follow-up period of 9.4 years. Conclusions The complication rate increased with the severity of disease particularly if the proximal interphalangeal joint contracture was 60° or more. There was no difference in the complication rate for patients who had surgery for primary or recurrent disease.

5-Fluorouracil reduces proliferation rates of fibroblasts, myofibroblast differentiation and contractility of ocular fibroblasts in vitro. This double-blind randomized clinical trial assesses whether intra-operative topical treatment with 5-fluorouracil reduces the recurrence rate after limited excision of Dupuytren’s tissue. Patients with two-digit disease were randomized to having 5-fluorouracil (25 mg/ml) treatment for 5 minutes on one digit and placebo on the other. Fifteen patients were enrolled with 18 months follow-up. There were no peri-operative complications. Wound healing was not delayed and there was no deterioration in the flexion deformity of the 5-fluorouracil treated digits. Patients were subsequently assessed by joint angle measurement at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months. There was no significant difference between control and 5-fluorouracil treated digits.

Limited studies exist on the outcome of replacing an amputated fingertip as a composite graft. We report the outcomes and predictors for composite graft survival along with the long-term morbidity. A retrospective review of all patients 4. Of the patients, 17% developed post-operative complications; 48% of patients reported a hook-nail deformity and 17% reported cold intolerance. Only 5% of patients reported any functional difficulties long term. The rate of complete composite graft survival in a paediatric population is low, although the long-term function of these patients is good. Level of evidence: 3

Earthquakes are the leading cause of natural disaster-related mortality and morbidity. Soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries are the predominant type of injury seen after these events and a major reason for admission to hospital. Open fractures are relatively common; however, they are resource-intense to manage. Appropriate management is important in minimising amputation rates and preserving function. This review describes the pattern of musculoskeletal and soft-tissue injuries seen after earthquakes and explores the manpower and resource implications involved in their management.A Medline search was performed, including terms "injury pattern" and "earthquake," "epidemiology injuries" and "earthquakes," "plastic surgery," "reconstructive surgery," "limb salvage" and "earthquake." Papers published between December 1992 and December 2012 were included, with no initial language restriction.Limb injuries are the commonest injuries seen accounting for 60 % of all injuries, with fractures in more than 50 % of those admitted to hospital, with between 8 and 13 % of these fractures open. After the first few days and once the immediate lifesaving phase is over, the management of these musculoskeletal and soft-tissue injuries are the commonest procedures required.Due to the predominance of soft-tissue and musculoskeletal injuries, plastic surgeons as specialists in soft-tissue reconstruction should be mobilised in the early stages of a disaster response as part of a multidisciplinary team with a focus on limb salvage.

Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and malignant tumour. Survival data and prognostic factors are scarce. Aim To investigate the usefulness of biological markers to predict the prognosis for these aggressive tumours. Methods C-myc oncoprotein and proliferation was analysed in specimens from 13 patients with MCC, treated between 1983 and 1997. The average age at presentation was 68.3 years. Overall follow-up ranged from 14 to 158 months, with a mean of 68.2 months. Specimens were analysed by immunohistochemistry for proliferation (mib-1) and flow cytometry for oncogene activity (c-myc). Results The median positivity was 52% for the c-myc oncogene and 50% for proliferation, but these did not correlate to survival as analysed by the Kaplan–Meier method. Other parameters such as median age at presentation, sex, site of tumour and adjuvant radiotherapy were also analysed, but none were found to be significant. Conclusions This study showed that neither c-myc oncogene activity or mitotic index in MCC can be related to patient survival.

INTRODUCTION: Dupuytren's disease is a proliferative disease with contractile properties, prone to recur after surgery. Intra-operatively applied 5-fluorouracil has been used to avoid scar problems in the eye after glaucoma filtration surgery and was therefore investigated as a means to inhibit proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation in Dupuytren fibroblasts in vitro. METHOD: Primary cell lines were obtained by explants from Dupuytren's tissue (n = 6), non-diseased palmar fascia from patients with Dupuytren's disease (n = 3) and carpal ligament from patients undergoing carpal tunnel release (n = 3). The effect of 5-fluorouracil on proliferation was assessed by cell counting. Myofibroblast differentiation, an intergral part of Dupuytren's contracture, was investigated by staining for alpha smooth muscle actin, a marker for contractile cells, using immunohisto-chemical methods. RESULTS: A single exposure to 5-fluorouracil caused a sustained inhibition of proliferation in Dupuytren's and non-diseased fascia cultures, whilst the effect on carpal ligament cultures was transient. Untreated Dupuytren's fibroblasts exhibited the highest myofibroblast differentiation, whilst differentiation in non-diseased fascia cultures was shown to be proportional to cell density and virtually non-existent in carpal ligament cultures. After 5-fluorouracil exposure, the differentiation was significantly reduced in Dupuytren's fibroblasts cultures, reduced at high cell densities in non-diseased fascia and unchanged in carpal ligament cell cultures. DISCUSSION: 5-fluorouracil inhibits both proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation in Dupuytren's cell cultures and may have a potential use as an adjuvant treatment to Dupuytren surgery in order to reduce the rate of recurrence and contracture.

Dupuytren’s contracture shares certain properties with malignant tumours, characterized by proliferation and lack of apoptosis, which may be induced by the c- myc oncogene. Because of these similarities, the relationship between the c- myc oncogene expression, bcl-2 oncogene (antiapoptotic gene) and proliferation was investigated in Dupuytren’s disease. Proliferation was assessed by immunohistochemical staining of the mib-1 antibody. Results were compared with those from fibrosarcoma specimens, representing a related malignant tumour. Non-diseased fascia from Dupuytren patients and flexor retinaculum from patients undergoing carpal tunnel release without Dupuytren’s disease were used as controls. Expression of c- myc was elevated in primary Dupuytren’s disease and fibrosarcoma specimens, whilst recurrent Dupuytren’s disease, non-diseased Dupuytren fascia and flexor retinaculum exhibited significantly lower levels. Neither bcl-2 nor mib-1 were detected in Dupuytren’s disease, non-diseased fascia or flexor retinaculum, in contrast to fibrosarcoma. The imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis, producing malignant growth was thus confirmed for fibrosarcoma, but not for Dupuytren’s disease.

Radionecrotic ulcers due to breast cancer treatment is a highly morbid and disabling condition, causing pain, malodour, need for frequent dressings, reduced range of shoulder movements and an unacceptable cosmetic appearance. In patients with radiotherapy to the chest and/or axilla and general poor health the usual reconstructive options may not be suitable due to regional tissue damage and inappropriate long anaesthetic time, respectively. Described procedures include the pedicled latisimus dorsi flap, transverse rectus abdominal flap (TRAM) and omental transposition flap, as well as free tissue transfer (e.g. free TRAM, DIEP). We report a case of a morbidly obese female patient presenting with a large radionecrotic ulcer in her left axilla, following mastectomy, axillary clearance and local radiotherapy to left chest and axilla for breast cancer. She underwent reconstruction using an omental transposition flap, despite previous abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND—Congenital facial palsy (CFP) is clinically defined as facial palsy present at birth. It is associated with considerable disfigurement and causes functional and emotional problems for the affected child. The aetiology of the majority of cases however, remains elusive. AIMS—To investigate the role of a neuroanatomical abnormality as a cause of unilateral CFP. METHODS—Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed on 21 patients with unilateral CFP. Fifteen patients had unilateral CFP only; six suffered from syndromes which can include unilateral CFP. RESULTS—Of the 15 patients with unilateral CFP only, four (27%) had an abnormal nucleus or an abnormal weighting of this area on the MRI scan, compared to one (17%) of the remaining six patients. CONCLUSION—Developmental abnormalities of the facial nucleus itself constitute an important, and previously ignored, cause of monosymptomatic unilateral CFP.

BACKGROUND: At Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, patients with periocular hemangiomas are assessed in a multidisciplinary team setting using a protocol developed in 1999. As part of this protocol, surgery is indicated for lesions that continue to cause amblyopia despite treatment with systemic or intralesional steroids or both. Surgery is performed by one of the authors (D.D.). This experience is described. METHODS: A retrospective notes review was undertaken of surgically excised periocular hemangiomas. RESULTS: Eighteen consecutive cases (15 girls and three boys) were identified as having surgical treatment over a 5-year period. The mean age at the time of surgery was 22 months (range, 5 months to 3 years). All but one of the patients had amblyopia or a threat to normal visual development. The follow-up ranged from 1 month to 4 years. Three were lower lid lesions and 15 were upper lid lesions. When there was a threat to normal visual development, preoperative imaging by ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, or contrast computed tomography was performed. No rebound growth or deterioration in visual development occurred in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited experience in the literature of excisional surgery for the treatment of periocular hemangiomas. The authors present a series of 18 patients who have been treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children after either failed medical therapies or after patient request. With the appropriate indications and surgical principles, periocular hemangiomas in children can be safely and effectively excised.

Background/aims: Skin mechanics may be affected by a number of dermatological and systemic conditions, and reliable quantification of skin distension may therefore be of considerable interest. This study was undertaken in order to assess the intra-and inter-individual variation of measurements of skin distensibil-ity when using Dermaflex A. Methods: Dermaflex is a suction device that measures the deformation of the skin surface within a 10- mm cup following application of given suction. Three levels of suction were studied on the flexural side of the forearm in 19 healthy volunteers. Results: Increasing levels of suction produced significantly increasing skin distension (P

Acne is a common disease affecting a significant proportion of the population.(1-3) It causes considerable morbidity through soreness, disfigurement, and social handicap due to inflammatory lesions.(4,5) Modern therapy ensures that a considerable proportion of all patients can be offered effective treatment of their disease, but the morbidity is not restricted solely to the inflammatory lesions of acne.(6,7) Despite appropriate and effective primary prevention of scarring, scarring occurs in some degree in 95% of all patients irrespective of the severity of inflammatory acne (although severe acne causes more scarring than the milder forms). The scarring causes long-term morbidity that requires specific therapy.(7)

Dupuytren's contracture is a common disease affecting the palmar fascia. It is mostly found in the elderly population, although more aggressive cases are not uncommon in the younger population. After a historic and epidemiological review, the clinical picture, histology and pathogenesis, the surgical treatment, and the latest therapeutic options are presented.

Vinorelbine tartrate (Navelbine, Burroughs Wellcome Company, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA) is a semisynthetic vinca alkaloid approved in many countries for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. It is also used in the treatment of advanced breast and ovarian cancers and lymphoma. Like other vinca alkaloids, Navelbine can cause skin necrosis as a consequence of inadvertent extravasation in surrounding tissues during intravenous administration. In such cases, early treatment is strongly advocated. There is no documented case of vinorelbine extravasation in the literature. The authors herein report two cases successfully treated with hyaluronidase injections plus saline flushout under local anesthesia.

A young girl with recurrent swelling of a facial low-flow venous malformation was treated successfully by injection of fibrin glue.

A case report of massive localized lymphoedema in a morbidly obese 50-year-old woman and review of the literature.

A functional variant of lower lip reconstruction is reported, in which a nasolabial skin flap was combined with upward transposition of the inferior part of the orbicularis oris muscle in a 'bucket-handle' fashion. The tongue was split to provide both an intraoral lining to the lip and a new vermilion.

The influence of topically applied tap water on the mechanical properties of human skin was studied in vivo by applying tap water to the ventral aspect of the forearms of 18 healthy volunteers for 10 or 20 minutes and then measuring distensibility, elastic retraction, and hysteresis. Significant increases in distensibility, resilient distensibility, and hysteresis were noted after 20 minutes of soaking. Most of these findings were already apparent after 10 minutes. This study shows that the epidermis plays a significant role in determining the mechanical properties of human skin. Possible practical implications of superficial skin hydration for plastic surgery such as tissue expansion and larger excisions are briefly discussed.