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A persistent challenge that has limited access and delivery of digit replantation surgery is timing, as ischemia time has traditionally been considered an important determinant of success. However, reports that the viability of amputated digits decreases after 6 hours of warm ischemia and 12 hours of cold ischemia are largely anecdotal. This review evaluates the quality and generalizability of available evidence regarding ischemia times after digit amputation and reported outcomes of “delayed” replantation. We identify substantial limitations in the literature supporting ischemia time cutoffs and recent evidence supporting the feasibility of delayed digit replantation. The current treatment approach for amputation injuries often necessitates transfers or overnight emergency procedures that increase costs and limit availability of digit replantation nationwide. Evidence-based changes to digit replantation protocols could lead to broader availability of this service, as well as improved care quality.

Backgroud Many U.S. health care institutions have adopted compensation models based on work relative value units (wRVUs) to standardize payments and incentivize providers. A major determinant of payment and wRVU assignments is operative time. We sought to determine whether differences in estimated operative times between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) contribute to payment and wRVU misvaluation for the most common shoulder/elbow procedures. Methods We collected data on wRVUs, payments, and operative times from CMS for 29 types of isolated arthroscopic and open shoulder/elbow procedures. Using regression analysis, we compared relationships between these variables, in addition to median operative times reported by NSQIP (2013-2016). We then determined the relative valuation of each procedure based on operative time. Results Seventy-nine percent of CMS operative time were longer than NSQIP time (R2 = 0.58), including, but not limited to, shoulder arthroplasty and arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The correlation between payments and operative times was stronger between CMS data (R2 = 0.61) than NSQIP data (R2 = 0.43). Similarly, the correlation between wRVUs and operative times was stronger when using CMS data (R2 = 0.87) than NSQIP data (R2 = 0.69). Nearly all arthroscopic shoulder procedures (aside from synovectomy, debridement, and decompression) were highly valued according to both datasets. Per NSQIP, compensation for revision total shoulder arthroplasty ($10.14/min; 0.26 wRVU/min) was higher than that for primary cases ($9.85, 0.23 wRVU/min) and nearly twice the CMS rate for revision cases ($5.84/min; 0.13 wRVU/min). Conclusions CMS may overestimate operative times compared to actual operative times as recorded by NSQIP. Shorter operative times may render certain procedures more highly valued than others. Case examples show that this can potentially affect patient care and incentivize higher compensating procedures per operative time when less-involved, shorter operations have similar patient-reported outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Many US health care institutions have adopted compensation models based on work relative value units (wRVUs) to standardize payments and incentivize providers. Among other factors, a major determinant of payment and wRVU assignments is operative time. Our objective was to determine whether differences in estimated operative times between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) contribute to payment and wRVU misvaluation for the most common hospital-based hand and upper extremity procedures. METHODS: Data on wRVUs, surgeon payment, and estimated operative times were collected from CMS for 53 procedures. We used regression models to compare relationships between these variables, in addition to actual median operative times as reported in the NSQIP database, from 2011 to 2016. We then determined the relative valuation of each procedure based on operative time. RESULTS: There was a wide discrepancy between CMS and NSQIP operative times (R(2)=0.49), with 60% of CMS times being longer than NSQIP times. Payment correlated more strongly with CMS operative times (R(2)=0.55) than with NSQIP operative times (R(2)=0.24). Similarly, wRVUs more strongly correlated with CMS operative times (R(2)=0.84) than with NSQIP operative times (R2=0.51). In general, for trauma-related procedures, any distal radius open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) had the highest valuation while any ORIF proximal to the distal radius had lower valuation in analysis of both databases. While 61% of trauma procedures were highly valued, 70% of elective procedures had a low valuation, including nearly all elective tendon procedures. Notable compensation differences were found between trapeziectomy versus ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, epicondyle debridement with tendon repair versus denervation, proximal row carpectomy versus four corner fusion, and distal radius open versus percutaneous fixation. CONCLUSIONS: CMS may misvalue payment and wRVU rates of hospital-based hand procedures due to inaccurate operative time estimates. By identifying which procedures are misvalued in terms of payment and wRVU per operative time, providers and payors may be able to address these imbalances and maximize appropriate care delivery incentives. Level of Evidence: III

Case: A 30-year-old woman underwent arthroscopy for wrist pain 3.5 years following a medial femoral trochlea (MFT) osteocartilaginous free flap for Kienbock disease, which provided the opportunity to examine the transferred cartilage in vivo. Arthroscopy revealed no evidence of chondrolysis, and histologic examination revealed uniformly viable chondrocytes within a matrix consistent with fibrocartilage. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, the long-term viability of chondrocytes following an MFT free flap has not been previously documented. This case provides early evidence that free tissue transfer based on the descending genicular artery can provide a durable solution for osteocartilaginous defects.

The distal radioulnar joint is a complex structure necessary for forearm motion and force transmission across the wrist. Anatomic and biomechanical advances have revealed broad contributions to distal radioulnar joint stability and refined our understanding of the forces acting across it. Instability often co-occurs with other modes of pathology, such as arthrosis or malunion; and appropriate diagnosis and treatment require a comprehensive understanding of all contributing factors. Distal radioulnar joint instability can be broadly categorized as primary, post-traumatic or post-surgical. Treatment strategies include percutaneous, arthroscopic, soft-tissue, osteotomy and arthroplasty techniques. The purpose of this article is to review distal radioulnar joint instability and its management.

Purpose To retrospectively evaluate patients with 6-year minimum follow-up after submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve for primary entrapment. Methods From 1992 to 2005, 142 patients were treated surgically for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow by 2 senior surgeons using a technique that preserved nerve vascularity. A total of 99 cases were eligible, and 82 elbows in 76 patients, average age 48 years, were followed for at least 6 years (average, 8.3 y). Thirty-two (42%) were male, and the dominant limb was involved in 49 (64%). The average duration of symptoms before surgery was 25 months. Clinical records were reviewed, and sensory (S0–2) and motor (M0–5) testing was performed. Dellon scores were determined, and visual analog scale and modified questionnaires from Novak et al and Kleinman and Bishop were completed. Preoperatively, 48 elbows were Dellon grade III, 33 were grade II, and one was grade I. Results There were clinically and statistically significant improvements in patient and surgeon-reported data regardless of the preoperative disease severity. Visual analog scale questionnaires, sensory scale, and motor strength all improved, with at least antigravity strength in all subjects. Dellon scores also improved, and 38 elbows had normalized to Dellon 0. Of the 33 preoperative elbows that were grade III, 15 improved to grade II, 13 to grade I, and 5 normalized. Of the 48 preoperative elbows that were grade II, 16 improved to grade I and 32 normalized. Preoperative Dellon III elbows had more residual symptoms than grade II elbows. A total of 73 elbows (89%) had a good or excellent outcome. There were no reoperations or infections. Conclusions Submuscular transposition is a safe and durable option for primary ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Overall, good or excellent results were achieved in 89% of patients with a low complication rate. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.

Arthritis and instability represent 2 of the most common pathological processes affecting the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). These conditions can present in isolation or as components of a multifactorial process. Nonoperative treatment is indicated for most acute injuries to the DRUJ. The joint should be immobilized in a position of stability to allow for ligament healing. Likewise, early arthritis responds favorably to rest, immobilization, corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). When DRUJ instability is refractory to nonoperative measures, native ligament repair is the preferable method of treatment. When this method is not possible, anatomical reconstruction of the distal radioulnar ligaments should be performed. For advanced DRUJ arthritis Darrach resection should be reserved for the elderly, low-demand patient. The Sauve-Kapandji procedure allows for arthrodesis of the DRUJ while maintaining forearm rotation and a stable base for the ulnar carpus. DRUJ hemiarthroplasty procedures have been associated with favorable preliminary results. These implants attempt to reproduce native biomechanics and may be used in lieu of or as a salvage procedure after resection arthroplasty. DRUJ arthroplasty should be used as a salvage procedure.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral nerve compression syndrome. Treatment options include wrist-neutral bracing, corticosteroid injections, operative release of the transverse carpal ligament, and symptom-relief options. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release may give patients a faster recovery compared with traditional open release, but there are no ultimate differences in outcome among the various surgical options.

Aims Our purpose was to determine the quality of current randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in hand surgery using standardised metrics. Materials and Methods Based on five-year mean impact factors, we selected the six journals that routinely publish studies of upper extremity surgery. Using a journal-specific search query, 62 RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Then three blinded reviewers used the Jadad and revised Coleman Methodology Score (RCMS) to assess the quality of the manuscripts. Results Based on the Jadad scale, 28 studies were of high quality and 34 were of low quality. Methodological deficiencies in poorly scoring trials included the absence of rate of enrolment, no power analysis, no description of withdrawal or dropout, and a failure to use validated outcomes assessments with an independent investigator. Conclusion A large number of RCTs in hand, wrist, and elbow surgery were of suboptimal quality when judged against the RCMS and Jadad scales. Even with a high level of evidence, study design and execution of RCTs should be critically assessed. Methodological deficiencies may introduce bias and lead to statistically underpowered studies. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:94–9.

Osteoarthritis is a common indication for hip and knee arthroplasty. An accurate assessment of current trends in healthcare utilization as they relate to arthroplasty may predict the needs of a growing elderly population in the United States. First, incidence data was queried from the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1993 to 2009. Patients undergoing total knee and hip arthroplasty were identified. Then, the United States Census Bureau was queried for population data from the same study period as well as to provide future projections. Arthroplasty followed linear regression models with the population group >64 years in both hip and knee groups. Projections for procedure incidence in the year 2050 based on these models were calculated to be 1,859,553 cases (hip) and 4,174,554 cases (knee). The need for hip and knee arthroplasty is expected to grow significantly in the upcoming years, given population growth predictions.

Resection arthroplasty of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), such as the Darrach procedure, is a common treatment for pathology that proves refractory to more conservative measures. Although outcomes are often favorable, complications include pain, instability, ulnar translation of the carpus, and abutment of the ulnar stump on the radius [7, 13]. Darrach procedures yield inferior outcomes in patients with high functional demands [7, 26] and numerous soft-tissue stabilization procedures have been developed to control an unstable residual ulnar stump [3, 4, 12]. Unfortunately, the failed distal ulnar resection has proved quite problematic, with persistently poor outcomes despite multiple stabilization procedures [2]. DRUJ implant arthroplasty offers a possible solution. Distal ulnar hemiarthroplasties exist [5, 10], as do total ulnar head replacements [8, 14, 20, 25], but their stability requires some contribution from native soft tissues, which are often deficient, especially in salvage situations [22]. More recently, total DRUJ replacements have been developed [11, 19, 23]. One particular implant is the bipolar, self-constrained Aptis Total DRUJ Replacement Prosthesis (Aptis Medical, Louisville, KY) [21, 22]. This report describes our experience with this new implant.

Study Design. A prospective study. Objective. Our purpose was to evaluate prospectively the complications, clinical outcomes, and self-reported quality of life in a relatively homogenous group of adults aged ≥40 years undergoing primary surgical treatment for scoliosis. Summary of Background Data. Relatively few reports have examined surgical outcomes in adult patients with scoliosis, especially adults aged ≥40 years, whose outcomes may differ because of more rigid curves and more frequent and severe comorbidities. Although most studies have shown patient benefits despite high complication rates after such surgery, most were retrospective and conducted before the introduction of third-generation instrumentation techniques. Methods. We prospectively studied a consecutive series of 35 patients of age ≥40 years (average age, 56.3 years) undergoing primary surgery for scoliosis by one surgeon. Most of our patients (86%) had at least one comorbidity. We collected complete radiographic measurements and Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form 36, and Scoliosis Research Society 22 questionnaires before surgery and at each follow-up, and recorded the number and type of complications. Outcomes were assessed in the context of complications, degree of correction, and procedure characteristics to detect significant (P < 0.05) correlations. Results. The overall complications rate was 49%; 26% of the patients had a major complication and 31% had a minor one. There were no deaths. Coronal curve correction was 30.8° (61%) on average. There were statistically significant postoperative improvements in Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form 36, and Scoliosis Research Society 22 scores. Patients whose fusions ended at L4 or L5 showed greater improvements in some of the Short Form 36 component scores than patients whose fusions involved the sacrum (P = 0.041). There were no significant differences in outcomes related to presence of complications or operative staging. Conclusion. Adults ≥40 years with symptomatic scoliosis benefit from surgical treatment, despite the high complication rate.

Study Design. Retrospective review. Objective. Anchor stability and prominence are problems with pelvic fixation in pediatric spinal deformity surgery. We compared the new sacral alar iliac (SAI) fixation technique (with a starting point in the sacral ala and in-line anchors deep under the midline muscle flap) with other methods of screw fixation. Summary of Background Data. Iliac anchors have been shown to provide the best form of pelvic fixation. A trajectory from the posterior sacral surface to the iliac wings has recently been described. To our knowledge, no clinical series has compared this method of pelvic fixation in children to others. Methods. Of 32 consecutive pediatric patients who underwent SAI fixation, 2 died and 26 returned for follow-up (>2 years). Mean age at surgery was 14 years. Average screw size was 67 mm long and 7 to 9 mm in diameter. Clinical examinations, radiographs, and computed tomography scans were analyzed. Outcomes included pain over the implants, screw placement, implant prominence, radiographic lucency, need for revision, and infection. SAI patients were compared with 27 previous patients who had pelvic fixation via other screw techniques. Results. For SAI fixation, correction of pelvic obliquity and Cobb angles were 20° ± 11° (70%) and 42° ± 25° (67%), respectively. For other pelvic fixation methods, those values were 10° ± 9° (50%), and 46° ± 16° (60%), respectively. Compared with other screws, SAI screws provided significantly better pelvic obliquity correction (P = 0.002) but no difference in Cobb correction. There were 2 lucencies adjacent to screws in both groups. Computed tomography scans of 18 SAI patients showed no intrapelvic protrusion, but 1 screw extended laterally (

Background This study attempts to confirm that the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Measure self-administered questionnaire is valid specifically for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Validity of the Levine-Katz questionnaire for ulnar neuropathology compared with DASH was also studied. Materials and methods Forty-eight patients with isolated ulnar nerve surgery completed a 6-month evaluation. Patients were assigned a clinical stage. The DASH and Levine-Katz questionnaires were administered, and pinch and grip strength were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Levine-Katz questionnaires were correlated with DASH to establish criterion validity. Construct validity was tested by determining a relationship between scores and clinical stages and by comparing scores preoperatively and postoperatively. Results There was a high correlation between DASH scores and symptom severity and functional status. Although correlations were significant between DASH and biomechanical measures, correlation coefficients were lower. Postoperatively, all measures improved significantly. Conclusion This study confirms that scores on the DASH questionnaire reflect the clinical staging of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Level of evidence Level 1.

Metazoan replication-dependent histone mRNAs are not polyadenylated, and instead terminate in a conserved stem–loop structure generated by an endonucleolytic cleavage involving the U7 snRNP, which interacts with histone pre-mRNAs through base-pairing between U7 snRNA and a purine-rich sequence in the pre-mRNA located downstream of the cleavage site. Here we generate null mutations of the single Drosophila U7 gene and demonstrate that U7 snRNA is required in vivo for processing all replication-associated histone pre-mRNAs. Mutation of U7 results in the production of poly A+ histone mRNA in both proliferating and endocycling cells because of read-through to cryptic polyadenylation sites found downstream of each Drosophila histone gene. A similar molecular phenotype also results from mutation of Slbp, which encodes the protein that binds the histone mRNA 3′ stem–loop. U7 null mutants develop into sterile males and females, and these females display defects during oogenesis similar to germ line clones of Slbp null cells. In contrast to U7 mutants, Slbp null mutations cause lethality. This may reflect a later onset of the histone pre-mRNA processing defect in U7 mutants compared to Slbp mutants, due to maternal stores of U7 snRNA. A double mutant combination of a viable, hypomorphic Slbp allele and a viable U7 null allele is lethal, and these double mutants express polyadenylated histone mRNAs earlier in development than either single mutant. These data suggest that SLBP and U7 snRNP cooperate in the production of histone mRNA in vivo, and that disruption of histone pre-mRNA processing is detrimental to development.

Purpose Timely identification of tissue ischemia is critical, both in the traumatized limb and following free tissue transfer. The purpose of this study was to determine if skin pigmentation affects the ability to detect limb ischemia. Methods We conducted a study of healthy controls exposed to limb ischemia. The subjects were classified based on skin pigmentation using a defined skin type assessment tool, a visual color scale, and self-description of race. Participants were randomized by limb and tourniquet status; surgeons were blinded to both. Ischemia was induced by tourniquet insufflations, and board-certified orthopedic and plastic surgeons who had completed an accredited hand surgery fellowship conducted physical examinations. The surgeons monitored the forearms at 2, 6, and 10 minutes based on appearance of ischemia, capillary refill, and color in 3 locations on the limbs (posterior interosseous artery flap skin territory, radial forearm flap skin territory, and the digits). Results We found a significant decrease in the ability to detect ischemia in participants with increased skin pigmentation, as documented by all metrics, when evaluating the posterior interosseous artery and radial forearm flap skin territories at all time points. For example, when monitoring the posterior interosseous artery flap with the tourniquet insufflated at time 10 minutes, 92.9% of Caucasians were correctly identified as being ischemic whereas only 23.3% of African Americans were correctly identified. Conclusions Skin pigmentation significantly affects the identification of an ischemic limb/skin flaps on physical examination. Whereas the standard treatment for monitoring of free tissue transfer is clinical examination, that may not be sufficient for patients with increased skin pigmentation. Surgeons should exercise particular vigilance during physical examination of a potentially ischemic limb/skin flaps with greater skin pigmentation. Type of study/level of evidence Diagnostic II.

Management of pediatric radial neck fractures is controversial regarding acceptable alignment, variable reduction techniques, and suboptimal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the characteristics, management, and results in a surgical cohort, in efforts to identify prognostic factors and offer treatment suggestions. It was hypothesized that less invasive reduction maneuvers would precede open reduction and that worse results would correlate with fracture severity, open reduction, and the presence of associated injuries.Retrospective analysis of 151 children in whom a radial neck fracture had been surgically treated from 2001 to 2011 was performed. The mean age (and standard deviation) and duration of follow-up were 8.4 ± 2.9 years and 13.3 ± 20.0 months, respectively; 40% of the patients were male. A successful clinical result was defined as elbow flexion of ≥120°, flexion contracture of20°, forearm rotation of ≥90° with ≥45° of supination and pronation, and no complications.An isolated radial neck fracture occurred in 54% of the children. The mean angulation and displacement improved from 43° ± 19° and 37% ± 35%, respectively, before treatment to 13° ± 7° and 0.9% ± 4% after treatment (p0.001). Twenty-two procedural combinations were used to treat these patients, and 67% of the open reductions were not preceded by percutaneous or closed reduction attempts. Among 131 patients with adequate follow-up, 31% had an unsuccessful outcome. An age of ten years or more (odds ratio [OR] = 5.85, p = 0.001), a time to surgery of two days or less (OR = 4.73, p = 0.02), and greater fracture displacement (OR = 1.25 per 10%, p = 0.001) were independent predictors of unsuccessful outcomes. Increased fracture severity and open reduction were associated with poor results, although the presence of concomitant injuries was not. It is predicted that closed manipulation will fail for half of fractures angulated ≥36°, and that half of fractures displaced ≥65% will require open reduction. The predicted frequency of unsuccessful outcomes is 50% with 76% displacement.There continues to be great variation in the approach to treatment of displaced radial neck fractures in children. Suboptimal results occurred in 31% of the patients in this series, with worse results in patients older than ten years, who had increased fracture severity, and who underwent open reduction. Less invasive reduction methods should precede open reduction whenever possible.

The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is a complex structure that contributes to full, painless forearm rotation and weight bearing. Stability requires adequate bony architecture and robust soft-tissue support. Arthritis of the DRUJ between the sigmoid notch of the distal radius and the ulnar head can be caused by traumatic, inflammatory, congenital, and degenerative processes. Initial management of symptomatic DRUJ arthritis is nonsurgical. Surgery is reserved for patients with refractory pain. Although outcomes typically are positive following excision of the distal ulna, serious potential postoperative complications include instability and potentially painful impingement of the residual distal ulnar stump. Procedures used to manage the unstable residual ulna include soft-tissue stabilization techniques and DRUJ implant arthroplasty.

This study evaluated the insertional anatomy and orientation of the biceps tuberosity and tendon to assess the anatomic validity of repairs made with 1 incision vs 2 incisions. Computed axial tomography was used to image 30 cadaver radii, and each tendon insertion was measured with a digital micrometer. Specimens were sectioned and imaged with Faxitron radiography (Faxitron X-Ray Corp, Wheeling, IL) to determine the angular orientation of the biceps tendon insertion relative to the tuberosity apex. The tuberosity axis of orientation averaged 65 degrees (range, 15 degrees -120 degrees ) of pronation from anterior, with angular orientation encompassing a mean 59 degrees (range, 15 degrees -100 degrees ) arc with the midpoint of the insertion averaging 50 degrees (range, -5 degrees to 105 degrees ). Most biceps tendons inserted on the anterior aspect of the apex of the tuberosity, with an average width of 7 mm and length of 22 mm. The biceps tuberosity is oriented in more pronation than is typically described, prohibiting anatomic reinsertion of the tendon in 35% of specimens with current single-incision techniques.

20 40 60 80 100 Citation n 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 The Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials in Hand, Wrist and Elbow Surgery: A Critical Analysis of Current Literature James P. Higgins, Jaehon M. Kim, Ryan M. Zimmerman, Christopher M. Jones, Norman H. Dubin, Frank M. McCormick and Kenneth R. Means ** No funding was received in support of this project. The authors have no relevant financial disclosures. ** BACKGROUND