Paul C. Dell’s research while affiliated with University of Florida and other places

Case We present a 67-year-old woman with long finger extrinsic extensor tightness and a 56-year-old man with limited index finger flexion due to extrinsic extensor tightness secondary to tendon transfers for radial nerve palsy. Both patients underwent prior surgical procedures that led to limited range of motion (ROM). Subsequently, they elected for central tendon tenotomy (CTT), which demonstrated postoperative ROM improvement and satisfactory patient outcomes. Conclusion Surgical management of extrinsic extensor tendon tightness of the hand is generally addressed by performing tenolysis to improve tendon excursion. We present a novel and simple technique of CTT with pertinent anatomy, descriptive cases, and a cadaveric video.

Background Carpal bone tumors are rare in the literature, making it difficult to identify their clinical presentation. Purpose This systematic review analyzes the characteristics of published carpal bone tumor cases to identify the most frequent patterns in diagnoses. Attention is paid to the carpal bone involved and type, and patient demographics was performed to summarize published findings. Methods A systematic review was searched on PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane databases gathering literature on carpal bone tumors. After applying specific criteria, final analysis of the literature yielded 151 patients with 156 carpal bone neoplasms. Results The most common carpal bones involved were the scaphoid (48, 31%), capitate (31, 20%), and hamate (24, 15%). Benign tumors represented the largest majority (133, 85%), followed by metastatic (17, 11%) and primary malignant (7, 5%). The most frequent tumor types were osteoid osteoma (37, 24%), osteoblastoma or giant cell tumor (24, 15%), intraosseous ganglia (21, 13%), and chondroblastoma (14, 9%). Within the metastatic category, most tumors derived from lung carcinoma (10, 59%), followed by renal cell carcinoma (2, 12%). There were three types within the malignant category: chondrosarcoma (3, 43%), hemangioendothelial sarcoma (3, 43%), and osteosarcoma (1, 14%). Conclusion The most frequent carpal bones observed were the scaphoid, capitate, and hamate. Most tumors were benign. The most common tumor types were osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, and giant cell tumor. Metastatic carpal tumors were most commonly from lung carcinoma. Chondrosarcoma and hemangioendothelial sarcoma were the most common primary malignancies.

Background Literature on radiation exposure with use of the mini C-arm and value of having built-in laser guidance is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine whether laser guidance use on a mini C-arm fluoroscopy unit can reduce radiation exposure. Methods Surgeons (N = 25) performed the same simulated surgical task, which involved obtaining “perfect circle” views of 2 cannulated screws placed into a cadaveric wrist, done with and without C-arm laser guidance. The testing order was randomized. Main outcomes were time to complete the task, number of shots required to complete the task, number of blank shots taken, radiation exposure, total dose area product (DAP), and total exposure time. Results Laser guidance significantly reduced the percentage of surgeons who took blank shots, from 88% of the group without the laser to 12% of the group with the laser, and decreased the total average blank shots in the group from 3.5 to 0.1. While we found laser guidance led to shorter time to complete the task, decreased shots taken, and decreased exposure time and DAP, these findings only approached significance. Conclusion While debate continues regarding whether mini or standard C-arm is safest, it is clear that decreasing the overall number of exposures limits potential adverse effects. Our study demonstrated that when using a mini C-arm, laser guidance decreases the number of exposures required to capture an image. These findings warrant a larger study to define the specific exposure savings and indicate potential benefit of mini C-arm use with laser guidance.

Purpose: We compare outcomes of revision surgery for trapeziometacarpal (TM) arthritis with outcomes for both primary and revision surgery for TM arthritis reported in the literature. We hypothesized that patients undergoing revision surgery for TM arthritis would demonstrate pain and functional outcome scores that were worse than those of patients undergoing primary TM surgery. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing revision TM surgery at a single institution from 1995 to 2015 was performed. Eighty-three patients (86 hands) met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 25 patients (27 hands) were available for follow-up via phone survey or clinical examination; 58 patients (59 hands) were available for chart review only. Patients available for phone survey or clinical examination were evaluated with the visual analog scale, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, and the Conolly-Rath evaluation method. Patients available for clinical examination were also evaluated with grip strength, pinch strength, and radiographs. Results: Median follow-up was 8.5 years (range, 2.0-21.2 years). Twenty percent of patients experienced postoperative complications, most commonly pin problems (7%). Of the 27 hands available for interview or clinical examination, 15 were dominant and 12 were nondominant. The average visual analog scale was 28.2 (SD, 29.7). Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores averaged 32.0 (SD, 20.8). According to the Conolly and Rath criteria, 10 patients had a good outcome, 7 were fair, and 10 were poor. For the group of 13 patients who underwent physical examination, average adduction was 42° in the affected side versus 51° in the nonaffected side. Radial abduction was 58° in the affected side versus 65° in the nonaffected side. Palmar abduction was 53° versus 85° in each group, respectively. Tip finger pinch was 3.4 kg for the affected hand versus 4.0 kg for the nonaffected side. Key pinch was 4.7 and 5.5 kg, respectively. Grip strength was measured as 22.1 kg in the affected side versus 27.6 kg in the contralateral side when adjusted for dominance. Conclusions: In our study group, revision surgery for unsuccessful primary TM surgery demonstrated results inferior to those previously reported for primary surgery for TM arthritis but similar to prior studies of revision TM surgery. Revision surgery, however, can result in satisfactory long-term outcomes particularly when metacarpophalangeal joint pathology is addressed and complications are avoided. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.

Adams-Oliver syndrome is a rare congenital condition that should be considered in persons with terminal transverse limb deficiencies and scalp defects (aplasia cutis congenita). Broad phenotypic variability exists in this condition. In its more severe forms, Adams-Oliver syndrome can involve the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary system and should require prompt evaluation by appropriate subspecialists. Extremity involvement is typically bilateral and asymmetrical, with lower extremities involved more than upper extremities. Brachydactyly is the most common limb defect, and severity ranges from hypoplastic nails to complete absence of the distal limb. The syndrome has been described as resulting from autosomal dominant and recessive modes of inheritance, but most cases are sporadic. No gene has been identified. Although the exact pathogenic mechanism is unknown, a common hypothesis is that a vascular disturbance occurs in watershed areas, such as cranial vertex and limbs, during fetal development.

Proximal interphalangeal joint collateral ligament injuries are common; however, chronic instability of this joint is rare. In such cases, however, there is no consensus on optimal management. Various repairs and reconstructions have been devised, although the literature on outcomes remains scant. We present a method of reconstruction of the proximal interphalangeal joint collateral ligament using a distally based slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon. © 2016 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.

The distal radioulnar ligament reconstruction is a technique that may be used for distal radioulnar joint instability without arthritis and failed nonsurgical management; clinical results demonstrate resolved or improved stability. Recent literature has focused on the distal oblique bundle of the interosseous membrane and its contributions to stability. This article describes a technically simple surgical technique to reconstruct the distal oblique bundle and restore distal radioulnar joint stability. © 2015 American Society for Surgery of the Hand All rights reserved.

Background This study created an anatomic reconstruction of the distal oblique bundle (DOB) of the interosseous membrane to determine its effect on distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability and compare this technique with distal radioulnar ligament (DRUL) reconstruction. Questions/Purposes We hypothesized that this reconstruction would provide equivalent stability to DRUL reconstruction and that combining the two techniques would enhance stability. Methods Six cadaveric upper limbs were affixed to a custom frame. The volar/dorsal translation of the radius relative to the ulna was measured in 60° pronation, neutral, and 60° supination. Translation was sequentially measured with the DRUJ intact, with sectioned DRULs and triangular fibrocartilaginous complex (TFCC), and with sectioned DOBs. Reconstructions were performed on the DRULs, on the DOB tensioned in both neutral and supination, and employing both techniques. Results The DOB reconstruction, tensioned both in the neutral position and in 60° supination, was more stable than the partial and complete instability in 6/6 specimens in pronation and the neutral position and in 5/6 specimens in supination. The DOB reconstruction and the DOB reconstruction tensioned in supination were more stable than the DRUL reconstruction in 4/6 patients. Combining the two techniques did not further reduce translation. Conclusions The DOB reconstruction is capable of improving stability in the unstable DRUJ.