Subacute nerve compressions after trauma and surgery of the hand

BACKGROUND: It is accepted that major injuries of the upper limb may require not only fasciotomies but also nerve decompressions. That nerve compression(s) may occur after less dramatic injuries and "routine" surgery distal to the elbow is less well documented in the literature but well known to experienced clinicians. The aim of this study was to identify a possible link between injuries or elective surgery to the distal upper limb and "subacute nerve compressions." METHODS: Over a 5-year period, data of patients who developed clinical symptoms of nerve compressions distal to the elbow within 6 months after trauma or elective surgery to the same upper limb that affected postoperative management were collected prospectively. RESULTS: This study identified 91 patients (49 after trauma and 42 after elective surgery). Compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel was the most common syndrome (73 cases). Fasciectomy for Dupuytren's disease was the most frequent operation involved (23 cases). The average time from injury or surgery to diagnosis of nerve compression(s) was 8 weeks (range, 1 to 24 weeks). Surgical decompression of the involved nerves was performed in 43 patients (47.2 percent), with an average time from diagnosis to surgery of 30.4 weeks (range, 28 to 44 weeks). In the carpal tunnel syndrome group (47 men and 26 women), mean age was 49 years (men, 48 years; women, 50 years) and the male-to-female ratio was 1.8:1. CONCLUSION: Subacute nerve compressions should be considered as a complication during the recovery period after injury and surgery of the upper limb. ©2007American Society of Plastic Surgeons

DIEP flap with implant: a further option in optimising breast reconstruction

Recent advances in breast reconstruction allow for high expectations regarding long-term symmetry and aesthetic appearance. The DIEP flap is currently considered as an ideal autologous reconstruction. However, there are situations in which the amount of tissue from a DIEP flap is not enough to achieve adequate symmetry. Indications and outcomes for a combined use of DIEP flap and implants are discussed in order to describe and examine a further scenario in optimising breast reconstruction. Between January 2004 and January 2006, all patients who underwent combined DIEP/implant breast reconstruction have been collected and followed prospectively. When clinical assessment demonstrated inadequate amount of tissue in the abdominal region to achieve a suitable unilateral or bilateral reconstruction with DIEP flaps, the patients were counselled about the opportunity of primary augmentation of the DIEP flaps. In cases where DIEP breast reconstruction has been done previously and there is a considerable asymmetry, delayed flap augmentation was considered. Patient's age, indication for surgery, preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy (RT), operative procedure, implant size, location and timing of insertion, complications, outcomes, and follow-up have been gathered. In all cases, textured round silicone gel implants have been used. After 12 months, four-point scales were used to analyse patients' satisfaction and aesthetic outcome. During the study period, 156 patients underwent breast reconstruction with 174 DIEP flaps. Fourteen patients (8.9%) had breast reconstruction with 19 DIEP flaps and 18 implants. The mean follow-up was 20.6 months (range 12-32 months). Fourteen implants were placed primarily at the time of DIEP reconstruction. The average implant weight was 167.2 g with range between 100 and 230 g. Implant/flap weight ratio is about 1:5 corresponding to 20%. In six flaps, the patients had RT before the reconstruction, whilst in three cases of delayed DIEP flap augmentation the patients had RT after the DIEP post-mastectomy reconstruction. One infection and one haematoma, both followed by flap partial necrosis, occurred. After 12 months following the completion of reconstruction, aesthetic scores were all between good and excellent. Surgical indications and outcomes available from this series demonstrate that primary and delayed DIEP/implant augmentation can be a safe and effective option in optimising breast reconstruction with autologous tissue