Objective To pay attention to the diagnosis and treatment of the complications associated with closed multifractures in metacarpals. Methods From 1997 to 2000, out of 382 patients with closed multi-fractures in metacarpals, 12 had complications. In 7 cases of fractures at the second , third , fourth and fifth metacarpal shaft, complicated by acute compartment syndrome in hand, compartmental fascia were incised for decompress; open reduction and internal fixation were performed. In 4 cases of fractures at the metacarpal base, complicated by acute carpal tunnel syndrome, the fracture was reduced and fixed without transection of the transverse carpal ligament. In 1 case of fracture at metacarpalbase, complicated by direct contusion of the median nerve, the fracture was reduced without treatment of the median nerve. Results All patients were followed up for 3 months. Fracture healed 46 weeks postoperatively. No claw deformity anddysfunction of the median nerve occurred. The arc of motion of the proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints were normal.Conclusion During fracture reduction, we should pay attention to the complications associated with closed multi-fractures at metacarpal to decrease hand malfunction.
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: From 1998 to 1999, 10 cases of tarsal tunnel syndrome were reviewed, and the outcomes of operation were analyzed according to Pefeiffer’s method. Out of 10 cases, 6 were examined using electromyography preoperatively. RESULTS: After 1 to 2 year follow-up, postoperative outcomes were excellent in 5 cases, good in 4 cases, and poor in 1 case according Pefiffer’s methods. CONCLUSION: A combination of symptoms and physical signs, and electromyography may increase the diagnosis rate; and early operation will improve the therapy results.
Objective To demonstrate the anatomical and biomechanical basis of scaphoid ring sign in advanced Kienbock’s disease. Methods The study consisted of two sections. The ligaments stabilizing the proximal pole of the scaphoid were observed in 5 specimens. Under 12 kg dead weight load through the tendons of the flexion carpal radial, the flexion carpal ulnar, the extension carpal radial, and the extension carpal ulnar for 5 minutes, the stresses of the scaphoid fossa and lunate fossa were measured in the case of neutral, flexion, extension, radial deviation and ulnar deviation of the wrist joint under normal and rupture conditions respectively by FUJI prescale film and FPD-305E,306E.Results Based on anatomical study, the ligaments stabilizing the proximal pole of the scaphoid consisted of the radioscaphocapitate ligament, long radiolunate ligament and scapholunate interosseous ligament; and the latter two ligaments restricted dorsal subluxation of the proximalpole of the scaphoid. When compared rupture condition with normal condition, thescaphoid fassa stress of radial subregion was not significantly different (0.90±0.43 vs 0.85±0.15), and the ones of palmar, ulnar and dorsal subregions decreased (0.59±0.20, 0.52±0.05 and 0.58±0.23 vs 0.77±0.13, 0.75±0.08 and0.68±0.09) in the case of extension; the scaphoid fassa stresses of all subregions increased or had no difference in the case of neural, flexion, radial deviation and ulnar deviation. The lunate fossa stresses of all subregions increased in thecase of neural, and the ones of all subregions decreased or had no difference inthe case of flexion, extension, radial deviation and ulnar deviation.Conclusion Rotary scaphoid subluxation should be treated operatively at Ⅲ B stage of Kienbock’s disease to avoid traumatic arthritis of theradioscaphoid joint.
Objective To investigate the procedure and applications ofantegrade and retrograde dorsal metacarpal flaps with cutaneous branches as pedicles in repairing soft tissue defects of wrist and fingers. Methods From 1995 to 2003, we observed that the proximal and distal branches, deriving from the dorsal metacarpal artery, formed a consistent anastomosis arc subdermally. The anastomosis arc was paralleled to the dorsal metacarpal artery. Antegrade and retrograde dorsal metacarpal flaps could be designed using proximal anddistal branches as pedicles. Twenty-seven cases of soft tissue defects were treated by use of dorsal metacarpal flaps with cutaneous branches as pedicles, including 3 cases of defects on dorsum of hand with antegrade flaps, and 24 cases of defects on fingers with retrograde flaps ( index finger:12 cases; middle finger: 6 cases; ring finger: 4 cases; and little finger:2 cases). The dimensions of the antegrade flaps were 2.0 cm×4.0 cm~4.0 cm×6.0 cm, and the dimensions of theretrograde flaps were 2.5 cm×3.5 cm~3.0 cm×7.0 cm.The incision of the donor site was closed directly. Results All flaps survived. After a follow-up of 13 years, the texture and color of the flaps were good, and the shape and function of the donors were normal. Conclusion The antegrade or retrograde flap pedicled with the distal or proximal cutaneous branches of thedorsal metacarpal artery, is an optimal flap in repairing finger or wrist softtissue defects.
Objective To explore a suitable repairing method for skin defects of the foot and ankle, and to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the different repairing methods. Methods From January 2000 to October 2005, 36 patients with skin defects of the foot and ankle underwentthe repairing treatment, of whom 35 were males and 1 was female, aged 5-62 years, averaged 38 years. Of the 36 patients, 12 had an injury by a machine, 22 had a traffic accident, 1 had an infection, and 1 had a cold injury. And the injuries involved the dorsum of the foot, heel, forefoot, and medial or lateral malleolus. The injuries were respectively treated by 2 different repairing methods, the repair with the coverage by the lateral supramalleolar flaps and the repair with the coverage by the reverse sural neurocutaneous flaps. The skin defectsranged in area from 5 cm×4 cm to 20 cm×10 cm. The lateral supramalleolar flapwas used in 15 patients (15 flaps) with a flap area of 5 cm×4 cm-15 cm×8 cm,and the reverse sural neurocutaneous flap was used in 21 patients (22 flaps) with a flap area of 6 cm×4 cm20 cm×10 cm. We retrospectively observed the therapeutic results and compared the success rates of the two methods. Results Of the 36 patients, 15 underwent the repair with the coverage by 15 lateral supramalleolar flaps; 10 achieved a complete survival of the flaps, 2 developed an epidermal necrosis over the distal part, and 3 developed a complete necrosis.The other 21 patients underwent the repair with the coverage by 22 reverse sural neurocutaneous flaps. Of the 22 flaps, 21 had a complete survival, and only 1 failed to survive. The comparison revealed that there was no difference in the color, texture, and contour of the flaps between the 2 repaired groups. And the patients in the 2 groups were equally satisfied with the repairing treatments. The sensation of the flaps recovered to S0-S1. Conclusion The repairing of the foot and ankle skin defects with the coverage by the lateral supramalleolar flaps or by the reverse sural neurocutaneous flaps can achieve a similar good therapeutic result. However, the repair with the lateral supramalleolarflaps is more suitable for the skin defect of a smaller area over the medial orlateral malleolus, or the proximal dorsum of the foot; the repair with the reverse sural neurocutaneous flaps is more suitable for the skin defect of a larger area over the foot and ankle without serious destruction of the malleolar arterial rete.
Objective To compare the multidimensional clinical characteristics of patients with Wagner grade 4-5 diabetic foot (DF) according to the severity of lower extremity atherosclerotic occlusive disease and gender, and to provide clinical evidence for DF wound repair and comprehensive management. Methods Patients with DF who were admitted between January 2021 and June 2025 were enrolled. Eligible patients were included according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collected included general information (demographic characteristics, diabetes-related conditions, comorbidities, and risk factors), clinical indicators (laboratory results obtained within 48 hours of admission), and immune-inflammatory indices. The immune-inflammatory indices were calculated from ratios or weighted relationships among blood cell subsets based on laboratory findings within 48 hours after admission, and were used to reflect inflammatory status, immune profile, and nutritional status. According to lower extremity CT angiography findings, patients were divided into a non-significant stenosis group (patent trunk arteries or luminal stenosis <99%) and a diffuse occlusion group (multisegment trunk artery occlusion or luminal stenosis ≥99%). Univariate analysis was first performed, and variables (general information and clinical indicators) with significant differences were further assessed using logistic regression. In addition, the above indicators were compared between male and female patients. Results A total of 522 patients with DF were initially enrolled, and 104 patients were finally included in the analysis according to the selection criteria, including 73 males and 31 females. Based on lower extremity blood flow status, 44 patients were assigned to the non-significant stenosis group and 60 to the diffuse occlusion group. Among the 104 patients, 68 underwent amputation (65.38%), including 30 cases (44.1%) in the non-significant stenosis group and 38 cases (55.9%) in the diffuse occlusion group; the difference in amputation rate between the two groups was not significant (χ2=0.264, P=0.608). Univariate analysis showed that, compared with the non-significant stenosis group, the diffuse occlusion group had a higher proportion of female patients, older age, lower body mass index (BMI), and a higher prevalence of coronary heart disease. Laboratory examination showed lower neutrophil count, fasting blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin, but higher hemoglobin and albumin levels in the diffuse occlusion group. Among the immune-inflammatory indices, only the prognostic nutritional index was significantly higher. All of the above differences were significant (P<0.05). logistic regression analysis further showed that older age, female, coexisting coronary heart disease, higher neutrophil count, lower BMI, and higher hemoglobin level were independently associated with diffuse occlusion (P<0.05). Compared with female patients, male patients were younger and had a higher proportion of smokers. In laboratory examination, male patients had lower absolute lymphocyte counts but higher hemoglobin, total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, and procalcitonin levels. Among the immune-inflammatory indices, the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio were significantly higher. These differences were all significant (P≤0.05). Conclusion Patients with Wagner grade 4-5 DF with different lower extremity blood flow status exhibit significant differences in cardiovascular comorbidities, nutritional status, and inflammatory profiles. In addition, gender-related differences are also observed in vascular lesion characteristics, nutritional status, and inflammatory response. Therefore, comprehensive evaluation incorporating blood flow status, laboratory indicators, and gender-specific characteristics is warranted to develop more individualized treatment strategies, improve limb salvage, and optimize overall prognosis.
Objective To study the functional change of nerve trunk after removing the partial bundles of ulnar nerve, to propose the concept of functional reserve of peripheral nerves and to investigate the functional reserve quantity of peripheral nerves. Methods Two hundred and twenty SD rats (male or female), aging 3 months and weighing 300-350 g, were randomized into the experimental group and the control group (n=110 per group). And the experimental group wassubdivided into group 1/8, group 1/4, group 1/3, group 1/2 and group 2/3 according to the resection portion (n=22 per group). In the experimental group, the section of the lowest level on ulnar nerve trunks was exposed, and a certain portion of its bundles was separated and cut, while in the control group the bundles were only separated without resection. The general condition of all rats was observed, and the motoneurons in cornu anterius medullae spinal is were detected at 1 week, 2 weeks and 2 months after operation. The neuro-electrophysiology and the function of dominated muscles were detected at 2 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, and 4 months after operation. Results All the rats survived without infection and obvious ulcer in the l imbs. The number of motoneurons in cornu anterius medullae spinal is in various experimental subgroups witnessed no obvious changes (P gt; 0.05). The superstructure changed obviously at the early postoperative stage in group 1/2 and group 2/3, but restored well at 2 months after operation. For the latent period of evoked potential, there was no significant difference between the various experimental subgroups and the control group at each time point (P gt; 0.05), but there was a significant difference among the various experimental subgroups when compared the time points of 2, 3 and 4 months to that of 2 weeks (P lt; 0.05) and no statistically significant difference at other time points (P gt; 0.05). For the wave ampl itude of evoked potential of motor nerves, the maximum wave ampl itude and the persistence time of the dominate muscle, there were significant differences between the various experimental subgroups and the control group at each time point (P lt; 0.05), and there were significant differences among the various experimental subgroups when comparing the time points of 2, 3 and 4 months to that of 2 weeks (P lt; 0.05) and no statistical significance at other time points (Pgt; 0.05). Conclusion The functional reserve of the ulnar nerve withoutcompromise accounts the 1/3 of the whole trunk diameter.