BackgroundThe aims of this study were to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with combined anterior instability and superior labrum from anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions, and to analyze the effect of concomitant SLAP repair on surgical outcomes.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent arthroscopic stabilization for anterior shoulder instability between January 2004 and March 2013. A total of 120 patients were available for at least 1-year follow-up. Forty-four patients with reparable concomitant detached SLAP lesions (group I) underwent combined SLAP and anterior stabilization, and 76 patients without SLAP lesions (group II) underwent anterior stabilization alone. Patient characteristics, preoperative and postoperative pain scores, Rowe scores, and shoulder ranges of motion were compared between the 2 groups.ResultsPatients in group I had higher incidences of high-energy trauma (p = 0.03), worse preoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) (p = 0.02), and Rowe scores (p = 0.04). The postoperative pain VAS and Rowe scores improved equally in both groups without significant differences. Limitation in postoperative range of motion was similar between the groups (all p-value > 0.05).ConclusionsAnterior instability with SLAP lesion may not be related to frequent episodes of dislocation but rather to a high-energy trauma. SLAP fixation with anterior stabilization procedures did not lead to poor functional outcomes if appropriate surgical techniques were followed.

Background:Recent studies have suggested that the presence of a pathological fracture does not impact on oncologic outcomes and the feasibility of limb salvage surgery (LSS) in appropriately selected patients when combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These have largely been single institutional studies with limited numbers. The Eastern Asian Musculoskeletal Oncology Group reviewed the data from three large volume Asian orthopedic oncology centers to determine whether the presence of a pathologic fracture affected outcomes in osteosarcoma patients.Methods:A retrospective review of the data was conducted. Ninety-five cases of nonmetastatic extremity osteosarcoma with a pathological fracture and 887 cases without fracture treated during the same period were compared.Results:In the fracture group, the LSS rate was 62.1%, and the rate of amputation was 37.9%. In the nonfracture group, the LSS rate was 74.7%, and the amputation was 25.3%. In patients with a pathologic fracture, the rate of local recurrence for LSS and amputation groups was 8.5% and 2.8%, respectively. In this group, the 5-year survival in the LSS group was 66% as against. 46.8% in the amputation group.Conclusions:Our study suggests that surgically treated patients with pathologic fractures in osteosarcoma have adequate local control and do not have a poorer outcome compared to patients without a fracture. Though osteosarcoma with a pathologic fracture is not a contraindication for limb salvage, appropriate case selection is important when deciding local control options to ensure adequate oncologic clearance.

Background: Various techniques of opponensplasty have been developed with the aim of restoring the thumb function. The modified Camitz opponensplasty is a simple technique done together with an open carpal tunnel release. It restores thumb palmar abduction soon after the procedure, during such time that the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) is still recovering. The aim of this study was to assess the recovery and level of activity of the abductor pollicis brevis and palmaris longus (PL) muscles during thumb opposition and abduction after performing the modified Camitz opponensplasty. Methods: The records of 21 patients who underwent modified Camitz opponensplasty for severe carpal tunnel syndrome were reviewed. Thumb function was evaluated using the Van Wetter Apogee test, Kapandji index, tripod pinch strength, and power grip. Electromyography was utilized to evaluate APB recovery; ultrasonography was employed to evaluate PL activity. Results: Twenty patients reached 80% of the abduction height of the contralateral hand; the Kapandji index was good in thirteen. Palmaris longus activity was evaluated together with the APB muscle recovery. There was significant improvement in the average grip strength and average tripod pinch strength. However, this did not correlate with the degree of neurologic and muscular recovery of the APB. We surmise that the palmaris longus augmented the abductor pollicis brevis muscle even in those with full muscle recovery. Conclusions: The modified Camitz opponensplasty is a practical option for patients suffering from severe carpal tunnel syndrome with diminished thumb function.

Replantation of an amputated limb is generally contraindicated in crushing and traction injuries. Injury to muscle tissue and skin also creates difficulties in coverage, and bony fractures may shorten limb length which can impede lower extremity function. Numerous cases have been reported on the successful replantation of the lower limb in children; however, review of previous English literature has documented only very few replantation at the thigh level, and those with severe crushing injury resulted in subsequent amputation. We report a case of successful thigh-level replantation in a 3-year-old child who sustained a crushing–traction type of injury with a follow-up of 24 years. After the replantation, early and late complications developed but these were successfully managed. On her last visit, the patient had pain-free ambulation without assistance, had intact protective sensation distal to the injury, and was very satisfied with the outcome. Replantation of the lower limb in children with crushing or avulsion type of injuries is still a worthwhile procedure. However, both the patient and the family should be aware that multiple surgeries may be needed to accommodate to long-term complications such as joint stiffness, scar contractures, and limb length discrepancies.

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