Cold intolerance is a well-known phenomenon that develops in the first months after hand injury and generally does not decrease over time. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence and severity of cold intolerance after hand fracture in 129 patients using the Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity (CISS) questionnaire. Patients with nerve and/or vascular injuries were excluded. The response rate was 59%. The mean CISS score was 23. Pathological cold intolerance, defined as a CISS score over 30, was experienced by 38% of the patients. Cold intolerance is common after hand fractures and can be severely disabling in some patients.

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We assessed functional results after treatment of phalangeal fractures in severely injured hands. Our aim was to quantify digital functional loss with (combinations of) risk factors of unsatisfactory function. Patients who had multiple phalangeal fractures necessitating operation in a 10-year time period were tested, using measurements of total active movement. Seventy-eight patients with 228 phalangeal fractures were available for follow-up. In 88 fingers, the fractures ended in amputation and were excluded from the study. In the resulting 140 fractures, 74 (53%) had a good result (movement >180degrees for fingers 2-5, and >98degrees for the thumb), and 66 (47%) in an unsatisfactory result. Associated soft tissue injury, level of injury, and arthrodesis were risk factors for diminished function. Intra-articular fractures and multiple fractures within the same finger predisposed to arthrodesis. Despite the extensive and severe injuries more than half had good results, which is comparable with reports describing hand injuries with less extensive trauma.

Background: Healing of a cervical esophagogastrostomy is frequently impaired, resulting in a higher incidence of leakage and stricture formation, as compared to an intrathoracic anastomosis. Lack of mesothelial factors is hypothesized to contribute to this impaired anastomotic healing. The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether a free peritoneal patch around a cervical esophagogastrostomy can improve anastomotic healing. Methods: In 23 consecutive patients a free peritoneal patch was fixed around a cervical esophagogastrostomy. Results were compared to those of a historical control group of 41 patients. Clinical and/or radiographic leakage and stenosis requiring endoscopic dilatation were used as endpoints. Results: Three patients died in the early postoperative period (in-hospital mortality 3/64 = 5%). Leakage rate was 13% (3/23) in the group with a patch and 15% (6/41) in the control group (p = 0.90). At 6-month follow-up, the incidence of stenosis was significantly higher (65%) in the group with a patch, compared to 31% in the control group (p = 0.02). Conclusion: A peritoneal patch does not affect the leakage rate but increases the incidence of postoperative stenosis of a cervical esophagogastrostomy. Therefore, its clinical application is contraindicated.

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