Raynaud's syndrome contributes to the pain, paraesthesia, ulceration, and gangrene of scleroderma. Botulinum toxin has been shown to improve digital perfusion in patients with Raynaud's. This is the first study to objectively assess hand function following this treatment in patients with scleroderma. Twenty patients were treated with 100 units of botulinum toxin injected into the hand. An assessment of hand function and symptoms was performed prior to injection and then 8-12 weeks later. The outcomes assessed were change in pain, appearance, cold intolerance, pinch and power grip, ranges of movement, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. In total, 80% of patients reported an overall improvement in their symptoms, reduction in pain, and improved DASH score and 65% reported improvement in cold intolerance. Overall, 90% showed an improvement in pinch grip and 65% an improvement in power grip. Objective parameters were statistically significantly improved; however, subjective outcomes only showed a trend. We have found botulinum toxin to be an effective treatment for Raynaud's syndrome secondary to scleroderma.

This technique was associated with a low risk of surgical site occurrences and hernia recurrence, with no requirements for mesh explantation. Repair of such complex incisional hernias remains challenging, and further randomized controlled trials are required to elucidate the optimal method of closure and mesh type.

Background: Surgery for hand trauma accounts for a significant proportion of the plastic surgery training curriculum. The aim of this study was to create a standardized simulation training module for hand fracture fixation with Kirschner wire (K-wire) techniques for residents to create a standardized hand training framework that universally hones their skill and prepares them for their first encounter in a clinical setting. Methods: A step-ladder approach training with 6 levels of difficulty on 3-dimensional (3D) printed ex vivo hand biomimetics was employed on a cohort of 20 plastic surgery residents (n = 20). Assessment of skills using a score system (global rating scale) was performed in the beginning and at the end of the module by hand experts of our unit. Results: The overall average scores of the cohort before and after assessment were 23.75/40 (59.4%) and 34.7/40 (86.8%), respectively. Significant ( P < 0.01) difference of improvement of skills was noted on all trainees. All trainees confirmed that the simulated models provided in this module were akin to the patient scenario and noted that it helped them improve their skills with regard to K-wire fixation techniques, including improvement of their understanding of the 3D bone topography. Conclusions: We demonstrate a standardized simulation training framework that employs 3D printed ex vivo hand biomimetics proved to improve the skills of residents and that paves the way to more universal, standardized and validated training across hand surgery. This is, to our knowledge, the first standardized method of simulated training on such hand surgical cases.

Background: To report on the results of free medial femoral condyle (MFC) vascularized bone graft for scaphoid nonunions with 1 or more poor prognostic factors. Methods: We have used the free MFC vascularized bone graft for scaphoid nonunions that have 1 or more factors associated with a poor prognosis. These were, a delay in presentation of over 5 years, a proximal pole nonunion, the presence of avascular necrosis (AVN), or previous nonunion surgery. We used this technique on 20 patients over a 4.5-year period. Results: Our overall union rate was 88.5% (17 of 19 patients), with 1 patient failing to attend for follow-up. Our mean union time was 7 months (2-18). All patients had at least 1 poor prognostic factor and over half had 2 or more. Of those with AVN with or without other factors, the union rate was 85% (11 of 13). There were 2 donor site complications that required a further procedure and 2 patients with residual wrist pain that required a scapho-trapezio-trapezoid joint fusion and a radial styloidectomy, respectively. Both nonunions were offered further surgery, and 1 elected to undergo successful revision surgery. Conclusions: Overall, this technique showed good results, in a subgroup of patients that typically have poorer outcomes, with a low incidence of donor site morbidity. Our union rate compares favorably with other techniques for this difficult subset of patients with 1 or more poor prognostic factors, although results are clearly not as good as those of studies using the MFC graft for all scaphoid nonunions. We continue to reserve this technique for nonunions with 1 or more poor prognostic factors, and we believe that this technique should at least be considered in these patients.

Summary Mallet finger deformity is a common and debilitating injury of the fingertip, accounting for 10% of all tendon and ligament injuries. It involves a disruption of the terminal extensor mechanism of the distal phalanx. Patients can experience significant pain and swelling of the fingertip and have significant morbidity without treatment. Nonoperative treatment using joint immobilization with splints is the mainstay of management. Traditionally, prefabricated and thermoplastic splints have been utilized; however, issues with comfort and skin complications such as maceration can lead to patient noncompliance and eventually, poor outcomes. To address this, we demonstrate our experience with the design, manufacture, and application of individualized 3D printed mallet finger splints. The splints were found to provide advantages akin to traditional thermoplastic splints, with the addition of being low cost, easy to manufacture, and environmentally friendly.

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