Background: Open trigger finger release (OTFR) and endoscopic trigger finger release (ETFR) are effective methods in treating stenosing tenosynovitis. However, a paucity of literature exists comparing the techniques. This study describes and compares postoperative complications following OTFR and ETFR at a single institution. Methods: Patients undergoing trigger finger release between 2018 and 2020 within a single institution were identified. Electronic medical records were reviewed for patient demographics, surgical history, surgical characteristics, and clinical outcomes. Major and minor postoperative complications were assessed. Secondary outcome measures included tourniquet time and procedure time. Statistical analysis evaluated associations between postoperative complications, surgical technique, patient demographics, and surgical characteristics. Results: In total, 57 patients (80 digits) were included in the study: 42 digits treated with OTFR and 38 digits treated with ETFR. Mean follow-up time was 57.6 ± 69.0 days (range, 7-307 days) for ETFR and 34.2 ± 26.3 days (range, 6-120 days) for OTFR. Overall, major, and minor complication rates for the cohort were 8.8%, 1.8% and 7.0%, respectively. There were no major complications following ETFR and 1 following OTFR (4%), the isolated case being postoperative Chronic regional pain syndrome. Minor complication rates were similar following OTFR (8%) and ETFR (6%). Persistent digit stiffness and swelling were found to be the most prevalent minor complications (n = 2, respectively), followed by wound dehiscence (n = 1). Female patients were significantly more likely to experience postoperative complications. Conclusions: Major complications following trigger finger release are unlikely; however, minor complications are prominent. Patients treated with OTFR and ETFR showed similar postoperative complication rates. Continued investigations into the benefits of ETFR are warranted.
We report here the complete genome sequence of Pseudomonas sp. strain NC02, isolated from soil in eastern Massachusetts. We assembled PacBio reads into a single closed contig with 132× mean coverage and then polished this contig using Illumina MiSeq reads, yielding a 6,890,566-bp sequence with 61.1% GC content.
Background: This study aimed to examine the relationship between anatomical surface landmarks in fresh frozen cadavers as related to in vivo endoscopic trigger finger release (ETFR) and present clinical outcomes after a single-portal antegrade ETFR technique. Methods: Endoscopic trigger finger release was performed on 40 cadaveric digits. Each digit was dissected and the following measurements were recorded: distance from palmar digital crease and A1 pulley, length of the A1 pulley, percentage of A1 pulley released, and injury to vulnerable anatomy. A retrospective chart review was performed on 48 patients (62 digits) treated with ETFR. Outcome measures included grip and pinch strength, range of motion, Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaires, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores. Results: Release of the A1 pulley was achieved in 33 of the 40 cadaveric digits (83%) with an A2 pulley laceration rate of 25%. No flexor tendon or neurovascular injuries occurred. Gross grasp, lateral pinch, 3-jaw chuck, and precision pinch strength had 85%, 90%, 82%, and 90% recovery, respectively. At the final follow-up, average metacarpophalangeal joint, proximal interphalangeal joint, and distal interphalangeal joint range of motion were within the normal limits. Mean VAS scores decreased from 5.7 preoperatively to 1.0 postoperatively and mean DASH score at the final follow-up was 4.8. Conclusions: With the use of anatomical surface landmarks, ETFR may be performed in an efficient and reproducible manner. Patients treated with ETFR had low complication rates, good functional recovery, and improved pain at short-term follow-up. Further study of long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness of ETFR is warranted.
Bdellovibrio are predatory bacteria that attack and kill Gram‐negative bacteria. They are found in a range of environments, including soil, water, and living organisms, but little is known about Bdellovibrio in the built environment. Surfaces, such as drains, are ideal for biofilm formation, which may provide stable prey sources for predatory bacteria. Investigating Bdellovibrio from the built environment will broaden our understanding of variation in prey range and predation efficiency and contribute to the development of predatory bacteria as biocontrol agents for use in settings such as hospital buildings.To test for the presence of predatory bacteria in built environment sites, we collected swab samples, extracted metagenomic DNA, and performed PCR with Bdellovibrio‐specific primers. Using this approach, we detected evidence of Bdellovibrio in a janitorial closet drain at Providence College. To obtain pure isolates, we made enrichments by combining swab samples from the drain with either Raoultella, a Gram‐negative bacterium previously isolated from a freshwater site, or E. coli ML35. Six predatory bacteria isolates were obtained using Raoultella as prey, and one was obtained using E. coli. Plaque features of each isolate on double agar overlay plates varied in size, shape, and appearance.To classify the isolates, we sequenced the 16S rRNA gene and found that the ~1300 bp sequence was identical for all isolates. This 16S rRNA gene sequence has 95%‐96% identity to Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, suggesting the isolates are within the Bdellovibrio genus. We then generated short read sequencing data for each isolate using Illumina and performed de novo assembly using SPAdes. These assemblies yielded 2–11 contigs. Using the isolate with two contigs as a reference, we aligned each draft assembly and found at least 99% nucleotide identity across the full length of each contig. Given the identical 16S rRNA genes and the high sequence similarity among draft genome assemblies, this suggests that all seven Bdellovibrio isolates from the drain are representatives of a clonal population, but they are demonstrating plasticity in plaque phenotype. An alternative hypothesis is that small differences in gene sequences or gene content underlie the variation in plaque phenotype. To test these hypotheses, we are working on generating a complete genome using long read sequencing with PacBio.To understand variation in prey range, we challenged three of the Bdellovibrio isolates from the drain with eight Gram‐negative prey. Each isolate attacked the same two prey strains (Raoultella and E. coli ML35). This narrow prey range suggests that these Bdellovibrio may be prey specialists. We are isolating multiple prey strains from the drain to provide insight into plaque phenotype and prey range variation. Moving forward we will test predation efficiency using a variety of Gram‐negative bacteria. This work will contribute to our understanding and development of predatory bacteria and may inform their use in biofilm control and as an antibiotic alternative.Support or Funding InformationResearch reported in this poster was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number 2 P20 GM103430 and startup funding from Providence College.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.