Handchirurgie, Mikrochirurgie, plastische Chirurgie : Organ der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Handchirurgie : Organ der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Mikrochirurgie der Peripheren Nerven und Gefässe : Organ der Vereinigung der Deutschen Plastischen Chirurgen
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Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir · Feb 2010
Case Reports[The primarly overlooked scaphoid fracture--a diagnostic challenge?].
Scaphoid fractures represent the most common carpal bone fractures. These fractures may be overlooked due to insufficient diagnostics and lead to non-union and disability. A standardized diagnostic procedure with X-ray examinations, CT scans and/or MRI is recommended. We report on a case where a scaphoid fracture was overlooked, probably because of an incorrect technique of the computed tomography. ⋯ Early diagnosis and a correct description of the fracture pattern are of high value in the treatment of scaphoid fractures. X-rays combined with a CT scan or an MRI scan of the affected wrist are considered as the diagnostic standard. The reported case demonstrates that even with a thin thickness layer CT scan in axial planes, a scaphoid fracture can be overlooked. Therefore we recommend after primarily inconspicuous X-rays a CT scan with primary -oblique-sagittal layers in the longitudinal axis of the scaphoid. If this shows no fracture and the clinical suspicion persists, an MRI scan should be performed.
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Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir · Feb 2010
[Increased sympathetic activity assessed by spectral analysis of heart rate variability in patients with CRPS I].
The complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I) is a painful neuropathic disorder with an antecedent disproportionate trauma leading to spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia, impaired motor function, swelling, changes in sweating and vascular abnormalities without nerve injury. Whether this syndrome is the result of central or peripheral autonomic dysfunction is still a matter of debate. The purpose of this study was to determine the activity of the sympathetic nervous system in patients with CRPS I by power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. ⋯ Our results support the hypothesis that the pathogenesis of the early stage CRPS I might be related to an increased sympathetic activity. By assessing the autonomic influence on the heart rate variability in CRPS I patients we could also conclude that this disturbance occurs rather at a central level.
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Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir · Feb 2010
[Complex regional pain syndrome versus chronic regional pain syndrome (Hand-Finger Syndrome)].
Dystrophy is a main factor of CRPS. A large number of patients do not develop dystrophy but, instead, they suffer from pain with limitation in movement, possible paraesthesia and/or swelling. This is then a chronic regional pain syndrome or (shoulder-arm-) hand-finger syndrome. ⋯ These patients can recover quickly when the right diagnosis is made in good time. 2) Limitation of movement due to scar, neuroma, or elongation pain: a) bizarre functional disabilities can develop; b) due to the patient's complaints, one or several operations would finally be performed, which will not lead to an improvement but rather to an aggravation of the pain; c) socially-induced purposeful pain increase, the typical statement of the patient will be: "I can't stand it any longer". Patients who are socially over-burdened, or have psycho-social problems, may experience a decline of performance or a post-traumatic stress disorder. Several patients will be introduced as illustrations for each of the relevant groups.
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Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir · Dec 2009
Local perforator flaps in soft tissue reconstruction of the upper limb.
The quality of reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the upper extremity, resulting either from traumatic injury or tumor excision, has relevant implications both from functional and aesthetic standpoints. Various local and free flaps with more or less consistent donor-site morbidity have been described in the past. The recent introduction of the perforator-based flap concept, has led to an evolution in upper extremity reconstruction, optimizing results at the recipient site whilst minimizing damage to the donor site and, performing this in the simplest way possible. ⋯ In the light of this they can be considered among the surgical choices to resurface complex soft tissue defects of the upper extremity. Preoperative identification of the perforators in case of "transposition flaps" greatly facilitates the operation. In our experience echo color Doppler investigations provided reliable results.
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Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir · Dec 2009
[Abdominal morbidity following TRAM flap breast reconstruction--patient-reported outcome measures].
Excellent aesthetic outcomes have been demonstrated with TRAM flap breast reconstruction. However, abdominal wall morbidity after TRAM flap breast reconstruction has not been accurately evaluated in terms of patient symptoms or patient quality of life. To further examine this issue, we performed a cross-sectional survey of TRAM flap breast reconstruction patients utilising questions from a patient-related outcome measure questionnaire. ⋯ We found a relatively low frequency of abdominal symptoms in the TRAM flap patients as a whole. However, there was a tendency towards increased abdominal symptoms in the pedicled TRAM patients compared to the free TRAM patients. As the population sizes in this study are somewhat limited, future studies with increased patient numbers may find greater differences between pedicled and free TRAM patients. In addition, studies evaluating the patients' abdominal wall symptoms pre- and postoperatively may allow for a detailed analysis of abdominal wall morbidity in post-mastectomy TRAM patients.