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Background:. Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR), a surgical technique developed by the senior authors that coapts proximal ends of nerves to distal motor nerves of adjacent muscles, has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment and prevention of neuroma pain. The objective of this study is to describe the surgical technique for TMR of the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) and deep peroneal nerve (DPN) in nonamputee patients and provide data on postoperative functional outcomes. Methods:. A single-institution retrospective chart review was performed between March 2018 and April 2021. Patients were de-identified and included if they were nonamputees receiving TMR for pain in the peroneal nerve distribution. Data extracted included demographic information, symptoms before operation, relevant nerve coaptation, peri-, and postoperative complications, and long-term functional outcomes. Results:. Of the 19 patients reviewed, 11 patients underwent TMR of the SPN alone: eight had complete resolution of their symptoms; two indicated partial improvement in pain; and one patient had no improvement. Four patients underwent TMR of the DPN alone: two patients had complete resolution of their pain, and two patients had partial improvement with pain. Four patients underwent TMR of both the SPN/DPN: two patients had complete resolution of their symptoms, and two patients were noted to have significant improvement but had persistent pain from prior foot operations. Average follow-up time was 260 days. Conclusions:. TMR is a successful technique in the management of SPN and DPN neuroma pain. Our technique revealed excellent clinical outcomes, no procedure-specific complications, and improved subjective pain reports.

Background:. The potential for opioid prescription medication addiction and abuse has been a growing concern in healthcare. It is not uncommon for hand surgery patients to be overprescribed opioid medication for postoperative pain management. The objective of this study was to characterize changes in opioid prescription practices of hand surgeons treating Medicare Part D patients from 2013 to 2019. Methods:. A retrospective analysis of Medicare Part D prescriber data from 2013 to 2019 was conducted. This database provides information on drugs paid for under the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program. For each prescriber and medication, the dataset includes the total number of prescriptions dispensed (original prescriptions and number of refills), and total medication cost. Results:. In 2013, the 10 most common medications prescribed totaled 114,409 prescriptions, with 89,701 (78.4%) opioid prescriptions. In 2019, the 10 most common medications prescribed totaled 164,955 prescriptions, with 109,665 (66.5%) opioid prescriptions. Although total opioid prescriptions dropped, there was a 22% increase in the total number of prescriptions written. The two most common medications prescribed, hydrocodone-acetaminophen and oxycodone-acetaminophen, totaled 75,796 in 2013, compared with 76,518 in 2019. The overall number of prescriptions for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increased by 157%, and the percentage of total opioids prescribed declined by 7.9%. Conclusions:. The increase in total opioid prescriptions from 2013 to 2019 by hand surgeons in the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program lags behind the recommended shift to nonopioid pain management. The reasons for the overall rise in prescriptions deserve further exploration.

Background:. Many orthopedic and surgical oncologists use a multidisciplinary approach to soft tissue sarcoma (STS) resection. This study assesses the role of immediate plastic surgeon involvement during index soft tissue sarcoma resection. Methods:. Adult patients who underwent index STS resection between 2005 and 2018 were queried from an institutional database. Main outcomes analyzed were 90-day same-site reoperation, any-cause readmission, and wound healing complications. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify risk factors. Additional evaluation was then performed for the following two cohorts: patients with and without plastic surgeon involvement. Results:. In total, 228 cases were analyzed. Multivariate regression demonstrated the following predictors for 90-day wound-healing complications: plastic surgery intervention [OR = 0.321 (0.141–0.728), P = 0.007], operative time [OR = 1.003 (1.000–1.006), P = 0.039], and hospital length of stay [OR = 1.195 (1.004–1.367), P = 0.010]. For 90-day readmission, operative time [OR = 1.004 (1.001–1.007), P = 0.023] and tumor stage [OR = 1.966 (1.140–3.389), P = 0.015] emerged as multivariate predictors. Patients whose resection included a plastic surgeon experienced similar primary outcomes despite these patients having expectedly longer operative times (220 ± 182 versus 108 ± 67 minutes, P < 0.001) and hospital length of stay (3.99 ± 3.69 versus 1.36 ± 1.97 days, P < 0.001). Conclusions:. Plastic surgeon involvement emerged as a significant protector against 90-day wound healing complications. Cases that included plastic surgeons achieved similar complication rates in all categories relative to cases without plastic surgery intervention, despite greater operative time, hospital length of stay, and medical complications.

Amputations have been performed with few modifications since the dawn of surgery. Blood vessels are ligated, bones are shortened, and nerves are cut. In a percentage of people, this can result in severe neuropathic, residual limb, and phantom limb pain. Targeted muscle reinnervation is a surgical procedure initially conceived to optimize function for myoelectric prostheses in amputees. Recently, it has been adopted more widely by surgeons for the prevention and treatment of neuropathic pain. Perhaps as a function of its relatively recent development, many authors perform this operation differently, and there has been no overall agreement regarding the principles, indications, technical specifics, and postoperative management guidelines. This article is written as a consensus statement by surgeons focused on the treatment of neuropathic pain and those with extensive experience performing targeted muscle reinnervation. It is designed to serve as a roadmap and template for extremity surgeons to consider when performing targeted muscle reinnervation.

Purpose: Despite advancements in surgical techniques, suture pull-though and rupture continue to limit the early range of motion and functional rehabilitation after flexor tendon repairs. The aim of this study was to evaluate a suturable mesh compared with a commonly used braided suture in an in vivo rabbit intrasynovial tendon model. Methods: Twenty-four New Zealand female rabbits (3–4 kg) were injected with 2 units/kg botulinum toxin evenly distributed into 4 sites in the left calf. After 1 week, the animals underwent surgical tenotomy of the flexor digitorum tendon and were randomized to repair with either 2-0 Duramesh suturable mesh or to 2-0 Fiberwire using a 2-strand modified Kessler and 6-0 polypropylene running epitendinous suture. Rabbits were killed at 2, 4, and 9 weeks after surgery. Results: Grouping across time points, 58.3% (7 of 12) of Duramesh repairs were found to be intact for the explant compared with 16.7% (2 of 12) of Fiberwire repairs (P = .09). At 2 weeks, the mean Duramesh repairs were significantly stronger than the Fiberwire repairs with a mean failure load of 50.7 ± 12.7 N compared to 14.8 ± 18.3 N (P = .02). The load supported by the Duramesh repairs at 2 weeks (mean 50.7 ± 12.7 N) was similar to the load supported by both Fiberwire (52.2 ± 13.6 N) and Duramesh (57.6 ± 22.3 N) at 4 weeks. The strength of repair between Fiberwire and Duramesh at 4 weeks and 9 weeks was not significantly different. Conclusions: The 2-strand tendon repair with suturable mesh achieved significantly greater strength at 2 weeks than the conventional suture material. Future studies should evaluate the strength of repair prior to 2 weeks to determine the strength curve for this novel suture material. Clinical Relevance: This study evaluates the utility of a novel suturable mesh for flexor tendon repair in an in vivo rabbit model compared with conventional suture material.

Introduction:. We describe a reliable approach for double nerve transfer of the medial triceps branch and thoracodorsal nerve to the axillary nerve to increase axonal input. We present a review of outcomes for both end-to-end and reverse end-to-side nerve transfer. Methods:. A retrospective review of patients who underwent nerve transfer for improvement of shoulder abduction at Harborview Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial Hospital between 2012 and 2021 was conducted. Patients were prospectively contacted to fill out a 30 item Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, with an option to upload a video demonstrating active range of motion. Results:. Twenty-one patients with 23 affected extremities were included in the final analysis. Fifteen patients completed the prospective arm of the study (71% response rate). Seventy-nine percent of patient limbs achieved a Medical Research Council Motor Scale (MRC-MS) of 4 or greater, and measured shoulder abduction active range of motion (AROM) was 139.2 degrees (range, 29–174 degrees) and 140.9 degrees (range, 60–180 degrees) (P = 0.95) for end-to-end and reverse end-to-side, respectively. Comparing end-to-end with reverse end-to-side neurorrhaphy, outcomes, including follow-up, mean postoperative MRC-MS, mean change in MRC-MS, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, abduction AROM, and flexion AROM, were not statistically different. Conclusions:. We showed improvements in shoulder abduction with the thoracodorsal nerve, in addition to the medial triceps branch, to increase axonal donation and power the axillary nerve without sacrificing the spinal accessory nerve. Furthermore, we demonstrated improvements with reverse end-to-side coaptation when intraoperative stimulation of the axillary nerve revealed residual function.

Background:. Plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) residency training can be completed through multiple pathways. Current residents’ experiences regarding these different routes have not been previously described. The objective of the present study was to describe the educational pathways taken by current PRS residents in the United States. We hypothesized that there would be a small cohort of current PRS residents who were initially unsuccessful in matching into an integrated residency. Methods:. An online survey was sent to PRS residents across all training years from October 2020 to January 2021. The survey collected information about residents’ match history, experience after not matching, and narrative comments on their route to residency. Public match data from the past 20 years (2001–2021) were also summarized with descriptive statistics. Results:. One hundred seventy-four residents responded (response rate 15%; 174/1158). Of these, 133 applied to integrated programs as senior medical students, and 15 (11%) did not match after applying as a senior medical student. Unmatched applicants took multiple different routes to PRS, including participating in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program, reapplying, transferring after some general surgery training, and completing an independent PRS residency. Three-fourths (76%) of independent program residents did not originally apply to the integrated match. Conclusions:. An initial unsuccessful match result does not portend that one will not be able to train for a career in PRS. Our findings illustrate the potential routes to successful completion of PRS residency training, both for unmatched applicants and residents who develop later interest in PRS.

Background:. The 2019 novel coronavirus created unique challenges for the integrated plastic surgery match. The goal of this study was to evaluate the trends of the 2020 and 2021 integrated plastic surgery match specifically related to the 2019 novel coronavirus. Methods:. Three separate individual surveys were designed for integrated plastic surgery program directors and applicants from the 2021 to 2020 match. The surveys were distributed to the email addresses of applicants that applied to our institution’s integrated residency program. Information of current interns and newly matched applicants from program websites and certified social media accounts were recorded. Results:. We received completed surveys from 19 of the 69 program directors for a response rate of 27.5%. The survey for the 2020 and 2021 match applicants was completed by 25 and 68 applicants, respectively, for a response rate of 6.1% and 21.9%. There was a significant difference in the average number of completed virtual subinternships between applicants that did and did not successfully match into plastic surgery (1.48 versus 0.36, P = 0.01). The rate of students matching at their home institution was the highest in 2021 at 26% compared to 2020 (18%) and 2019 (15%). Conclusions:. The results of this study demonstrate that applicants were more likely to match at programs with which they had established previous connections, including home institutions. Applicants also had a higher likelihood to match if they completed a virtual subinternship during the 2021 match. Learning points can be applied to the upcoming application cycle to improve the overall experience.

When reconstructing a congenital floating thumb, we describe two children in whom preservation of all five digits is achieved through successful transfer of a thoracodorsal artery perforator (TAP) flap and vascularized scapula. Key words: Chimera flap, congenital anomaly, floating thumb, hand, thumb

Summary:. Symmetric peripheral gangrene (SPG) affects peripheral tissues of critically ill patients and can have severe disfiguring and debilitating effects. It can occur in the setting of multiple conditions, and it is associated with the use of vasopressors. There are no evidence-based treatments available for patients who develop SPG. Botulinum toxin has emerged as a potential therapy in vasospastic disorders, and we hypothesized that it may be used in the treatment of tissue ischemia in critically ill patients on vasopressors. We present a case of a patient who developed vasopressor-associated SPG and who experienced complete resolution after local injection with botulinum toxin. While the action of botulinum toxin on skeletal muscle is best understood, it has also been demonstrated to attenuate the release of multiple vasoconstrictive factors that impact vascular smooth muscle and modulate calcium and nitric oxide. These effects may result in vasodilation and improvement of cutaneous ischemia when injected locally. Clinicians may consider this local therapy in the treatment of vasopressor-associated symmetric peripheral gangrene.

Background:. More than 75% of major limb amputees experience chronic pain; however, data on severity and experience of pain are inconsistent. Without a benchmark using quantitative patient-reported outcomes, it is difficult to critically assess the efficacy of novel treatment strategies. Our primary objective is to report quantitative pain parameters for a large sample of amputees using the validated Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement System (PROMIS). Secondarily, we hypothesize that certain patient factors will be associated with worse pain. Methods:. PROMIS and Numerical Rating Scales for residual limb pain (RLP) and phantom limb pain (PLP) were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of upper and lower extremity amputees recruited throughout North America via amputee clinics and websites. Demographics (gender, age, race, and education) and clinical information (cause, amputation level, and time since amputation) were collected. Regression modeling identified factors associated with worse pain scores (P < 0.05). Results:. Seven hundred twenty-seven surveys were analyzed, in which 73.4% reported RLP and 70.4% reported PLP. Median residual PROMIS scores were 46.6 [interquartile range (IQR), 41–52] for RLP Intensity, 56.7 (IQR, 51–61) for RLP Behavior, and 55.9 (IQR, 41–63) for RLP Interference. Similar scores were calculated for PLP parameters: 46.8 (IQR, 41–54) for PLP Intensity, 56.2 (IQR, 50–61) for PLP Behavior, and 54.6 (IQR, 41–62) for PLP Interference. Female sex, lower education, trauma-related amputation, more proximal amputation, and closer to time of amputation increased odds of PLP. Female sex, lower education, and infection/ischemia-related amputation increased odds of RLP. Conclusion:. This survey-based analysis provides quantitative benchmark data regarding RLP and PLP in amputees with more granularity than has previously been reported.

Summary:. Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is an evolving technique with promising results for prevention and treatment of neuropathic pain, as well as modulation of control for myoelectric prostheses. The previously described and most commonly used technique for transhumeral TMR combines both an anterior and posterior approach to access the major peripheral nerves of the upper extremity. In this article, we review the literature for transhumeral TMR and describe a more expeditious and efficient anterior-only approach that offers safe access through a single incision.

Summary:. Management of postoperative pain is a challenge for healthcare providers in all surgical fields, especially in the context of the current opioid epidemic. We developed a cell phone application to monitor pain, medication use, and relevant quality of life domains (eg, mood, mobility, return to work, and sleep) in patients with neurogenic pain, including those with limb loss. A literature review was conducted to define application length and design parameters. The final application includes 12 questions for patients with limb loss and 8 for patients with neurogenic pain without limb loss. Pilot testing with 21 participants demonstrates acceptable time to complete the application (mean = 158 seconds, SD = 81 seconds) and usability, based on the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire. We aim for our application to serve as an outcome measure for evaluation of an evolving group of peripheral nerve procedures, including targeted muscle reinnervation. In addition, the application could be adapted for clinical use in patients undergoing these procedures for neurogenic pain and thus serve as a tool to monitor and manage pain medication use.

Summary:. Neuromas are a debilitating peripheral nerve problem due to aberrant axon sprouting and inflammation after nerve injury. The surgical management of neuromas has for a long time been up for debate, largely due to lack of consistent, reliable outcomes with any one technique. We have found success utilizing targeted muscle reinnervation, a technique originally described in amputees that re-routes the proximal ends of cut sensory nerve stumps into the distal ends of motor nerves to nearby muscles. In doing so, the sensory nerve ending can regenerate along the length of the motor nerve, giving it a place to go and something to do. In this report, we describe our technique specifically for targeted muscle reinnervation of sural nerve neuromas that is applicable to both amputees and to patients with intact limbs. Sural nerve neuromas can occur after sural nerve harvest for reconstructive procedures and particularly after lateral malleolar incisions for orthopedic access to the calcaneus. By re-routing the sural nerve into a motor nerve of the lateral gastrocnemius muscle, we are able to manage a variety of sural nerve neuromas presenting anywhere along the course of the sural nerve and in a variety of clinical settings.

Summary:. Neuroma pain significantly impacts patient quality of life and is associated with unemployment, chronic opioid dependence, and depression. Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR), a surgical technique that coapts proximal stumps of cut nerves to distal motor nerves of adjacent muscles, has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment and prevention of neuroma pain. The objective of this study was to describe the surgical technique for TMR of the saphenous nerve, while providing a retrospective review. Between January 2015 and December 2018, 18 patients underwent TMR of the saphenous nerve: 1 nonamputee patient with chronic pain after ankle surgery and 17 amputee patients (10 for relief of chronic postamputation neuroma pain and phantom pain and 7 at the time of amputation for prevention of these symptoms). Six patients were lost to follow up; 2 patients had recurrent pain; and 10 patients had reduced or no pain after TMR surgery. TMR is a successful technique for the management of traumatic neuroma pain in both the amputee and nonamputee populations, and in this study, we describe the technique for saphenous nerve TMR.