Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of perilunate dislocations and fracture-dislocations treated with arthroscopically assisted mini-invasive reduction and fixation. Methods Between June 2012 and May 2014, 24 patients who had a dorsal perilunate dislocation or fracture-dislocation were treated with arthroscopically assisted reduction and percutaneous fixation. The mean follow-up was 14.8 months (range 6–32 months). Clinical outcomes were evaluated on the basis of range of motion; grip strength; Mayo Wrist Score; Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire; and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score. Radiographic evaluations included time to scaphoid union, carpal alignments, and any development of arthritis. Results The range of flexion-extension motion of the injured wrist averaged 86% of the values for the contralateral wrist. The grip strength of the injured wrist averaged 83% of the values for the contralateral wrists. The mean QuickDASH score was 6, and the mean PRWE score was 10. According to the Mayo Wrist Scores, overall functional outcomes were rated as excellent in 13 patients (54%), good in 6 (25%), fair in 4 (17%), and poor in 1 (4%). Scaphoid nonunion developed in one patient. Reduction obtained during the operation was maintained within normal ranges in all patients. Arthritis had not developed in any patient at final follow-up. Conclusions Arthroscopically assisted mini-invasive reduction with percutaneous fixation is a reliable and favorable alternative in the treatment of perilunate injuries according to our early follow-up results. Level of Evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic.
Objective: Perilunate injuries are rare but devastating carpal injuries. The treatment of perilunate injuries remains challenging and contentious. This study aims to describe a novel mini‐invasive surgical technique of arthroscopic‐assisted reduction and robot‐assisted fixation for the treatment of trans‐scaphoid perilunate fracture dislocations (PLFDs).Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with PLFDs after surgical treatment from February 2021 to March 2021. The patients underwent arthroscopic‐assisted precise reduction and robot‐assisted headless screw fixation. Times of guide wire placement were recorded intraoperatively. Periodic follow‐up was performed until union of scaphoid fracture was confirmed. Range of motion of the wrist, grip strength, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, the Mayo Wrist Score, the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score, the Patient‐Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), and osteoarthritis were evaluated at the final follow‐up.Results: Two male patients presenting with PLFDs with an average age of 24.5 years old (32 and 17 years) were included in this study. Intraoperatively, anatomic reduction of the scaphoid fracture was achieved under arthroscopic guidance. A robotic‐assisted single‐attempt guidewire insertion was performed for scaphoid fracture and lunotriquetral interval. The CT scans at 8 and 12 weeks showed the union of the scaphoid fracture. At final mean follow‐up of 13.5 months, the extension, radial‐ulnar deviation, and pronation‐supination were consistent with the contralateral side in both patients. One patient experienced mild limited range of motion with the flexion 46° of the injured wrist compared with 81°of the contralateral wrist. The VAS score was 0 and 2. The grip strength was 32 and 26 kg compared with 24 and 42 kg of the contralateral wrist. The PRWE score was 13 and 10 and the QuickDASH score was 2 and 7. The Mayo Wrist Score was 100 and 65. No sign of osteoarthritis was found at the last follow‐up.Conclusions: Arthroscopic‐assisted reduction and robot‐assisted fixation is a viable and promising alternative for the treatment of perilunate fracture dislocations. This technique allows precise reduction and accurate placement of the K‐wires/screws into the carpal bones through the optimal biomechanical paths.
Objective: To describe the modified mobilization surgery technique that uses a free vascularized fascia lata graft as the interposition graft, and to evaluate the outcome of this procedure in treating congenital radioulnar synostosis (CRUS).Methods: Eleven patients (eight boys and three girls with an average age of 6.0 years) were treated using this procedure between 2012 and 2017 in our institution. Five bilateral cases (four left forearms and one right forearm were treated), and six unilateral cases (three left forearms and three right forearms) were included. All 11 cases were treated with mobilization procedure with free vascularized fascia lata as the interposition graft, and were followed‐up for an average of 2.2 years (range, 2–4 years). The parental satisfaction, postoperative ankylosis at proximal radioulnar joint, and active range of forearm rotation motion (measured by physical examination) were evaluated at the last follow‐up.Results: The average preoperative fixed pronation angle was 67.3° (range, 20°–90°). Ipsilateral thumb hypoplasia was noted in one case, and cleft palate and bilateral thumb hypoplasia were noted in one case; none of the patients had a family history of congenital radioulnar synostosis. Pronation and supination splints were used 3 days after the operation and were worn every night for 4–6 months postoperatively. Active and passive rehabilitation for elbow flexion and forearm rotation was initiated 4 weeks postoperatively. All patients were followed up for at least 2 years (average, 26 months; range, 24–48 months). The average forearm pronation range was 39° (range, 20°–60°), and the average forearm supination range was 33.2° (range, 10°–60°) at the latest follow‐up. Re‐ankylosis occurred in one case. An osseous bridge developed between the radius and ulna at the osteotomy site in one case. Radial nerve paralysis developed in two cases and spontaneously resolved 2 months later. Plate breakage was noted in one case 9 weeks postoperatively; however, union was achieved 7 months later.Conclusion: Mobilization of proximal radioulnar synostosis using a free vascularized fascia lata graft as the interposition graft may prevent re‐ankylosis and restore the forearm rotation function, making it a good option for the surgical treatment of CRUS.
Objectives: Scaphoid nonunion remains a challenging problem to manage with no general consensus on its treatment recommendations. We propose a novel minimally invasive (MIS) technique of arthroscopic bone grafting (ABG) with robot‐assisted fixation for the treatment of scaphoid nonunions.Methods: Patients with radiographically proven scaphoid nonunion treated by this novel surgical technique were included. Following arthroscopic debridement and iliac crest bone grafting, the scaphoid was fixed percutaneously using either multiple Kirschner (K)‐wires or a headless compression screw using a robotic navigation system.Results: Six male patients with an average age of 29.2 years were enrolled. Four patients had scaphoid waist fractures, and the other two were proximal pole fractures. During wrist arthroscopy, punctate bleeding of the proximal scaphoid fragment was observed in four out of the six patients. Half of the patients were fixed using a headless compression screw and the other half using multiple K‐wires. All the guidewires were placed with a single‐attempt using the robotic navigation system. Postoperatively, all the scaphoid fractures had complete radiographic union by 16 weeks. At a mean follow‐up of 18.3 months, there were significant improvements in wrist range of motion, grip strength, and patient‐rated outcomes. No intraoperative or early postoperative complications were encountered in any of our patients.Conclusion: Arthroscopic bone grafting with robot‐assisted fixation is a feasible and promising therapeutic option for scaphoid nonunions, regardless of the vascularity of the proximal pole fragment. This novel technique allows for anatomic restoration of the scaphoid alignment and accurate, targeted placement of implants into the scaphoid nonunion site within a single‐attempt using a robotic navigation system.