Biomedical subjects
J Glicenstein
Publications and source records attributed to J Glicenstein.
[Corrective surgery of thoracic anomalies in Poland syndrome. General review of 20 patients].
UNLABELLED: Breast and thoracic anomalies in Poland's syndrome, whether associated or not with hypoplasia of the upper limb, have no functional impairment. They present an important cosmetic disgrace. Several methods for correction were proposed: muscular transfer with or without implants. Each one has its advantages and drawbacks. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We operated 20 adolescents and adults with this deformity: 13 females and 7 males. If the inferior bundle of the pectoralis major was always absent, other muscular anomalies such as aplasia of the latissimus dorsi may complicate the corrective procedure. The choice of the treatment depends upon the importance of the muscular and sometimes associated costal aplasia, in the young girl, the breast development and in both sexes the position of the nipple. RESULTS: The latissimus dorsi transfer may be considered as the most adapted technique for the pestoralis major replacement. The results are often disappointing due to the secondary muscular atrophy. A composite implant with a part for breast reconstruction and another to fill the subclavicular gap gives satisfactory results but it has the hazards of implants.
[History of bone reconstruction].
Bone transplantation has been the subject of many experimental and clinical studies. Duhamel du Monceau is credited with the first scientific effort on the problem of osteogenesis in 1742. Léopold Ollier showed in 1861 that autografts are viable and recognized that separate living bone fragments without periosteum could live and grow in a suitable environment. In 1893, Barth published a paper on bone transplantation and Phemister named the process of bone reconstruction "creeping substitution". But it was only after Albee's book on bone graft surgery that bone transplantations began to be performed. In 1975, Taylor published the first case of free vascularized bone graft.
The hand in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.
Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is still a difficult challenge for surgeons and doctors. Hand retractions are different from burns. The medical team must have a good knowledge of the disease. Surgery must be performed with the collaboration of every member of the team, as well as the family. In young children, complete correction of the retractions is possible. On the other hand, when retractions are present for a long time in children and adolescents, surgery is purely functional. Static and dynamic splints delay recurrences, but their prolonged use presents psychological obstacles in adolescents and adults.
Fractures of the base of the first metacarpal in children. Role of K-wire stabilisation.
In order to define the factors of instability of fractures of the base of the first metacarpal in children, the authors reviewed 30 children presenting this lesion with a follow-up greater than 10 months. Patients in whom the growth cartilage of the base of the first metacarpal was still open and presenting a fracture with angular displacement greater than 30 degrees or metaphyso-epiphyseal sliding greater than 1 mm were included. Three groups were defined on the basis of radiographic findings: Group A: pure metaphyseal fractures (14 cases: 10 pinnings and 4 orthopaedic treatments); Group B: Salter II epiphyseal detachment fractures with a medial metaphyso-epiphyseal corner (10 cases: 1 pinning and 9 orthopaedic treatments); group C: Salter II epiphyseal detachment fractures with a lateral metaphyso-epiphyseal corner (6 cases: 2 pinnings and 4 orthopaedic treatments). The authors studied early secondary displacements as a function of the emergency treatment modality. No secondary displacement was observed for group B lesions regardless of treatment and for lesions stabilized immediately by intermetacarpal pinning. In contrast, one half of group A and C lesions treated orthopaedically subsequently became displaced, requiring surgical revision with stabilization by pinning. The authors recommend orthopaedic treatment for group B lesions and immediate surgical stabilization for group A and C lesions.
[Congenital malformations of the abdominal wall].
Congenital malformations of the abdominal wall consist of a combination of a parietal opening and visceral abnormalities. The most frequent are omphalocele and laparoschisis. Embryological analysis of the formation of the abdominal wall distinguishes omphalocele, due to absence of differentiation of the lateral folds of the embryo, from laparoschisis, due to absence of differentiation of the mesenchyma at one point of the somatopleural lining. Clinically, omphalocele consists of an opening of the abdominal wall, lined by a double layer (peritoneum and external layer of the amniotic membrane), which may rupture before birth. Laparoschisis is a true antenatal hernia lying to one side of the umbilical cord. The other abnormalities of the abdominal wall are less common: muscle and purely cutaneous aplasia. The treatment of omphaloceles requires multidisplinary management. Several surgical techniques are used, mainly primary closure and rectomyoplasty. Primary closure of the abdominal wall is only possible in one-half or one-third of cases.
Advantage of the presence of living dermal fibroblasts within in vitro reconstructed skin for grafting in humans.
Methods for serial cultivation of human keratinocytes can provide large quantities of epidermal cells, which have the potential of restoring the vital barrier function of the epidermis in extensive skin defects such as burns. To investigate the value of combining an epidermis with a dermal component, fibroblasts originated from the superficial dermis were used to seed a collagen lattice as described by E. Bell (dermal equivalent). Beginning in 1981, we grafted 18 patients (burns and giant nevi) using 35 grafts 10 x 10 cm in size. In the course of this work, the original technique was modified and improved as experience was gained. We began by using small skin biopsy samples as a source of keratinocytes cultured on a dermal equivalent before grafting in a one-step procedure, but this gave poor cosmetic results, because of a nonhomogeneous epidermalization. We then chose to cover the graft bed using a two-step procedure. The first step consisted of grafting a dermal equivalent to provide a dermal fibroblast-seeded substrate for subsequent in vivo epidermalization by cultured epidermal sheets. Whatever the epidermalization technique used, a living dermal equivalent applied to the graft bed was found to reduce pain, to provide good hemostasis, and to improve the mechanical and cosmetic properties of the graft. A normal undulating dermal-epidermal junction reappeared by 3 to 4 months after grafting and elastic fibers were detectable 6 to 9 months after grafting. As a result of the biosynthesis of these products, the suppleness (e.g., elasticity) of the grafts was closer to that of normal skin than the cicatricial skin usually obtained with epidermal sheets grafted without the presence of living dermal cells. This rapid improvement of the mechanical properties of the graft could be attributed to the presence of fibroblasts cultured from the dermis and seeded into the collagen matrix.
[Non-melanomatous malignant skin tumors of the hand].
Non-melanomatous malignant skin tumors of the hand are the same as those observed on other parts of the body, but with specific characteristics of frequency, aetiology, site and sometimes misleading clinical features. The author analyses these characteristics in relation to precancerous tumors: solar keratoses, arsenical keratoses, radiation dermatitis, kerato-acanthomas, Bowen's disease and malignant tumors: basal cell, squamous cell and other rarer carcinomas. He then outlines the principles of surgical treatment with reference to anaesthesia, usually local or regional, and resection, whose extent and depth depend on the nature and site of the lesion.
[What's new in syndactyly?].
In the light of the international literature over the last ten years, the author reviews the surgical treatment of syndactyly, including the optimal age of operation, surgical treatment without grafts, treatment of digital extremities, prevention of commissural retraction, and long-term results.
[Congenital thumb hypoplasia. Clinical study of twenty patients].
Congenital hypoplasia of the thumb is often seen in association with longitudinal failure of formation of the radius. A clinical study of 20 children, with 26 cases of hypoplasia of the thumb was conducted to evaluate the surgical indications according to the stage of the malformation. The results were evaluated for each patient of the study, with the position of the thumb, its spontaneous movements and its function. In grade II hypoplasia, treatment consisted of reanimation of the hypoplastic thumb by one or more tendinon transfers. In grade IV and V, pollicisation is the treatment of choice. In our experience, the surgical indications raise a problem essentially in grade III hypoplasia of Blauth's classification. In these cases, pollicisation gives the best results. Reanimation of the thumb with tendinon transfers can sometimes be used when parents refuse amputation of the thumb, when the first metacarpal is not excessively hypoplastic, and when the child is old enough to allow early physiotherapy.
[Anesthesia for hand surgery in patients with epidermolysis bullosa].
OBJECTIVE: To report on the anaesthetic management with axillary block of patients suffering from recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), undergoing repetitive surgery of the hand. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a case series. PATIENTS: Twenty-two patients, including 11 children less than 8-year-old and with a body weight under 20 kg, treated since 1988, were considered. METHODS: For surgery, including usually three stages at a 7-day interval, an axillary block was placed when feasible, after oral premedication midazolam (0.1-0.2 mg.kg-1) with a 25 gauge needle in patients of less than 30 kg of body weight and 22 gauge beyond. The local anaesthetic mixture included 2% lidocaine (5-10 mg.kg-1) and 0.5% bupivacaine (2-3 mg.kg-1). A catheter for repetitive injections had not been inserted. For children less than 10-year-old a parent was present in the theater during all the course of operation. RESULTS: Between 1988 and 1995, 22 patients underwent 160 operative interventions on 54 hands. Regional anaesthesia was used in 142 cases, including 140 axillary and 2 interscalene blocks. General anaesthesia was only required in 20 cases, either alone or associated with regional anaesthesia. The success rate of axillary blocks was 98%. DISCUSSION: For surgery of the hand in patients with RDEB, we switched in 1988 from general anaesthesia with ketamine to axillary block, even in young children, as it is closer to the no-touch principle, which is essential to prevent from blistering. In comparison to general anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia raises neither the problems of airway and vascular access, nor those of instrumental monitoring. The main factors of success with regional anaesthesia are technical skills, expertise in the management of patients with RDEB and parental presence in the operating room which makes the procedure less stressful for children.
[Median clefts of the hand. Classification and therapeutic indications apropos of 29 cases].
Based on a series of 29 patients with median clefts of the hand (29 hands), the authors define the place of this malformation, its various clinical features and the therapeutic indications. The series consists of 13 boys and 7 girls, 9 bilateral cases and 11 unilateral cases. Involvement of the feet was observed in 9 cases. Several children also presented other malformations. 16 children were operated (22 hands). Two types of technique were used: simple closure of the cleft (Barsky's operation) and transposition of the index finger according to the Snow-Littler or Miura-Komada techniques. All operated patients were reviewed with a follow-up of more than one year and the results were assessed in terms of three criteria: overall use of the hand, thumb-index finger pinch grip, aesthetic appearance. The authors propose a new classification of median clefts of the hand based on examination of this series of 20 children: simple clefts with more or less complete absence of the middle finger, complex clefts with syndactyly (especially I and II), transverse bone polydactyly, extensive clefts with severe aplasia of the radial segment of the hand. Clinical and radiological examination confirm the experimental studies by Ogino. Barsky's operation gives satisfactory results in simple forms with parallel fingers. Translocation of the index finger to the base of the 3rd metacarpal is necessary in the presence of divergent fingers and syndactyly. Median clefts of the hand are very distinct from median aplasia, which is always unilateral, with no familial nature and no involvement of the feet and which can be classified together with brachysyndactyly. Each case must be studied before deciding treatment, as functional adaptation is always remarkable. The least favourable surgical results are observed in forms with abnormal position of the index finger (malrotation syndactyly). Lastly, the Snow-Littler operation is not devoid of complications.
[Surgical treatment of camptodactyly].
Almost all anatomical structures of the hand have been held responsible for non-traumatic, non-paralytic flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Together with Millesi and Flatt, we define camptodactyly as a disorder of flexor-extensor equilibrium in the PIP. This definition determined our therapeutic approach. 59 patients with one or several fingers affected by camptodactyly were followed between 1975 and 1989. In 3 cases, the anomaly was associated with another malformation of the hand and 56 cases, it was isolated. 11 children did not receive any active treatment, but were followed and manipulated. 17 (27 fingers) were treated by static or dynamic splints. 31 (43 fingers) were operated according to the following technique: total anterior tenoarthrolysis leading to recession of the flexor apparatus and lengthening of the skin on the palmar surface of the first phalanx by a rotation flap. This operation was preceded and followed by application of a dynamic extension splint onto the operated finger. Of the 20 fingers treated by manipulations and reviewed, 11 had improved, 7 were stable and 2 had deteriorated. Of the 24 fingers treated by splints and reviewed, 14 had improved, 5 were stable and 5 had deteriorated. Of the 30 fingers operated and reviewed, 30 had improved, 7 were stable and 2 had deteriorated. Although recent anatomical studies tend to indicate that anomalies of the lumbrical muscles are frequent in operated camptodactyly, these studies do not take into account the numerous anomalies of these muscles observed in the general population. The therapeutic conclusion resulting from these studies are also unconvincing. The technique which we propose cannot be applied to every case. The milder forms only require orthopaedic treatment. C camptodactyly in adolescents or adults with joint blocking are only slightly improved by surgery and only require corrective osteotomy. In all other cases, especially in young children, anterior tenoarthrolysis of the finger with cutaneous elongation allows reduction or correction of the deformity.
[Surgical treatment of duplication of the thumb. Apropos of 106 cases].
The surgical treatment of thumb duplication remains difficult, the sequelae usually observed are aesthetic (ungual dystrophy, hypoplastic pulp, clinodactyly) or functional (joint stiffness or instability). In order to clarify our therapeutic approach, we classify duplications into two types: proximal duplications (Wassel stage IV, V and VI) and distal duplications (Wassel stage I, II and III). Our experience is based on 106 cases operated over the last 15 years (1977). Our indications and operative techniques have progressed since 1988, in particular, we no longer perform Bilhaut-Cloquet operation, and prefer to perform the first operation before the age of one year. Resection of the hypoplastic supernumerary thumb. Preservation of the pulp skin to reconstitute the paronychium and pulp of the remaining thumb. Resection of supplementary joint facets. Meticulous repair of the capsulo-ligamentus apparatus by means of a capsulo-periosteal flap taken from the "sacrificed" thumb. Tendinous reequilibration and reinsertion of thenar muscles. We do not perform systematic subcapital osteotomy. When necessary, this procedure is performed during a complementary operation at the age of 2 to 3 years. Since the introduction of these technical modifications, our functional and aesthetic results have improved. Temporary overcorrection of the pulp is necessary. Parents must be advised that this deliberately hypertrophic appearance becomes normal with growth.
[Fibrolipoma of the median nerve. Review of 10 surgically treated cases with a mean recall of 8 years].
Lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve and its branches is rare, but is the most frequent lesion associated with digital hypertrophy in the upper limb. We present a pediatric series of 8 patients, two of whom had bilateral involvement. Digital enlargement or true macrodactyly was the presenting complaint. Fatty infiltration of the palm was a constant finding and is considered very suggestive of lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve, as confirmed by MRI in cases of uncertain diagnosis. No causal link between the nerve hamartoma and the enlargement of soft tissues in the territory of the nerve has yet been proven; it appears to be a regional disease related to unknown development factors, and other congenital anomalies may be associated in the same territory. Treatment was mostly symptomatic, with carpal tunnel release and superficial removal of epineural proliferation; no interfascicular dissection was performed and we never made any attempt to completely resect the lipofibromatous constituents; no median nerve resection was performed. Debulking of the palm and enlarged digits was associated with nerve decompression, but true macrodactyly required a separate operative procedure and is not the subject of this study. Mean follow-up is 8 years and 5 operated lipofibromas have been reviewed after 13 years. Two-point discrimination was often abnormal, but sensory impairment was stabilized, as well as soft tissue enlargement. However no objective argument can currently support more radical nerve surgery, and the superiority of nerve resection on the course of digital hypertrophy has not been proven.
[Anesthesia for hand surgery in patients with bullous epidermolysis].
Epidermolysis bullosa is a rare genetic disease, characterized by the formation of bullae in the skin and squamous epithelium following minimal trauma. The majority of surgical indications specific to this disease concern autosomal recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Hand surgery is one of the fields of surgery involved. The cicatricial course of the lesions results in retraction and pseudosyndactylization of the fingers, sometimes leading to complete destruction of the hand. Since 1988, we have treated 23 patients, including 11 children under the age of 8 years and weighing less than 20 kg. 185 procedures were performed by two anaesthetists, using regional plexus blocks in 157 cases and general anaesthesia in only 28 cases. This series is comparable in number, to that reported by the London team, which prefers general anaesthesia. Regional anaesthesia has been previously used, but only following general anaesthetic induction. Our approach, based on the experience of a hand surgery center, is in marked opposition with this standard paediatric approach. Regional anaesthetic techniques, particularly in the upper limb, present many advantages in addition to their feasibility in small children: efficacy, simplicity, postoperative analgesia, and outpatient comfort. In the context of the specificities and difficulties encountered in the management of these patients suffering from epidermolysis bullosa, the authors demonstrate the value of first-line regional anaesthesia, even in very young children (less than 3 years). The presence of a parent in the operating room is a valuable aid, which is still insufficiently used, but which should be used with conviction for the benefit of all concerned.
[History and prehistory of skin flaps].
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[History of augmentation mammaplasty].
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