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Biomedical subjects

H K Watson

Publications and source records attributed to H K Watson.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Matched distal ulna resection for posttraumatic disorders of the distal radioulnar joint.

In 1985 we published the results of the matched ulna resection in 44 patients, the majority of whom had rheumatoid arthritis. The matched ulna resection maintains the continuity of the distal ulna to the ulnar sling mechanism, including the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), and resects the distal ulna in a smooth, curved, convex fashion to match the contour of the radius throughout forearm rotation. This article presents the results of the procedure in patients with posttraumatic and mechanical disorders of the distal radioulnar joint. Good to excellent results were noted in 24 of 32 patients. The outcome was related to the severity of the patient's initial problem.

Adolescent

Simultaneous carpal tunnel release and Dupuytren's fasciectomy.

Simultaneous operations for carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren's disease have been reported in only one study which recommended staged treatment because there was an 87% complication rate with simultaneous treatment. The present study reviewed simultaneous treatment of 30 patients during a 20-year period. Complications and unfavourable results were compared to similar groups of patients who underwent either Dupuytren's fasciectomy or carpal tunnel release as sole procedures. Early complications (13%) were far less than in previous studies and were easily corrected. The incidence of recurrence and extension (20%) was lower than in the Dupuytren's fasciectomy group and much lower than in previous reports. Simultaneous carpal tunnel release and Dupuytren's fasciectomy are strongly recommended when these conditions are both present in the same hand.

Adult

Pathologic anatomy.

The typical case shows one or more thickened bands overlying the flexor tendons in the palm that connect with one another via the transverse palmar fascia. Vertical septae fix the bands securely to the underlying fascia and transverse metacarpal ligaments. These septae pass deep between the tendon and neurovascular tunnel. Bands running into the fingers represent thickening and fibrosis of the natatory ligaments. Typically, a central band continues into the finger, forks, and dissipates just distal to the PIP joint. This dissipation occurs with bifurcation of the central band into two thickened bundles that pass deep to the neurovascular bundle and attach to the flexor sheath of the middle phalanx. There are also thickenings of Grayson's ligaments that run from the central cord laterally and dorsally. Understanding the anatomy of the palmar aponeurosis is essential to the effective treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. Because the cause is unknown, treatment is best directed at anatomic deformities. Although not systemic or lethal, poorly treated Dupuytren's contracture can lead to significant morbidity and long-term disability. The palmar aponeurosis and its substructures are more than just passive barriers. They integrate hand parts and when pathologically fibrosed can contract joints, deform skin, and deviate neurovascular structures. The best treatments are recognition of the contracture, meticulous dissection, and local radical fasciectomy. Special attention is directed toward protecting spiralling neurovascular bundles. Difficult releases are enhanced by judicious release of checkreins, tendon sheath attachments, and disease on the radial side of the hand.

Dupuytren Contracture

Dystrophy, recurrence, and salvage procedures in Dupuytren's contracture.

Postoperative complications can jeopardize the results of surgery. These can be avoided by Y-V plasties that allow for efficient skin "lengthening" and wound healing. Proper dressing techniques can prevent hematoma formation. The patient must be started on early active motion to prevent stiffness, and the physician must monitor for reflex sympathetic dystrophy. If RSD should occur, the dystrophile program is the most effective means of treatment. Fasciectomy alone is not always successful in correcting Dupuytren's contracture, especially in longstanding cases. The surgeon should be prepared to correct other entities such as checkreins, sheath fibrosis, and tendon adhesions. Occasionally, a severely compromised finger is not amenable to correction. In this case, salvage procedures are available, such as the concentric arthrodesis that preserves the length of the volar structures. Only when all other attempts fail should one resort to amputation.

Dupuytren Contracture

A double-blind study of hyposensitization with an alginate-conjugated extract of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Conjuvac) in patients with perennial rhinitis. II. Immunological aspects.

In a 2-year double-blind placebo controlled study an immunological evaluation was carried out on 33 patients (15 males, 18 females, mean age 29.2 years) with mite-induced perennial rhinitis who were submitted to specific immunotherapy (IT) with an alginate-conjugated extract of D. pteronyssinus. The behaviour of IgE, IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies specific to D. pteronyssinus and its major allergen Der p1 was characterized by assessment of their changes in serum, and changes in IgG in nasal secretions during the treatment. The placebo-treated patients did not show any significant variation in the levels of specific antibodies, while in the actively treated patients we found: a statistically significant decrease (P less than 0.005) of specific IgE, a statistically significant increase of specific IgG (P less than 0.005), IgG1 (P less than 0.005) and IgG4 (P less than 0.005) in serum and a statistically significant increase (P less than 0.001) of specific IgG in nasal secretions. The IgG response showed an early relative predominance of the IgG1 subclass and a late absolute predominance of IgG4 subclass, that confirmed the model of IgG4 restriction in prolonged allergen stimulation. No correlation was found between immunological and clinical data.

Adjuvants, Immunologic

Treatment of Dupuytren's contracture by extensive fasciectomy through multiple Y-V--plasty incisions: short-term evaluation of 170 consecutive operations.

The zigzag incision with Y-V closure has unique advantages for the treatment of Dupuytren's disease. Much skin can be mobilized to the longitudinal finger axis. There is rarely a need for skin grafting in spite of full correction of the deformity. This approach, combined with properly applied tamponade bulk dressing, allows for early use of the hand with minimal morbidity.

Dupuytren Contracture

The carpal boss: surgical treatment and etiological considerations.

We report on 30 symptomatic cases of carpal boss which were treated surgically. The condition represents a highly localized degenerative arthritis at the base of the middle metacarpal, and is seen primarily in relatively young patients. Symptomatic relief was obtained by excision of degenerated tissue in all these patients.

Adolescent

The palmar approach for the visualization and release of the carpal tunnel. An analysis of 429 cases.

A review of 429 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome in 329 patients confirms the prevalence of this entity among disorders of the hand. Three symptoms are almost diagnostic--daytime numbness, nighttime pain, and morning stiffness of the fingers. The diagnosis is confirmed by findings on physical examination. A relatively simple technique is presented for the exposure and release of the median nerve, using a longitudinal incision in the palm and stopping short of the wrist skin. Limiting the incision to the palmar skin results in an inconspicuous scar, while still providing adequate exposure for a complete anatomical release. An epineural neurolysis of the median nerve was performed in each case, resulting in improvement in the symptoms in all but 4 of these 429 patients.

Adolescent

Ulnar dysmelia.

Eleven patients with hypoplasia and partial or complete aplasia of the ulna (examples of a complex spectrum of postaxial forearm and hand abnormalities) were reviewed. Three types of ulnar deformity were observed: (1) hypoplasia, (2) partial aplasia (ossification of the proximal part of the ulna present at birth); and (3) total aplasia (ossification not development). The roentgenographically "absent" segment of the ulna may be a large fibrocartilaginous anlage attached distally to the distal radial epiphysis or the ulnar side of the carpus, or both. The tethering effect of this band may cause ulnar deviation of the wrist (and hand) and dislocation of th badial head in utero as well as progression of these deformities after birth. Resection of the distal end of the fibrocartilaginous anlage during the first to second year of life is recommended, since the results of this procedure suggest that it reduces the angular growth deformities. It is also suggested that if the one-bone-forearm operation is indicated, it should be deferred until a later age, since complications may be less likely to occur then than at the time that the anlage is resected.

Abnormalities, Multiple

Congenital anterior subluxation of the distal ulna. A case report.

A healthy 17-year-old girl with painful congenital subluxation of the distal ulna was successfully treated by surgical stabilization of the distal radioulnar joint. This procedure may avoid or delay the need for resection of the distal end of the ulna.

Adolescent