Objective:To compare magnetic resonance imaging and intraoperative findings in patients diagnosed with traumatic injury to the brachial plexus. Methods:Patients with a diagnosis of traumatic injury to the brachial plexus admitted to the hand and microsurgery outpatient consult of the Hospital das Clínicas at the University of São Paulo were selected during December 2016. A total of three adult patients with up to six months of injury who underwent surgical treatment were included in the study. A diffusion-weighted sequence magnetic resonance protocol and fluid-sensitive volumetric reformatting sequence were applied. The magnetic resonance results were compared with the diagnoses obtained from the injuries observed during the surgery. The study was double-blind (surgeon and radiologist). Results:A descriptive correlation was found between the magnetic resonance imaging results and the diagnostic findings from the surgeries, for both pre- and post-ganglionic injuries. Conclusion:Magnetic resonance imaging has shown to be a promising diagnostic method in preoperative assessment of brachial plexus lesions; it is less invasive than other common methods, showing not only avulsion lesions but also localized postganglionic lesions in the supra- and infraclavicular region. Level of Evidence III; Diagnostic studies - Investigating a diagnostic test.

Objective: To evaluate the results of total knee arthoplasty revisions performed in high complexity cases, with large bone defects or serious ligament deficiencies using a constrained implant hinge associated to a rotating tibial basis. Methods: We evaluated 11 patients in which we used the constrained implant hinge associated to rotating tibial basis, with minimum follow-up of two years. The indications for the procedure included instability, septic loosening, late postoperative infection without loosening and periprosthetic fracture. We evaluated the knee range of movement and functional outcomes by the Knee Society Score (KSS) e Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), besides the presence of complications. Results: All patients achieved 5o to 85o minimum range of motion at 1 year postoperatively and, in the present evaluation, KSS ranged from 67 to 95. Three patients had no complications until the last evaluation and two patients required implant revision. Conclusion: Despite the complications rate observed, the functional result were acceptable for most patients, and it proved being a viable alternative, especially for patients with low functional demand. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

Objective:To analyze 10 consecutive cases of microsurgical arteriovenous loops created to reconstruct complex injuries from March 2011 to May 2012. Methods:This observational cohort-type study conducted by the Hand and Microsurgery Group at the HC-FMUSP included patients who were candidates for microsurgical reconstruction as a last alternative to amputation of the limb with proven absence of adequate recipient vessels for primary microsurgical anastomosis, in a prospective and consecutive manner. We analyzed 14 variables (epidemiological, clinical, procedure-related, and outcome) in patients who underwent reconstruction using an arteriovenous loop utilizing a single-stage or two-stage procedure. Results:The injuries were mostly traumatic (80%). The success rate of the single-stage procedure was 75%, and 17% for the two-stage procedure. The rate of preservation for the injured limb was 44%. Conclusion:This study reinforces the more recent understanding that the indication for single-stage or two-stage reconstruction should be individualized; our findings favor the single-stage reconstruction. This technique should be used in selected cases, as a last reconstructive alternative before amputation, and further studies are necessary to confirm its safety and efficacy in our practice. Level of Evidence IV; Case series.

Purpose In upper and chronic brachial plexus injuries for which neurological surgery is not a good treatment option, one possibility for gaining elbow flexion is free functional muscle transfer. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the elbow flexion gain achieved by free gracilis muscle transfer with partial ulnar nerve neurotization. Methods This surgery was performed in 21 patients with upper and chronic (> 12 months) brachial plexus injuries. The level of injury, patient age, the time between trauma and surgery, the affected side, and the aetiology of the lesion were recorded. The primary outcome evaluated was elbow flexion muscle strength, which was measured using the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) scale, in patients with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. The criterion used to classify elbow flexion as good was a grade of M4 or higher. Results An M4 elbow flexion strength gain was observed in 61.9% of the patients. A gain of M2 or higher was observed in 95.2% of the patients. The mean range of active motion was 77°(range 10 minimum-110 maximum). Conclusion In patients with upper and chronic brachial plexus injuries, free gracilis muscle transfer with ulnar nerve neurotization yields a satisfactory gain in elbow flexion strength and is therefore a good treatment option.

No abstract