Objective To investigate the biomechanicai characteristics of flexor profundus tendons repaired after decimeter wave therapy, and to observe the effect of decimeter wave therapy on early active mobilization. Methods A total of 56 Leghorn chickens were randomly divided into a therapy group and a control group with 28 chickens in each. The 3rd and 4th toes of their left feet were employed for the establishment of a tendon injury model. The flexor profundus tendons were cut and repaired. Gypsum support was applied and fixed with an adhesive plaster after the operation. The operated sites on toes Ⅲ and Ⅳ were exposed. The external fixation was removed 3 weeks later and the chickens were left free to move. Decimeter wave therapy ( frequency 915 MHz, power 8 Watts) was ap-plied for 10 minutes once daily on the left foot of each chicken in the therapy group from day 1 until 3 weeks after the operation. Sham decimeter wave therapy was applied to chickens in the control group. Four chickens from each group were randomly selected at the 1st, 7th, 10th, 14th, 18th, 21st and 28th days for biomechanical analysis. Biome-chanical parameters including tensile strength of rupture (Pmax), elongation ratio at rupture (δimax) and the tensile adhesion strength of the rupture zone (W0>) were observed at each time point. Results At the 7th, 10th, 14th, 18th, 21st and 28th day after the operation, the differences in Pmax, δmax and W0 between the therapy and control groups were statistically significant. The results of the therapy group were better than those of the control group. Conclusions Local decimeter wave therapy after flexor tendon repair can promote intrinsic healing and reduce ex-trinsic healing. The speed and quality of healing are improved. The elasticity and tenacity of the injured tendons are enhanced. Therefore decimeter wave therapy is helpful for early active mobilization training.

Objective To measure the normal sagittal and coronal diameters of thumb and great toe distal phalanx bottom by ultrasonography. Methods One hundred and twenty volunteers' sagittal and coronal diameters of thumb and great toe distal phalanx bottom were measured by ultrasonography. The measurements was analysed by the statistical method. Results The thumb and great toe distal phalanx bottom showed hyperechoic zone,clear boundary with the adjacent fascia and tendon tissue showed low echo area at cross section by high frequency ultrasound. The sagittal diameters of thumb distal phalanx bottom was (8. 07 ± 0. 67)mm in men, while that of great toe distal phalanx bottom was (8. 34 ± 1. 02) mm( t = 1.73, P =0.86).The coronal diameters of thumb distal phalanx bottom was (11.61 ±0.89)mm in men, while that of great toe distal phalanx bottom was (14. 25 ± 0. 84)mm( t = 16. 77, P = 0. 00). The sagittal diameters of thumb distal phalanx bottom was (7. 52 ± 0. 62) mm in women, while that of great toe distal phalanx bottom was (7. 72 ± 0. 67) mm( t = 1. 72, P =0. 14). The coronal diameters of thumb distal phalanx bottom was (10.94 ± 0.97) mm in women, while that of great toe distal phalanx bottom was (13. 51 ±0. 75) mm( t =16.21, P = 0.00). Conclusions The normal sagittal and coronal diameters of thumb and great toe distal phalanx bottom measured by the ultrasonography can guide the operation of wrap-around flap of a great toe with phalanx ungual for thumb II degree defect reconstruction.

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of free myocutaneous flap transfer for the treatment of refractory post-traumatic osteomyelitis of the lower leg and foot. Methods Eleven patients with refractory post-traumatic osteomyelitis of the lower legs and feet were treated between February 2004 and December 2007. There were 9 males and 2 females. The average age was 3.5 years. All patients had at least four to five unsuccessful surgical procedures and prolonged antibiotic treatment prior to presentation. The mean duration of osteomyelitis was 26 months (12-47 months). According to the Ciemy-Mader classification, there were 3 cases for ⅢA, 2 for ⅢBL, 4 for ⅥA and 2 for ⅥBL. After radical debridement, free myocutaneous flaps were immediately performed. Nine latissimus dorsi and 2 rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps were used.External fixation was applied in 6 patients with skeletal instability due to tibial defects. Results An average follow-up was 3.5 years. Two cases suffered partial necrosis and were managed successfully with split-thickness skin grafts later. In 4 patients of presenting segmental bone defect, autogenous bone grafting was applied in one patient and achieved consolidation after 5 months; bone transplantation in 2 patients and achieved consolidation after 8 and 10 months; and vascularized fibula graft in one patient in whom the gap of the tibia was about 10 cm and achieved consolidation after 4 months. The other 7 patients of this group achieved bone consolidation without bone graft. Conclusion The cornerstone of the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis was to be the radical debridement of all involved necrotic and infected soft tissue and bone.The free myocutaneous flaps transfer which has the advantage of obliteration of dead space and stable coverage of the defect was a safe and viable treatment option in chronic osteomyelitis of the lower leg and foot.

BACKGROUND: Tendon injury is a common injury in the department of hand surgery. The postoperative recovery of hand function is always affected by tendon adhesion after tendon repair. To prevent tendon adhesion, especially the adhesion after flexor tendon repair is always the key in the rehabilitation of hand surgery.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of decimeter wave therapy on tendon adhesion and healing after flexor tendon repair.DESIGN: Randomized controlled study based on experimental animal SETTING: Provincial Institute of Orthopaedics.MATERIALS: The study was conducted in Hebei Provincial Institute of Orthopaedics from January 2001 to June 2003. Totally 28 Leghorn chickens were randomly divided into decimeter wave therapy group and operation control group.METHODS: The flexor digitorum profundus tendons of Leghorn chickens were transected and repaired. Decimeter wave therapy was applied to the toes on chickens of decimeter wave therapy group. Animals were executed at week 3 or 6 after operation for macroscopical observation and histological observation under optical and electron microscopes, and biomechanical analysis.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Principle index: results of macroscopical observation and the observatory results under optical and electron microscope, and the results of biomechanics. Secondary index: results of the classification of tendon adhesion and healing.RESULTS: It could be seen under macroscopical and histological observation that the adhesion significantly reduced in decimeter wave therapy group. The protein synthesis of fibroblast was significantly more than that of the control group under electron microscope. As indicated by biomechanical analysis, the tendon gliding distance[ (5.37 ± 1.06) mm at week 3, (6.76 ± 1.52) mm at week 6]and the rehabilitative compliance( 1. 04 ± 0.65 at week 3)of decimeter wave therapy group were bigger than those of the control group respectively [ (4.43 ±1.03) mm, (5.33±1.27)mmand0.63±0.31](P ＜0.05), and the anti-tension strength of decimeter wave in therapy group (N, 26. 93 ± 4. 80,47. 12 ± 7.76) was significantly bigger than that of the control group respectively(21.29 ±4. 88 and 38.96 ±7.52) (P ＜0. 01).CONCLUSION: Decimeter wave therapy can effectively promote tendon healing and reduce tendon adhesions and provide prerequisites for early rehabilitative training after flexor tendon repair. Hence, it is an ideal assistance in the prevention of tendon adhesion.

Objective To observe the effects of decimeter wave irradiation on the rehabilitation of the acute peripheral nerve injury of rats. Methods Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats(200～250 g)were randomly divided into 2 groups:group A,the decimeter wave irradiation group and group B,the blank control group.The right sciatic nerves of all the rats were crushed with forceps to establish the experimental animal model of acute peripheral nerve injury.Then the rats of group A were exposed to decimeter wave irradiation for 10 minutes every day for 8 weeks.The rats of group B were also fixed on a table as those in group A but receive no decimeter irradiation.At different time points observation with light and electron microscopy,immunochemical staining,axon morphometric analysis,electrophysiological examination were carried out.Results Morphometric analysis showed that at different time points after operation the recovery of nerves in group A was better than that in group B.Axon morphometric analysis showed that the number,the diameter and the thickness of sheath of myelinated nerve fibers in group A were greater than those in group B. Electrophysiological assessment showed that the latency was shorter,the amplitude was higher,and the nerve conduction velocity was faster in group A than those in group B at the end of 8 weeks of decimeter wave treatment after operation.Conclusion Decimeter wave had significant effects on the rehabilitation of the acutely injured peripheral nerves.

Objective To observe the effect of superficial radial nerve transplanting to repair musculospiral nerve defection and using end-to-side neurorrhaphy to reconstruct the function of the donor site. Methods Thirtyfour cases underwent superficial radial nerve transplanting to repair musculospiral nerve defection and end-to-side neurorrhaphy was performed to reconstruct the function of the donor site. Results All cases were followed-up for 6 to 18 months,the functional recovery of the recipient of musculospiral nerve was excellent in 23 cases and good in 5 cases,with an excellent and good rate of 82. 53 %. Sensory recovery of donator nerve was excellent in 27 cases and good in 5 cases,with an excellent and good rate of 94. 12%. Conclusions Superficial radial nerve transplanting to repair musculospiral nerve defection and functional reconstruction of donor site is a better choice in treating neurologic defect.

BACKGROUND:To improve local microenvironment and reduce local scars is conducive to peripheral nerve regeneration that promotes nerve function recovery.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of fresh amniotic membrane on the regeneration of tinjured peripheral nerve.METHODS:Sixty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=20 per group) after constructing a model of sciatic nerve injury of the unilateral leg. In group A, the nerve was wrapped with fresh human amnion at the anastomosis end after the repair of nerve. In group B, the nerve was wrapped with biofilm at the anastomosis end after the repair of nerve. In group C, no treatment was conducted after the repair of nerve (blank control). The effects were evaluated by anatomical observation, light microscope observation, immunohistochemical detection (2, 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery), transmission electron microscope observation, axon imaging analysis, action potential detection, and sciatic nerve function index (4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery).RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Gross observation. The amniotic membrane and biofilm were absorbed partialy at postoperative 2 weeks, mostly at postoperative 4 weeks and completely at postoperative 8 weeks. In the groups A and B, the nerve was adhered slightly and loosely to the surrounding tissues, with a fair range of motion. In the group C, the nerve was tightly adhered to the surrounding tissues, with a poor range of motion. (2) Observation under light microscope. The nerve regeneration was better in the groups A and B than group C at 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks postoperatively. (3) Observation under electron microscope. Regenerated nerve fibers were rarely seen and lamelar structures were unclear in the three groups at 4 weeks postoperatively. Then, increased regenerated nerve fibers, thickened myelin sheath, clear lamelar structure and enlarged axon diameter were found in the groups A and B compared with the group C at 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively. (4) Immunohistochemical detection. The expression and distribution of S-100 protein in the groups A and B were better than those in the group C. (5) Axon image analysis. Groups A and B were superior to the group C in the diameter of myelinated nerve fibers, thickness of myelin sheath and number of regenerated nerve fibers. There was a significant difference by statistical analysis (P < 0.05). (6) Electrophysiological examination. Shorter latency period, higher amplitude and faster nerve conduction velocities were observed in the groups A and B compared with the group C (P < 0.05). (7) The sciatic function index. The sciatic function index in group A or B was significantly higher than that in group C (P < 0.05). To conclude, the human amniotic membrane can reduce adhesion between the damaged nerve and surrounding tissues, and prevent scarring at the anastomosis end. In addition, it promotes the regeneration of nerve fibers, increase axon diameter and myelin sheath thickness, and ease inflammatory and immune responses at the neural incision.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcome of the feasible method of the free string type dorsalis pedis flap and anterior malleolus flap in the repairement of skin defects caused by penetrating wound of palm. Methods From May 2004 to July 2009, the free string-type dorsalis pedis flap and anterior malleolus flap were used to repair skin defects of 16 cases who sutained penetrating wounds of palm.Results All 32 flaps in the 16 cases were all survived. Follow-ups were done from 6 months to 2 years after operation. Both the appearances of the repaired palms and the functional recovery were satisfactory. The function assessment of the hand was excellent in 8 cases, good in 5 cases, fine in 2 cases and poor in 1 case.The eligible rate was 81.25%. Conclusion The anatomy of the dorsalis pedis flap and anterior malleolus flap is rare variant, which facilitate the dissection of the flaps during operation. The repairement of skin defects at two sides, both the palm and the back of hand, can be achieved via one operation. Therefore, the free string type dorsalis pedis flap and anterior malleolus flaps offer an ideal procedure to repair skin defects secondary to penetrating wound of palm.

BACKGROUND:Experiments have demonstrated that biological membranes can be usedtorecon struct thetendon she athandin hibit exogenou shealing of thetendon.Therefore,the semembrane sprovide a good bed for tendon gliding and reduce tendon adhesion.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the effectsof acelular amniotic membrane and medical membraneagainst tendon adhesion during the repair oftendon sheath defects.
METHODS:ToesIIIfrom the bipeds of 66 leghorns were chosen to prepare tendon injury and tendon sheath defect models, which were randomly divided into three groups (n=22 per group). Amnion group were repaired with acelular amniotic membrane, medical membrane group with absorbable membrane, and control group had no treatment on tendon sheath defects. Gross, histological and biomechanical tests of each group were performed at 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 12 weeks after surgery, in the amniotic membrane and medical membrane groups, the tendon sheath formed completely, and the tendon healed well, with no adhesion, but in the control group, there was serious tendon adhesion. At 8 weeks after surgery, the number of synovial cells in the false sheath was highest in the amniotic membrane group sequentially followed by the medical membrane group and control group. In the amniotic membrane group, the rough endoplasmic reticulum expanded highly and secreted exuberantly in the matrix, while in the control group, the synovial cells presented with messy arrangement, and expanded vacuoles in the matrix were weaker than those in the other two groups. At 12 weeks after surgery, fibroblasts were arrayedtidily in layerwith dense structure in the medical membrane and amniotic membrane groups;but in the control group, fibroblasts were distributed disorderly with loose structure. Tendon sliding distance and total flexor toe angle in the amniotic membrane and medical filmgroups were significantly larger than those in the control group (P < 0.05),butthere was no significant difference between the medical membrane and amniotic membrane groups. Additionally, the maximum tensile fracture strength had no significant difference among three groups at 12 weeks after surgery. These results indicate that both amniotic membrane and medical membrane can markedlyprotect the tendon from exogenous healing and adhesion.