Reliability of the pronator quadratus fat pad sign to predict the severity of distal radius fractures

AIM To evaluate the reliability of pronator quadratus fat pad sign to detect distal radius fracture and to predict its severity.METHODS Retrospectively we identified 89 consecutive patients(41 female, mean age 49 ± 18 years) who had X-ray(CR) and computed tomography(CT) within 24 h following distal forearm trauma. Thickness of pronator quadratus fat pad complex(PQC) was measured using lateral views(CR) and sagittal reconstructions(CT). Pearson's test was used to determine the correlation of the PQC thickness in CR and CT. A positive pronator quadratus sign(PQS) was defined as a PQC > 8.0 mm(female) or > 9.0 mm(male). Frykman classification was utilized to assess the severity of fractures.RESULTS Forty-four/89 patients(49%) had a distal radius fracture(Frykman Ⅰ n = 3, Ⅱ n = 0, Ⅲ n = 10, Ⅳ n = 5, Ⅴ n = 2, Ⅵ n = 2, Ⅶ n = 9, Ⅷ n = 13). Mean thickness of the PQC thickness can reliably be measured on X-ray views and was 7.5 ± 2.8 mm in lateral views(CR), respectively 9.4 ± 3.0 mm in sagittal reconstructions(CT), resulting in a significant correlation coefficientof 0.795. A positive PQS at CR was present in 21/44 patients(48%) with distal radius fracture and in 2/45 patients(4%) without distal radius fracture, resulting in a specificity of 96% and a sensitivity of 48% for the detection of distal radius fractures. There was no correlation between thickness of the PQC and severity of distal radius fractures.CONCLUSION A positive PQS shows high specificity but low sensitivity for detection of distal radius fractures. The PQC thickness cannot predict the severity of distal radius fractures.

Ultrasound-Guided Transmuscular Quadratus Lumbar Block Reduces Opioid Consumption after Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy

Objectives Transmuscular quadratus lumborum block(TQLB)may provide postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing intraperitoneal surgeries.The purpose of this study was to examine the potential efficacy of TQLB among patients undergoing retroperitoneal procedures,such as the laparoscopic partial nephrectomy(LPN).Methods This prospective,randomized,controlled study was conducted from August 2017 to November 2018 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital(Beijing,China).Patients who were scheduled for a LPN,aged 18・70 years old with an ASA physical status score of I-II were randomly assigned to receive either TQLB with 0.6 ml/kg of 0.5%ropivacaine plus general anesthesia(TQLB group)or general anesthesia alone(control group).Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with morphine was initiated immediately upon surgery completion.The primary outcome was the cumulative consumption of morphine within 8 h after surgery.The secondary outcome included postoperative consump廿ons of morphine at other time points,pain score at rest and during activity,postoperative nausa and vomitting(PONV),and recovery related parameters.Results Totally 30 patients per group were recruited in the study.The 8 h consumption of morphine was lower in theTQLB group than in the control group(median,0.023 mg/kg vs.0.068 mg/kg,U=207.5,P<0.001).No significant differences were observed in postoperative pain scores between the two groups.Patients in the TQLB group had fewer episodes of PONV(20%vs.47%,χ2=4.&P=0.028)in the first 24 h after surgery and higher scores for quality of recovery(mean,13&6 vs.131.9,t=-2.164,P=0.035)120 h after surgery than the controls.Conclusions TQLB resulted in an opioid-sparing effect during the early postoperative period following LPN,as well as a lower incidence of PONV and improved quality of recovery.

Effect of Subcostal Anterior Quadratus Lumborum Block vs.Oblique Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block after Laparoscopic Radical Gastrectomy

Objective:To evaluate the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided subcostal anterior quadratus lumborum block(QLB)for laparoscopic radical gastrectomy surgery.Methods:Patients(aged 20-65 years,ASA Ⅰ-Ⅱ,and weighing 40-75 kg)scheduled for elective laparoscopic radical gastrectomy were enrolled in the current study.Sixty patients were randomly assigned to two groups by computer-generated randomization codes:an ultrasound-guided oblique subcostal transversus abdominis plane block(TAPB)group(group T,n=30)or an ultrasound-guided subcostal anterior QLB group(group Q,n=30).In both groups,bilateral ultrasound-guided oblique subcostal TAPB and subcostal anterior QLB were performed before general anesthesia with 0.25% ropivacaine 0.5 mL/kg.For postoperative management,all patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)with nalbuphine and sufentanil after surgery,maintaining visual analogue scale(VAS)scores<4 within 48 h.The intraoperative consumption of remifentanil,the requirement for sufentanil as a rescue analgesic,and the VAS scores at rest and coughing were recorded at 1,6,12,24 and 48 h after surgery.The recovery(extubation time after surgery,first ambulation time,first flatus time and length of postoperative hospital stay)and the adverse events(nausea and vomiting,skin pruritus,respiratory depression and nerve-block related complications)were observed and recorded.The primary outcome was the perioperative consumption of opioids.Results:Compared with group T,the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil,requirement for sufentanil and the frequency of PCIA were reduced in group Q.Meanwhile,VAS scores at all points of observation were significantly lower in group Q than in group T.Patients in group Q were also associated with shorter time to first out-of-bed activity and flatus,and shorter length of postoperative hospital stay than group T(P<0.05).There were no skin pruritus,respiratory depression or nerve-block related complications in both groups.Conclusion:Compared with ultrasound-guided oblique subcostal TAPB,ultrasound-guided subcostal anterior QLB provided greater opioid-sparing effect,lower visual analogue scores,and shorter postoperative hospital stay for laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.

Effect of Bilateral Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block versus Lumbar Epidural Block on Postoperative Analgesia following Major Lower Abdominal Cancer Surgery

Background: Poor postoperative pain control leads to longer postoperative care, longer hospital stay and decreased patient overall satisfaction. Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of bilateral ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block versus lumbar epidural block on the management of postoperative pain following major lower abdominal cancer surgery. Methods: The study was a double-blinded, and randomized study, conducted in South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Egypt. It included cancer patients scheduled for major lower abdominal cancer surgery in the period from 2019 to 2020. They were divided into two groups: Group Ι received pre-emptive ultrasound-guided Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB) with 25 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine on each side of the abdominal wall before induction of General Anesthesia (GA), and Group II received pre-emptive lumbar epidural block with 15 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine before induction of GA. VAS score, and time of the first analgesic request and postoperative total analgesic consumption were evaluated. Results: Sixty patients were included in our study. VAS score at rest was comparable between both studied groups in the first 6 h. At 8 and 10 h, Group II had a significantly higher VAS score at rest (P < 0.001 and 0.026 respectively). Meanwhile, at 12 h, patients in Group I had a significantly higher VAS score (P = 0.026). Mean time of the first request for rescue analgesia was significantly prolonged in Group I (13.27 ± 2.38 hrs.) compared to Group II (10.20 ± 1.42 hrs.) (P < 0.001) respectively, mean total morphine consumption, over the first 24 hours postoperatively, was significantly lower in Group I (5.17 ± 1.32 mg) than in Group II (7.33 ± 1.45 mg) (P < 0.001). A larger number of patients in Group II had nausea at different time points postoperatively than in Group I (P < 0.001), but no significant difference was observed between both studied groups regarding the incidence of vomiting. Limitation: Small sample size and shorter period for postoperative follow-up. Conclusions: Management of postoperative pain following major lower abdominal cancer surgery with US-guided QLB was associated with the reduction in the total analgesic consumption and delayed the first request of analgesia as compared to lumbar epidural block technique.

A modified technique of bone grafting pedicled with femoral quadratus for alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Background Quadratus femoris pedicled bone grafting has yielded satisfactory long-term clinical outcome for osteonecrosis of the femoral head （ONFH） in pre-collapse ONFH without extensive lesion. However, for pre-collapse ONFH with extensive necrotic area, it is still challenging to preserve the femoral head. The current study aimed to introduce a new technique of deliquesce strut with titanium mesh containing bone grafting pedicled with the femoral quadratus and to evaluate its short-term outcomes.Methods From January 2008 to December 2008, 10 ONFH patients （12 hips） underwent operations by a new technique of deliquesce strut with titanium mesh containing bone grafting pedicled with the femoral quadratus （group A）.According to the ARCO classification system, there were two hips in stage Ⅱ B and 10 hips in stage Ⅱ C. Also in the same period, 12 ONFH patients （16 hips） underwent operations by the conventional procedure of quadratus femoris pedicled bone grafting （group B）. There were 6 hips in stage Ⅱ B and 10 hips in stage Ⅱ C. All patients were males and suffered from alcohol induced ONFH. For the new technique, the necrotic area was evaluated, and a titanium mesh piece of the same size （range from 2.5 cm×2.8 cm to 2.8 cm×3.4 cm） was obtained and shaped to match the contour of the head. The cancellous bone was first placed underneath the subchondral bone and was densely impacted （about 1 to 2 mm thick）.Then the titanium mesh piece was inserted. The length of the decompressive trough was measured. A titanium cylinder mesh cage with a diameter of 1.6 cm of the same length was obtained, with a ＂U＂ shaped window in the wall being created to make room for the muscle pedicle. The muscle pedicle bone was inserted into the titanium mesh cage to form a bone graft-titanium cage complex and, then the complex was inserted. The hundred percent score method was used for outcome evaluation. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were compared between group A and group B.Results The average operative time was 150 minutes （130 to 185 minutes） in group A, with an average of 130 minutes （120 to 180 minutes） in group B. The mean blood loss was 400 ml （300 to 500 ml） in group Aand 350 ml （250 to 500 ml）in group B. Group A patients were followed up for an average of 19.2 months （14 to 24 months）, with an average of 18.5 months （12 to 24 months） for Group B. Full weight bearing was allowed 5 to 7 months postoperatively. Pain and function were obviously improved. For group A, pain score improved from a mean of 9.8 points preoperatively to an average of 24.6 points postoperatively, and function score improved from a mean of 9.0 points preoperatively to an average of 17.4 points postoperatively. In group B, pain score improved from a mean of 9.5 points preoperatively to an average of 24.2 points postoperatively and function score improved from a mean of 9.2 points preoperatively to an average of 17.2 points postoperatively. The range of motion changed the least, with score improvement from a preoperative mean of 13.9 points to postoperative 16.8 points for group A and from a preoperative mean of 13.7 points to postoperative 16.5 points for group B. Radiographic score improved from preoperative 31 points to postoperative 38 points for group A, in comparison with an improvement from preoperative 31 points to postoperative 37 points for group B. At the latest follow up, 11 hips were rated as excellent and 1 hip was better for group A, with 14 hips being rated as excellent and 2 hips being better in group B. There was no statistically significant difference between groups A and B in clinical and radiographic outcomes.Conclusion For ONFH in stage ARCO llC, satisfactory clinical outcome can be achieved by the new technique in the short-term period while the long-term clinical outcome has yet to be determined.

Effect of fixing distal radius fracture with volar locking palmar plates while preserving pronator quadratus

Background L-shaped incision of pronator quadratus （PQ） muscle along its radial and distal borders was always taken for distal radius fractures reduction and internal fixation.Repair of the PQ muscle was always recommended at the end of operation for some instructive reasons.But repair of PQ is not satisfied because of poor quality of muscle and fascial tissues which may cause pain or impede forearm pronation and supination for post-operative scarring around PQ.Inserting the locking palmar plate to pass under the pronator quadratus muscle and the locking screws are inserted through miniincisions in pronator quadratus in some patients with distal radius fractures is a reasonable technique which can preserve the pronator quadratus.The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical effects after volar plating of the distal radius fractures while preserving the pronator quadratus and pronator quadratus repair.Methods Between September 2010 and April 2012,65 patients （42 males and 23 females; aged 20-68 years and a mean age of 42.5 years） with distal radius fracture underwent open reduction and internal fixation using the volar locking palmar plates （Depuy or Smith companies）.The patients were classified as 23A-2 through 23C-3 according to the Orthopaedic Trauma Association （OTA） classifications.All surgeries were completed by the same trained team.The volar locking palmar plates of distal radius performed with preserving pronator quadratus group involved 30 patients including 19 males and 11 females and performed with pronator quadratus repair group involved 35 patients including 23 males and 12 females.We compared the two groups for wrist pain,forearm range of motion,grip strength,pedoperative complications and wrist functional recovery score.Results The minimum follow-up for the whole cohort was one year.The differences between the two groups were significant with regard to wrist pain,forearm range of motion,grip strength and wrist function at 1,2,and 6 weeks postoperatively,but insignificant at 6 and 12 months postoperatively.No significant differences were found in the pedoperative complications and radiographs postoperatively.Conclusions Preservation of the pronator quadratus muscle is a satisfactory method for the treatment of majority of the fractures of the distal radius with volar locking palmar plates,as this technique can yield better early wrist function and shorten the rehabilitation.

Quadratus femoris muscle pedicle bone flap transplantation in the treatment of femoral neck fracture for Chinese young and middle-aged patients： A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose： To compare the efficacy of quadratus femoris muscle pedicle bone flap transplantation combined with hollow compression screw fixation versus AO hollow compression screw fixation in the treatment of femoral neck fracture for Chinese young and middle-aged patients. Methods： Case-controlled studies （CCTs） were used to compare the two operative methods in the treatment of femoral neck fractures. Data were retrieved from the Cochrane Library, Pubmed Database, CNKI, Chinese Biomedical Database. Wanfang Data published during the period of January 2005 to December 2014. Methodological quality of the trials was critically assessed, and relevant data were extracted. Statistical Software Revman S.0 was used for data-analysis. Results： Eight articles were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that there was statistical significance in the rate of fracture healing [OR = 5.43, 95% CI （2.89, 10.20）, p 〈 0.05], the rate of good function of hip joint [OR=5.12, 95% CI （3.21, 8.17）, p 〈 0.05], the rate of femoral head necrosis [OR = 4.21, 95% CI （2.02, 8.76）, p 〈 0.05], the time of fracture healing [WMD = -46.85, 95% CI （-65.13, -28.56）, p 〈 0.05] between the two groups. Conclusions： For the treatment of femoral neck fractures, the transplantation of quadratus femoris muscle pedicle bone flap combined with hollow compression screw; fixation is superior to the AO hollow compression screw fixation in terms of the rate; of fracture healing, the rate of good function of hip joint, the rate of femoral head： necrosis and the time of fracture healing.

Do we really need to repair the pronator quadratus after distal radius plating?

Purpose:Fractures of distal radius are one of the common orthopaedic injuries.Placing the plate on volar surface requires release of underlying pronator quadratus(PQ)muscle.No consensus is present in the literature about the repair or not of the PQ.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of PQ repair on functional outcome and complications.Methods:Retrospectively 83 patients of distal radius fractures managed with volar plating between 2014 and 2016 were evaluated.Demographic data,operative notes and physical therapy records were retrieved.Patients were divided into group A where PQ repair was done and group B where no repair was done.Functional data such as range of motion(ROM),grip strength,visual analogue scale(VAS)score and disabilities of arm,shoulder and hand(DASH)score at 4 weeks,3 months,6 months and finial follow-up were retrieved.Results:Totally 63 patients(n=29 in group A and n=34 in group B)with the mean age of 51.64 years were examined.Patients were followed up for a mean of 35.2 months(range 27.2-47.1 months)in group A and 38.6 months(range 28.6-51.0 months)in group B.Though functional outcome of the affected limb was not significantly different between two groups after 3 months,PQ repair did affect the recovery at an early stage.Repair group had significantly better ROM(p=0.0383)and VAS score at 4 weeks(p=0.017)while grip strength(p=0.014)was significantly better at 3 months.Conclusions:Repair of PQ may provide pain relief and increased ROM in early postoperative period and hence every attempt should be made to achieve the repair.

Effect of ultrasound-guided lumbar square muscle block on stress response in patients undergoing radical gastric cancer surgery

BACKGROUND Radical surgery is a common treatment for patients with gastric cancer;however,it can lead to postoperative complications and intestinal barrier dysfunction.Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block is often used for postoperative analgesia,but its effects on stress response and intestinal barrier function are not well understood.AIM To investigate the effects of an ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block on stress response and intestinal barrier function in patients undergoing radical surgery for gastric cancer.METHODS A total of 100 patients undergoing radical surgery for gastric cancer were randomly categorized into observation and control groups.Plasma adrenaline and cortisol levels,intestinal mucosal barrier indexes,and complication rates were compared between the two groups before,during,and 1 day after surgery.RESULTS The observation group had significantly lower plasma adrenaline and cortisol levels during surgery and at 1 day postoperatively than that of the control group(P<0.05).Additionally,intestinal barrier indexes(endotoxin and D-dimer)at 1 day postoperatively were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block could reduce stress response,protect intestinal barrier function,and decrease the incidence of complications in patients undergoing radical surgery for gastric cancer.This technique has the potential for clinical applications.

Combined lumbar muscle block and perioperative comprehensive patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with butorphanol in gynecological endoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic surgery has become a common surgical approach for the clinical treatment of intra-abdominal lesions in recent years.We hypothesized that lumbar block with postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)by butorphanol after gynecological surgery under general anesthesia would be more effective than PCIA by butorphanol alone.AIM To investigate the effect of lumbar block with PCIA by butorphanol after gynecological surgery under general anesthesia.METHODS This study assessed 120 women scheduled for laparoscopic surgery at our hospital between May 2017 and May 2020.They were divided using a random number table into a research group(those who received quadratus lumborum block combined with PCIA analgesia by butorphanol)and a control group(those who received only PCIA analgesia by butorphanol),with 60 patients in each group.Demographic factors,visual analog scale scores for pain,serum inflammatory markers,PCIA compressions,Ramsay scores,and adverse events were compared between groups using a t-test,analysis of variance,orχ2 test,as appropriate.RESULTS There were no significant differences in demographic factors between groups(all P>0.05).The visual analog scale scores of the research group in the resting state 12 h and 24 h postoperatively were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).Two hours after surgery,there were no significant differences in the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin(IL)-6,or IL-8 between groups(P>0.05).The serum tumor necrosis factor-αlevels of the research group 24 h postoperatively were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).The levels of serum IL-6 and IL-8 in the study group 24 h and 48 h postoperatively were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Lumbar block with PCIA with butorphanol after gynecological surgery under general anesthesia significantly improves the analgesic effect and reduces the degree of inflammation,instances of PCIA compression,and adverse reactions.