Wilke, Benjamin K.

Purpose. Previous studies have grouped the treatment of axial and appendicular synovial sarcomas. The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic variables of upper extremity synovial sarcomas (UESS) and compare the outcomes of those who underwent a nononcologic or inadvertent excision prior to definitive resection to those who underwent an initial oncologic resection. Methods. We reviewed the records of 23 UESS treated with definitive surgery at our institution between 1990 and 2014. There were 13 women and 10 men with a median age of 30 years (6–60) and median follow-up of 63 months (15–248). Prognostic variables, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were then assessed. Results. Fifteen patients (65%) had a prior unplanned excision. Five patients required an amputation to obtain local control of disease. There were 3 observed local recurrences and 2 distant metastases at a median of 45 months from presentation. We found no difference in need for amputation, RFS, or OS between those who had undergone a planned excision and those who had an unplanned excision. Conclusion. While we were unable to find a significant difference in outcomes or amputation rates between those who underwent reexcision of a previously unplanned excision and those who underwent an initial planned resection, the high rate of unplanned excision is troubling and should remind practitioners to consider sarcoma in the differential of all upper extremity masses.

Background: Dorsal pain from osteoarthritic midfoot joints is thought to be relayed by branches of the medial and lateral plantar, sural, saphenous, and deep peroneal nerves (DPN). However, there is no consensus on the actual number or pathways of the nervous branches for midfoot joint capsular innervation. This study examined the DPN’s terminal branches at the midfoot joint capsules through anatomic dissection and confirmation of their significance in a clinical case series of patients with midfoot pain relief after DPN block. Methods: Eleven cadaveric lower leg specimens, 6 left and 5 right, were dissected using operative loupe magnification. We preserved the terminal branches and recorded their paths and branching patterns. Joint capsular innervations were individually noted. To confirm our hypothesis of significant dorsal midfoot joint capsular innervation by the DPN, we also performed an institutional review board–approved retrospective chart review of 37 patients with painful dorsal midfoot osteoarthritis who underwent diagnostic local anesthetic injection block of the DPN. The percentage of temporary pain relief after the injection was recorded. Results: Terminal innervation of the DPN branches showed distribution of the second and third tarsometatarsal joints in all specimens. Inconsistent innervation of the naviculocuneiform (9/11), fourth (7/11), first (6/11), and fifth (4/11) tarsometatarsal and calcaneocuboid joints (1/11) were observed. The retrospective review of pain relief in patients with dorsal midfoot pain due to arthritis after diagnostic injection demonstrated a mean of 92.1% improvement. Conclusion: Innervation of the dorsal midfoot joint capsule appears to follow a consistent distribution across 3 joints: second and third tarsometatarsal joints and the naviculocuneiform joint. Acute relief of dorsal midfoot arthritic pain after diagnostic injection suggests that dorsal midfoot nociceptive pain is at least partly transmitted by the DPN. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the hand are exceedingly rare. The aim of this study was to review our institution’s experience with STS of the hand to identify factors affecting outcomes and survivorship. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 46 hand STS treated with definitive surgery at our institution between 1992 and 2013. Pertinent demographics as well as information regarding the surgical procedure, and disease status at latest follow-up were reviewed. Mean age at diagnosis was 38 years with a mean follow-up of 5 years. Results: The most common tumor subtypes were epithelioid (n = 10) and synovial sarcoma (n = 8). Sixty-one percent were superficial in location. Thirty-three patients had had a nononcologic resection prior to definitive surgical treatment at our institution. Ultimately, negative margins were obtained in all cases. Local recurrence was observed in 5 patients and distant metastases in 14 patients. Tumor sizes ≥2 cm, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) grade, and depth of the tumor were found to adversely affect the outcome in terms of disease-free and overall survival. Reexcision of an inadvertently excised tumor at an outside institution did not adversely affect the outcome. The 10-year overall and disease-free survival was 72% and 63%. Conclusions: Local recurrence after a wide excision was observed infrequently; however, distant disease was relatively common. Tumors with a size ≥2 cm were associated with a worse disease-free and overall survival, highlighting the aggressive nature of these tumors.

Purpose In order to achieve an oncological margin during limb salvage surgery for tumours around the hip, part or the entire hip joint is frequently sacrificed. Hip arthroplasty restores a functional extremity and achieves limb salvage. Currently there is a paucity of data concerning the late complications, long-term survival, and the risks of re-revision following aseptic revision of a total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed following an oncological resection. Methods We identified 78 patients who underwent aseptic revision of a THA which was performed for an oncological process involving the hip from 1972 to 2006. All patients had a minimum 5 years of follow-up with a mean of 13 years. Outcomes were compared to 1,378 patients undergoing aseptic revision of a THA that was performed for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Results The mean 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year re-revision-free survival for an oncologic process of the hip was 100%, 85%, 69%, and 57%. Within this cohort, younger patients were at an increased risk of revision surgery. There was no difference in survivorship of the revision implant at any of the aforementioned time points between the oncologic and osteoarthritis cohorts. Patients with an oncologic diagnosis had a higher rate of dislocations, component wear, and loosening compared to the osteoarthritis group. Conclusion Late complications following revision surgery of THA performed for an oncologic resection are common. The results of this study provide information for counselling patients on implant survivorship and complications following aseptic revision THA after index surgery for an oncologic indication.

Background: Ankle arthrodesis is considered to be a well-accepted technique for end-stage ankle arthritis. Our purpose was to evaluate outcomes of patients with bilateral ankle arthrodeses with attention to radiographic and functional outcomes. Methods: Medical records of 31 patients were reviewed from 1977 through 2007. All patients had 1 year of clinical follow-up after their contralateral ankle arthrodesis, with an average follow-up of 11.2 years following the initial arthrodesis. Pertinent patient demographics and information pertaining to the operative procedure, complications, and subsequent adjacent joint fusions was collected. Radiographs were reviewed for time to fusion and adjacent joint arthritis. Functional outcomes were measured using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle and Hindfoot scale. Results: Ten females and 21 males underwent bilateral ankle fusions at an average age of 57 years at the time of the initial fusion. The contralateral fusion occurred on average 3.1 years following the initial fusion. Radiographic fusion occurred 12 weeks following the initial fusion and 14 weeks following the contralateral fusion. There was a significant increase ( P = .0001) in the average AOFAS score postoperatively in both ankles. The average FAAM score at last follow-up was 70. Adjacent joint arthritis developed in the majority of patients; however, most of the patients were free from adjacent fusions and reported their function as “normal” or “nearly normal” at last follow-up. Conclusion: Bilateral ankle arthrodesis was an acceptable treatment option for patients with bilateral, end-stage ankle arthritis. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.