Field Of Hand Surgery Research Articles

The 100 most cited articles in hand surgery from 2012–2022: a bibliometric analysis

Introduction: There has been an increase in the volume of scientific literature over the last decade in the field of hand surgery. The purpose of this bibliometric analysis was to ascertain the articles that have significantly contributed to advancements in hand surgery. Methods: The Web of Science database was used to produce a list of the 100 most cited articles from February 2012 to February 2022. The full text of all articles was carefully examined for further descriptive analysis not limited to subject matter, journal of publication, authorship, institution, country and year of publication. Results: The 100 most cited articles were cited on average 75 times. The most cited article was cited 179 times. Subject matter was not limited to pain management, distal radius fractures and tendon injuries. Source journals were spread across 36 journals, but six prominent journals published 60 per cent of articles. Conclusion: While the measurement of scientific merit is not solely based on bibliometric analysis, this study provides a good representation of substantial work in the last decade.

AI in Hand Surgery: Assessing Large Language Models in the Classification and Management of Hand Injuries.

Background: OpenAI's ChatGPT (San Francisco, CA, USA) and Google's Gemini (Mountain View, CA, USA) are two large language models that show promise in improving and expediting medical decision making in hand surgery. Evaluating the applications of these models within the field of hand surgery is warranted. This study aims to evaluate ChatGPT-4 and Gemini in classifying hand injuries and recommending treatment. Methods: Gemini and ChatGPT were given 68 fictionalized clinical vignettes of hand injuries twice. The models were asked to use a specific classification system and recommend surgical or nonsurgical treatment. Classifications were scored based on correctness. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a paired two-tailed t-test, and sensitivity testing. Results: Gemini, correctly classifying 70.6% hand injuries, demonstrated superior classification ability over ChatGPT (mean score 1.46 vs. 0.87, p-value < 0.001). For management, ChatGPT demonstrated higher sensitivity in recommending surgical intervention compared to Gemini (98.0% vs. 88.8%), but lower specificity (68.4% vs. 94.7%). When compared to ChatGPT, Gemini demonstrated greater response replicability. Conclusions: Large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini show promise in assisting medical decision making, particularly in hand surgery, with Gemini generally outperforming ChatGPT. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the strengths and limitations of different models when integrating them into clinical practice.

Accuracy of Three-dimensional Scan Technology and Its Possible Function in the Field of Hand Surgery.

Three-dimensional (3D) technology has become a standard manufacturing element in many industries and has gained significant interest in plastic surgery. The 3D scans are widely used for patient communication, virtual surgery planning, and intraoperative tool manufacturing, providing a more comprehensive view of procedures and their outcomes compared with 2D visualization. We evaluated the performance of six commercially available 3D scanners by acquiring 3D models of a human hand and a 3D-printed replica of a human hand. We performed objective comparisons between the 3D models of the replica using color mapping techniques. Moreover, we compared the results of the human hand 3D scans. We achieved the highest precision with the Artec Space Spider 3D scanner (Artec 3D) when scanning the 3D-printed replica. The SD was ±0.05 mm, and the scan did not have major defects that needed manual correction. On the human hand scan, we achieved the best results using the Artec Eva (Artec 3D), the resulting scan was an accurate digital representation of the scanned human hand. In our study, the Artec Space Spider 3D scanner demonstrated superior precision when scanning a 3D-printed replica, deviating only slightly from the original data, making it an optimal choice for nonmoving objects such as casts or medical instruments. For scanning human hands, the Artec Eva 3D scanner exhibited the highest performance, offering accuracy comparable to the Artec Space Spider, but with the added benefit of being able to scan larger objects.

Study Characteristics and Impact of the “Best Papers” Presented at ASSH Annual Meetings Over the Past Decade

Each year, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) selects several abstracts for podium presentations during a "Best Papers" session. We examined these papers to better understand their characteristics and impact on the field of hand surgery. "Best Papers" from the 2010 to 2020 ASSH Annual Meetings were reviewed. Online databases were searched to find matching publications. Descriptive data were collected from the publications. The Hirsch index value for each corresponding author and the number of citations for each publication were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Fifty-nine "Best Papers" were awarded during the study period. Forty-nine (83%) were clinical and 10 were basic science studies. A total of 39 observational studies, 11 human trials, 8 experimental studies, and 1 case series were present. Fifty-four (91.5%) were published at the time of our review. Twenty-six of those (48%) were multicenter studies, and the remaining 28 were from a single institution. The average time from presentation to publication was 16 months. The top three journals of publication were the Journal of Hand Surgery (33%), the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (9%), and the Journal of Hand Surgery, European (7%). The median level of evidence for all "Best Papers" was 3, with a trend toward a higher level of evidence during the study period. The average h-index value of all corresponding authors was 27.3. The average number of citations per publication was37. The ASSH "Best Papers" were primarily clinical studies with an increasingly strong level of evidence and were likely led by an author with a history of research productivity. Selection as a "Best Paper" at ASSH Annual Meetings is a strong predictor of future publication and impact. This study evaluates the "value" of the best paper designation at the ASSH annual meeting.

Flexor Tendon Injuries and Hand Tendinorrhaphy: A Comprehensive Review

Flexor tendon injuries of the hand represent a challenging clinical entity with significant functional implications. This comprehensive article delves into the intricate realm of flexor tendon injuries, shedding light on the pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, and treatment modalities, with a primary focus on the surgical technique of tendinorrhaphy. The article commences with an exploration of the anatomy and biomechanics of flexor tendons, elucidating the pivotal role they play in hand function. It subsequently outlines the diverse etiologies that lead to tendon injuries, encompassing traumatic, iatrogenic, and spontaneous causes, while emphasizing the importance of prompt and accurate diagnosis through clinical assessment, imaging, and functional testing. A detailed exposition of the principles and techniques of tendinorrhaphy follows, elucidating the surgical intricacies involved in repairing damaged flexor tendons. The article discusses suture materials, repair methods, and rehabilitation protocols, highlighting the importance of postoperative care and meticulous hand therapy in optimizing outcomes. Furthermore, this article critically reviews emerging trends and innovations in the field, including the use of tissue engineering, biomaterials, and minimally invasive approaches, all of which hold promise for enhancing the management of flexor tendon injuries. In conclusion, this article offers a comprehensive overview of flexor tendon injuries in the hand and underscores the pivotal role of tendinorrhaphy as a cornerstone in their treatment. With a holistic perspective on the subject, it provides clinicians and researchers with a valuable resource to navigate the intricacies of this challenging clinical scenario and fosters ongoing advancements in the field of hand surgery.

Hand Surgeon Posture: An Evaluation and Factors That Affect It

ObjectiveApproximately 68% of orthopaedic surgeons report occupational related musculoskeletal pain, with back pain being the most common. Poor posture while operating has been proven to contribute to these high rates of musculoskeletal pain. There is little research regarding intraoperative surgeon posture within the field of hand and upper extremity surgery. This prospective study aims to investigate and analyze hand surgeon posture in the operating room. MethodsPosture of three hand surgeons was recorded using the UPRIGHT GO posture tracking device while performing a prospective series of 223 hand and upper extremity surgeries. This device reports posture in terms of overall percentage of time spent slouched versus upright. For this cohort of 223 cases, data were collected including surgical procedure, whether the surgery was performed in a seated or standing position, whether or not loupes were worn during the procedure, and if the surgeon was the primary or assistant surgeon. These data were then analyzed to look for any contributing factors to poor posture. ResultsThe three hand surgeons in this study spent an average of 40.3% of their time slouched while operating. The average percentage of time slouched was significantly greater with the use of loupes versus no loupes. Additionally, mean time slouching was slightly increased when the surgeon was seated and also when the surgeon was acting as the assistant surgeon. ConclusionThe three orthopaedic hand surgeons in our study spent a significant portion of their operative time slouched. The main variable associated with a significant risk of poor surgical posture was wearing loupes. Slight increases in slouching were seen with operating while seated and as the assistant surgeon. Surgeon awareness of these variables, as well as techniques to improve surgeon posture, should be developed in order to help contribute to better surgeon posture within the field of hand surgery.

Exploring the Role of a Large Language Model on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Management: An Observation Study of ChatGPT

Recently, large language models, such as ChatGPT, have emerged as promising tools to facilitate scientific research and health care management. The present study aimed to explore the extent of knowledge possessed by ChatGPT concerning carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a compressive neuropathy that may lead to impaired hand function and that is frequently encountered in the field of hand surgery. Six questions pertaining to diagnosis and management of CTS were posed to ChatGPT. The responses were subsequently analyzed and evaluated based on their accuracy, coherence, and comprehensiveness. In addition, ChatGPT was requested to provide five high-level evidence references in support of its answers. A simulated doctor-patient consultation was also conducted to assess whether ChatGPT could offer safe medical advice. ChatGPT supplied clinically relevant information regarding CTS, although at a relatively superficial level. In the context of doctor-patient interaction, ChatGPT suggested a diagnostic pathway that deviated from the widely accepted clinical consensus on CTS diagnosis. Nevertheless, it incorporated differential diagnoses and valuable management options for CTS. Although ChatGPT demonstrated the ability to retain and recall information from previous patient conversations, it infrequently produced pertinent references, many of which were either nonexistent or incorrect. ChatGPT displayed the capability to deliver validated medical information on CTS to nonmedical individuals. However, the generation of nonexistent and inaccurate references by ChatGPT presents a challenge to academic integrity. To increase their utility in medicine and academia, large language models must go through specialized reputable data set training and validation from experts. It is essential to note that at present, large language models cannot replace the expertise of health care professionals and may act as a supportive tool.

Practice Trends in Plastic Hand Surgery: An Evaluation of Cases in the TOPS Database

BackgroundPrevious studies have sought to outline the clinical practice of hand surgeons with plastic surgery training backgrounds. Still, minimal data exist characterizing the scope of hand surgery among plastic surgeons, regardless of the subspecialty fellowship training. MethodsAll hand procedures logged in the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS) database from 2002 to 2016 were identified by the Common Procedural Technology (CPT) code and/or “upper extremity” anatomic classification. Trends in the total number and types of procedures, facility type, admission type, modes and providers of anesthesia, and patient demographics were reviewed. ResultsA total of 182,137 hand procedures performed on 82,811 patients during the 15-year period were reviewed. Sixty-eight percent of procedures involved soft tissue only, and 22.7% involved only bone and/or joint. The most common procedure categories included the following: wound closure/coverage (15.8%), debridement/drainage (15.3%), nerve (13.2%), tendon (12.9%), and fracture/dislocation (12.9%). Ambulatory and office-based procedures increased over time, along with the use of local anesthetic, as well as a transition from the procedural surgeon providing anesthesia to the use of anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists. In addition, hand procedures have remained a considerable proportion of all logged procedures but have seen a steady decline since 2014. ConclusionPlastic surgeons play an important role in the field of hand surgery, performing a wide variety of procedure types, which has remained stable over time. The trends in facility type and anesthesia characteristics have, however, varied.

PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH IN-OFFICE HAND PROCEDURES

In the field of hand surgery, physicians are working to improve patient satisfaction by offering several minor procedures in the physician's office via the WALANT method. We seek to investigate the degree of patient satisfaction, out of pocket cost, convenience and comfort experienced with in-office hand procedures.A ten question survey consisting of a ten-point Likert scale of agreement and questions asking for a numerical answer was administered via phone call to 33 patients treated with minor hand operations in the office setting in the United States.There were 18 male and 15 female respondents with an average age of 65.59±12.64 years. Respondents underwent procedures including trigger finger release (18), needle aponeurotomy (7), and other minor hand operations. Survey responses indicated strong agreement with questions 1-3 and 6–8, with responses averaging 9.60±0.23 in these positive metrics. Questions 4 and 5, which asked whether the surgery and recovery period were painful, respectively, averaged 2.65±0.49, indicating a mild level of disagreement that either was “painful”. Additionally, most patients responded that they did not take time off work (12) or are not currently employed (11). Other respondents (3) reported taking between one to five days off work post-operatively. 27 respondents also reported an out of pocket cost averaging $382±$976, depending on insurance coverage.Patients reported a small degree of pain in the operative and post-operative period, a high degree of comfort and convenience and a high degree of satisfaction. Likewise, the patient-reported out of pocket cost was far lower than comparable surgical costs in alternate settings. These results support the use of in-office procedures for minor hand surgeries from a patient perspective and indicate a nearly universal intent to repeat any future hand operations in the office setting.

The International Medical Graduate Perspective in Hand Surgery: Legacy and Future Challenges.

International medical graduates (IMGs) have made significant contributions in the field of hand surgery in terms of bringing in skill, innovation, research, and leadership and have gone onto mentor the next generations of hand surgeons. In this article, we have highlights some such contributions. We also highlight various pathways that IMGs take to establish their practice in the United States and the various challenges and hurdles they face.

Diverse Leadership in Hand Surgery: Foundation on the Shoulder of Giants.

Surgical leaders exhibit unique characteristics that allow them to impact and innovate their respective fields. In Hand Surgery, we recognize areas of leadership success, including leadership of position, leadership of innovation, and academic leadership. This article aims to define the term "success" and provide examples of how a diverse climate can lead to leadership success by highlighting a few stories of diverse giants in the field of Hand Surgery.

Allyship for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Hand Surgery.

This article endeavors to be a resource to those individuals interested in becoming an ally or educating potential allies in the field of Hand Surgery. The definitions of allyship, its history, and its expected benefits are considered. The qualities of a good ally are enumerated, and approaches to becoming a better ally are described. The authors provide personal experience with impactful allies and describe strategies and resources on a local and national level. The authors conclude with "Bigger Questions": those issues that seem essential to have allyship succeed in expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the specialty.

LGBTQ+ Perspective in Hand Surgery: Surgeon and Patient.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+)individuals and patients face high levels of discrimination both in the workplace and in the clinic setting, with more than 25% of LGBTQ+people experiencing discrimination in the workplace due to their sexual orientation. Hand Surgery stands to continue to advance by encouraging the brightest students into the field no matter their background. LGBTQ+patients also have specific needs within the field of Hand Surgery, where we are uniquely positioned to treat them or guide them by being well versed in the needs of the community.

Intraoperative Active Motion Confirmation During Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet Surgery

As a recent advance in the field of hand surgery, the wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet surgical technique-performed using an epinephrine-containing local anesthetic without a tourniquet while the patient is awake-has attracted attention. The wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet technique has been indicated for surgeries such as trigger release, soft tissue tumor excision, surgery for Dupuytren contracture, thumb carpometacarpal arthroplasty, or any other tendon, nerve, or ligament surgeries, requiring intraoperative active motion confirmation. Herein, the surgical procedures performed with the wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet technique have been described; moreover, the indications and precautions of this technique have been reconsidered.

Basic science approaches to common hand surgery problems.

The field of hand surgery is constantly evolving to meet challenges of populations with increasing age and higher demands for active living. While our surgical care has improved over the last decades, it seems that future major improvement in outcomes of clinical treatment will come through advances in biologics and the translation of major discoveries in basic science. This article aims to provide an update on where basic science solutions may answer some of the most critical issues in hand surgery, with a focus on augmentation of tissue repair.

QS3: Practice Trends in Plastic Hand Surgery: An Evaluation of Cases in the ASPS TOPs Database

Purpose:Despite making up 20-25% of hand surgeons with subspecialty certification in the field, little data exists characterizing the clinical practice of hand surgery among plastic surgeons. This study sought to evaluate hand surgery cases in the national Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS) database.Methods:All hand procedures logged in the TOPS database between 2002 and 2016 were identified by CPT code and/or “upper extremity” anatomic classification. Trends in the total number and types of procedures, facility type, admission type, modes and providers of anesthesia, and patient demographics were reviewed.Results:A total of 182,137 hand procedures performed on 82,811 patients were logged during the 15-year period reviewed. Sixty-eight percent of procedures were classified as involving soft tissue only, and 22.7% involved only bone and/or joint. The most common procedure categories included: wound closure/coverage (15.8%), debridement/drainage (15.3%), nerve (13.2%), tendon (12.9%), and fracture/dislocation (12.9%). This category breakdown remained relatively stable over time. Evaluation of longitudinal trends identified an increase over time in procedures performed in the ambulatory and office-based settings and the use of local anesthetic, as well as a transition from the procedural surgeon providing anesthesia to the use of anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists. The average patient ASA increased from 1.27 to 1.83.Conculsions:Plastic surgeons play an important role in the field of hand surgery, performing a large breadth of procedure types, which has remained stable over time. The trends in facility type and anesthesia characteristics have, however, varied.

Disseminating Hand Surgery Research Using Social Media: The Relationship Between Altmetrics and Citations

Social media adds to the traditional methods of research dissemination. It allows researchers and publishers to immediately share content directly with interested end users on a global scale. Alternative metrics (altmetrics) are new bibliometrics that describe article-level activity on platforms such as Twitter, Wikipedia, and online news media. Altmetrics are strongly associated with citation counts in numerous medical disciplines. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of altmetrics to citation counts in the field of hand surgery. Altmetric Explorer was used to extract data on altmetrics and citation rates for articles published in 2017 in 6 prominent hand surgery journals. Multivariable negative binomial regression was used to estimate the relationship between citation counts and predictors (presented as the incidence rate ratio with a 95% confidence interval [CI]). Overall, 624 articles were included. Mentions on social media platforms were independently associated with more citations (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.04 [95% CI 1.02-1.05]). The factor that most influenced the rate of citations was the journal in which the article was published; articles in the Journal of Hand Surgery had at least 1 more citation than articles published elsewhere (median difference 3 [interquartile range {IQR} 2-3]) and had a median Altmetric Attention Score which was 3 points higher (IQR 2-3) than articles published elsewhere. The dissemination of hand surgery research through social media channels is associated with substantial and measurable improvements in short-term citation rates CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Social media appears to be a valuable tool for communicating important research directly to hand surgeons in a timely and succinct manner.

Replantation

The advent of microsurgery has profoundly impacted the field of hand surgery, providing a means for precise coaptation of vessel and nerve, consequently allowing salvage of amputated parts. Despite these technical advances, the overall goal of management following amputation remains the same – provide the most functional outcome for each patient’s individual occupational and vocational needs. Therefore, it is not only the surgeon’s task to competently perform a replantation when necessary, but also understand in which patients and injuries a revision amputation may ultimately provide a superior outcome. Candidacy for replantation should be resolved by way of a focused history, physical examination, radiographic imaging, and a thorough discussion regarding the need for rehabilitation and potential for secondary procedures. Ultimately, there are very few absolute indications or contraindications for replantation, and each case must be considered on an individual basis. This review contains 3 figures, 4 tables, and 28 references. Key words: amputation, upper extremity, hand, digit, salvage, replant, replantation, revascularization, surgery of the hand

Тяжелая травма кисти с повреждением сухожильно-мышечного аппарата области гипотенара и сосудисто-нервного пучка

The human hand is a unique tool, without which daily life is impossible. Violation of internal structures integrity leads to disturbance of connections and to functional impairments. Injuries, genetic diseases, infections – all these are but a few among many causes of pathology development. Mechanical damage occupies a separate place in this classification since damage is suffered by several structures. Statistically, the damage to internal components of the hand ranges from 1.9% to 18.8%. A clinical case describing observation of a patient with severe hand injury with damage to flexor tendons of the fingers, muscles of the hypothenar and violation of neurovascular bundle integrity obtained by the profiled sheeting is presented. The tactics of surgical treatment is subdivided into the general and the special ones. The general tactics consists in primary surgical treatment of the wound, the special one is decided upon drawing on the intraoperative data. Unfortunately, it was not possible to obtain data of long-term outcomes since the communication with the patient was lost. The case described below demonstrates the need to perform these surgical interventions on an emergency basis and improve knowledge in the field of hand surgery.

Revision surgery after total wrist arthroplasty

Wrist arthroplasty is still an exceptional indication in the field of hand surgery. In recent years, it has become increasingly accepted as an alternative to wrist arthrodesis as the ultima ratio for panarthrosis or similar destruction of the wrist. In particular, the patient's desire for functional integrity also plays an important role. While there were often complications with earlier prosthesis designs of the older generations and only ashort survival rate could be achieved, this has improved, if the indication of the so-called fourth generation prostheses is done properly. Survival rates of over 10years are no longer uncommon, even without revision operations. Currently, the indication for hemiarthroplasty has been increasing, particularly in the case of post-traumatic destruction. Those who are seriously interested in endoprosthesis should also be able to treat the associated complications. The present article is intended to provide an overview of common or potential complications in the context of wrist arthroplasty and to demonstrate possible solutions by presenting case studies. The basics of primary implantation are, therefore, not discussed. Reference is made to further literature.