Costochondral autograft as a salvage procedure after failed trapeziectomy in trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
Osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb is a common problem, especially in women. Among the many surgical procedures aimed at restoring the function of the trapeziometacarpal joint, total trapeziectomy has been shown to provide good long-term results in most patients. But in some patients continued pain may lead the surgeon to consider a revision procedure. We report the use of costochondral autograft as an interposition material in revision of trapeziectomy in trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis and to study its usefulness.


METHODS
The study design was retrospective. All of the patients had a costochondral autograft as a revision procedure after a failed trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction. Patients were clinically assessed before and after surgery. The follow-up period was 24 months. Results were assessed as follows: good, complete relief of pain; fair, persistent mild pain and stiffness; poor, no relief of pain or any improvement with revision surgery.


RESULTS
Four patients were included; there were 2 good results, 2 fair results, and no poor result. Pain relief was obtained in all patients. Thumb opposition showed a slight improvement in 1 patient and no change in the other 3 patients. Pinch strength showed no change. One case of iatrogenic injury of the sensory branch of the radial nerve was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Costochondral autograft as a revision procedure after failed trapeziectomy is a reliable procedure. These preliminary outcomes showed that the result did not compare favorably with soft-tissue interposition. Nevertheless, in case of an iterative procedure, the lack of available soft-tissue material to interpose may lead the surgeon to consider a costochondral autograft. This procedure should be considered a salvage procedure.
Glard
Yann
Y
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hôpital de la Conception, Marseille, France. yann.glard@laposte.net <yann.glard@laposte.net>
Gay
André
A
Valenti
David
D
Berwald
Christian
C
Guinard
Didier
D
Legré
Régis
R
D050824:Carpal Joints / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D052581:Pinch Strength / Q000502:physiology; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012272:Ribs / Q000637:transplantation*; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D013933:Thumb / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D051222:Trapezium Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D051223:Trapezoid Bone / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D017211:Treatment Failure