Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comparative Study
. 2011 Jul;128(1):199-207.
doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e318217435a.

Comparison of trapeziectomy and trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition: a systematic literature review

Yu Kit Li  1 , Colin White, Teegan A Ignacy, Achilleas Thoma
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparison of trapeziectomy and trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition: a systematic literature review

Yu Kit Li et al. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2011 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition is currently the most popular technique for operative treatment of trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Based on the evidence, however, it is uncertain whether the addition of ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition to trapeziectomy confers any advantage. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature and determine which procedure, trapeziectomy or trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, offers the best results to patients.

Methods: A literature search was undertaken of the following electronic databases: Cochrane, AMED, EMBASE, HaPI, HealthSTAR, MEDLINE, TRIP, and Proceedings First (2002 to 2009). Studies were selected by two independent assessors if (1) the study population included patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis and (2) the study was a randomized controlled trial or systematic review comparing the two procedures. Objective (i.e., range of motion, grip strength, pinch strength, health cost, and postoperative complications) and subjective (i.e., pain relief, hand function, overall satisfaction, and quality of life) outcomes were extracted. Statistical pooling and power analyses were performed with available data.

Results: Two systematic reviews and four randomized controlled trials were identified and included. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative grip strength (p = 0.77); tip pinch strength (p = 0.72); key pinch strength (p = 0.90); pain visual analogue scale score (p = 0.34); Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (p = 0.75); and number of adverse events (p = 0.13). No studies reported health costs or quality of life.

Conclusion: Neither procedure produced greater benefit in terms of outcomes investigated.

Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, II.(Figure is included in full-text article.).

PubMed Disclaimer

Comment in

References

    1. Batra S, Kanvinde R. Osteoarthritis of the thumb trapeziometacarpal joint. Curr Orthop. 2007;21:135–144.
    1. Armstrong AL, Hunter JB, Davis TR. The prevalence of degenerative arthritis of the base of the thumb in post-menopausal women. J Hand Surg Br. 1994;19:340–341.
    1. Gervis WH. Excision of the trapezium for osteoarthritis of the trapezio-metacarpal joint. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1949;31:537–539.
    1. Wajon A, Carr E, Edmunds I, Ada L. Surgery for thumb (trapeziometacarpal joint) osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;(4):CD004631.
    1. Martou G, Veltri K, Thoma A. Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb: A systematic review. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004;114:421–432.