Kaissar Yammine1, Mirela Erić2. 1. The Center for Evidence-Based Anatomy, Sport and Orthopedic Research, and The Foot & Hand Clinic, Beirut, Lebanon. 2. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia. mirela.eric@gmail.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Linburg-Comstock variation often connecting the flexor pollicis longus and flexor digitorum profundus of the index finger at a different level with significant discrepancy between clinical and cadaveric frequencies reported in the literature. Although this variation is quite prevalent, it is yet frequently unrecognized. The aim of this meta-analysis is to generate more accurate weighted frequency values of the Linburg-Comstock variation and to look for possible association with ethnicity, laterality, gender and side. METHODS: A systematic literature search identified 14 studies, including 4132 forearms/hands, which met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: While no significant difference was found for laterality, we found significantly higher Linburg-Comstock variation rate in females compared to males. Turkish population demonstrated a significantly higher crude frequency when compared to Europeans (22.2 vs. 15.2%). Hispanic population showed the highest crude frequency (34.5%), whereas the African ancestry showed the least one (8.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Linburg-Comstock variation could cause career-threatening disabilities and could complicate some hand injuries as well. This review invites future researchers to use a single nomenclature; the term "Linburg-Comstock variation" is to be used when no symptoms are present, and the term "Linburg-Comstock syndrome" in cases where the variation is symptomatic.
INTRODUCTION: Linburg-Comstock variation often connecting the flexor pollicis longus and flexor digitorum profundus of the index finger at a different level with significant discrepancy between clinical and cadaveric frequencies reported in the literature. Although this variation is quite prevalent, it is yet frequently unrecognized. The aim of this meta-analysis is to generate more accurate weighted frequency values of the Linburg-Comstock variation and to look for possible association with ethnicity, laterality, gender and side. METHODS: A systematic literature search identified 14 studies, including 4132 forearms/hands, which met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: While no significant difference was found for laterality, we found significantly higher Linburg-Comstock variation rate in females compared to males. Turkish population demonstrated a significantly higher crude frequency when compared to Europeans (22.2 vs. 15.2%). Hispanic population showed the highest crude frequency (34.5%), whereas the African ancestry showed the least one (8.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Linburg-Comstock variation could cause career-threatening disabilities and could complicate some hand injuries as well. This review invites future researchers to use a single nomenclature; the term "Linburg-Comstock variation" is to be used when no symptoms are present, and the term "Linburg-Comstock syndrome" in cases where the variation is symptomatic.
Authors: Leonardo Coêlho de Alencar Barreto; Carlos Henrique Fernandes; Luis Renato Nakachima; João Baptista Gomes Dos Santos; Marcela Fernandes; Flavio Faloppa Journal: Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo) Date: 2020-03-11