Clinical Study on Percutaneous Intramedullary Bioresorbable Pin Fixation for Fourth and Fifth Metacarpal Bone Fracture |
Sang Hwan Lee, Sang Hun Kim, Eun Soo Park, Seung Min Nam, Ho Seong Shin |
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. 2Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea. peunsoo@schmc.ac.kr |
Received: 19 December 2016 • Revised: 30 January 2017 • Accepted: 10 February 2017 |
Abstract |
Purpose Metacarpal fracture of a ring and little finger occurs frequently. Percutaneous intramedullary fixation is a simple and effective method with a low incidence of complications. To date, Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation has been widely used, but this has problems such as pin infection. Moreover it is difficult to start early active motion exercise. So, we replaced the K-wire with a bioresorbable implant and evaluated the results.
Methods This study was conducted from 2014 to 2016 and involved 10 consecutive patients with 10 metacarpal neck fractures. All cases underwent percutaneous intramedullary fixation using the ActivaPin (Bioretec Ltd.) within 7 days after injury, and the average follow-up period was 13 months. At the final follow-up, all cases were assessed in terms of total active motion (TAM), bony union and angular deformity based on plain radiographs.
Results The patients started active motion exercise within 1 week and regained a full range of motion after average 4 weeks. The TAM results were excellent at 250° to 270° in all cases. Regarding radiographic findings, fractures united in all cases and there were no malunion and knuckle deformity.
Conclusion Replacement of a K-wire with a bioresorbable pin prevented soft tissue damage and dorsal scarring. And our percutaneous intramedullary bioresorbable pin fixation technique resulted in early recovery of range of motion and correction of deformity. The patients regained range of motion and returned to daily life early. |
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