Objective To study the effect of two different absorbable intramedullary nails in treatment of metacarpal and phalanx fractures.Methods From January 2002 to December 2002, open reduction and internal fixation were done with two different absorbable intramedullary nails in 60 cases of metacarpal and phalanx fractures( 52 cases of open fractures and 8 cases of closed fractures). The fracture locations were metacarpal in 24 cases, proximal phalanx in 22 casesand media phalanx in 14 cases. The emergency operation was performed in 47 cases, selective operation in 13 cases.Out of 60 patients, 24 were treated with intramedullary nails of poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA) (PDLLA group), 36 with intramedullary wire of PDLLA composed of chitosan(PDLLA+chitosan group). Results In the PDLLA group(n=24), the rejection occurred in 8 cases 3-4 weeks after operation. PDLLA nails were taken out in 6 of the 8 cases after 5-10 days of operation and bone healing was achieved 2 months after re-fixation by Kirschner wire; therejection subsided in the other 2 cases after 25 days of conservative treatment, and bone fracture healed after 14 weeks. No rejection was observed with primary healing in the other 16 cases of the PDLLA group. In PDLLA + chitosan group(n=36), the rejection occurred in 1 case 19 days after operation, but therejection subsided after 3 days of conservative treatment.No rejection was observed in the other 35 cases with primary healing. All patients were followed up 4-11 monthswith an average of 6 months. No rejection was observed and bone healing was achieved during the follow-up. The time of bone healing was 6-16 weeks(8 weeks onaverage). There was statistically significant difference in the curative resultbetween two groups(Plt;0.05). Conclusion Intramedullary nail of PDLLAwas verysuitable to fix fractures of metacarpal and phalanx. During the degradation of PDLLA, the acidic products can cause rejection. When PDLLA mixed with chitosan,PDLLA can not only strengthen the intensity but also neutralize the acidity. So the rejection can be decreased.PDLLA intramedullary nails composed of chitosan were better than PDLLA intramedullary nails in clinical treatment of metacarpal and phalanx fractures.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of mini external fixation device for comminuted open fractures of the metacarpal and phalange. Methods Between October 2009 and April 2011, 33 patients with comminuted open fractures of the metacarpal and phalange were treated with mini external fixation device. There were 25 males and 8 females, aged from 21 to 62 years with an average of 25.5 years. Of 33 cases, 7 were rated as Gustilo type II and 26 as Gustilo type IIIA; 20 cases were diagnosed as having simple metacarpal and phalangeal comminuted fractures and 13 cases as having combined interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joint fractures. Partial or complete rupture of tendon was observed in 18 cases. The time between injury and operation was 2-8 hours (mean, 3.7 hours). After one stage debridement and reduction, fracture was fixed with mini external fixation device. Results Primary healing of incision was obtained in 30 cases and no pin hole infection was found. Incision infection occurred in 3 cases and leaded to nonunion. Nonunion also occured in 2 cases of simple metacarpal and phalangeal fractures. The mean follow-up was 8 months (range, 6 months to 1 year). X-ray films showed fracture healing in 13 cases after 8 weeks (8 cases of simple metacarpal and phalangeal fractures and 5 cases of combined interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joint fractures), in 12 cases after 12 weeks (7 cases of simple metacarpal and phalangeal fractures and 5 cases of interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joint fractures), and in 3 cases of simple metacarpal and phalangeal fractures after 6 months. After removing the mini external fixation device and functional exercise, 3 cases of simple metacarpal and phalangeal comminuted fractures and 4 cases of combined interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joint fractures still had joint stiffness, but had no finger rotation and alignment deformity or chronic pain. According to the measurement of total active movement for 28 patients who obtained fracture healing, the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 12 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 4 cases, the excellent and good rate was 67.9%. Conclusion The mini external fixation device is a good technique for comminuted open fractures of metacarpal and phalange. In patients having comminuted open fractures with interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joint fracture, the results are fair or poor.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the modified intramedullary fixation with two Kirschner wires for extra-articular fracture of the proximal phalangeal base. MethodsBetween June 2012 and November 2015, 18 cases (18 fingers) of fresh extra-articular fracture of the proximal phalangeal base were treated, including 16 males and 2 females with an average age of 31 years (range, 21-57 years). The causes included strike injury in 10 cases, fall injury in 4 cases, mechanical injury in 1 case, twist injury in 1 case, crush injury in 1 case, and cutting injury in 1 case. The injured fingers were little finger in 16 cases, ring finger in 1 case, and index finger in 1 case. Of the 18 cases, 17 had closed fractures and 1 had open fracture. X-ray film showed transverse fracture in 14 cases and transverse-oblique fracture in 4 cases. The time between injury and operation was 3 hours to 4 days (mean, 2 days). After anatomical reduction, two Kirschner wires were used for intramedullary fixation. Functional exercises were done at 2 days after operation. The Kirschner wires were removed at 4 weeks after operation. ResultsAll the wounds healed by first intention. There were no deformation, loosening or breakage of Kirschner wires, and pin tract infection. Postoperative X-ray films showed anatomical reduction of fracture in all cases; no re-displacement happened, and clinical healing was obtained at 4 weeks; bony union was obtained at 8 weeks. All patients were followed up 6-12 months with an average of 8 months. There was no pain in the metacarpophalangeal joint; the range of motion was (88.1±2.3)° at 3 months after operation, showing no significant difference when compared with normal side [(88.8±2.6)°] (t=1.73, P=0.10). The finger flexion and extension were normal; according to the criteria of total active motion of finger, the results were excellent in all cases. ConclusionThe technique of modified intramedullary fixation with two Kirschner wires for extra-articular fractures of the proximal phalangeal base has the merits of convenient operation, little injury, reliable fixation, and excellent effectiveness. This technique is conducive to the recovery of hand function due to the early functional exercises.
Objective To approach a new procedure of microsurgery to repair thumb fingertip amputation with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graft. Methods From March 2005 to October 2007, 6 cases of amputated thumb fingertip (6 fingers) were treated, including 4 males and 2 females and aging 23-63 years. Six patients’ (3 crush injuries, 2 cut injuries and 1 other injury) amputated level was at nail root (2 cases), mid-nail (3 cases), and the distalone third of nai bed (1 case). The time from injury to surgery was 3-10 hours, they were treated with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graft. The flaps size ranged from 1.5 cm × 1.4 cm to 2.0 cm × 1.4 cm. Results All flaps survived. Wound healed in one-stage in 5 cases, and healed in second stage in 1 case because of swell ing. All skin grafting at donor site survived in one-stage. All patients were followed up for 6-8 months. The appearance of flaps were good, and the two-point discrimination was 5-6 mm. Bone graft were healed, the heal ing time was 4-5 weeks. All finger nails were smooth and flat without pain. Conclusion When there was no indication of replantation in thumb fingertip amputation, establ ishing the functional and esthetic construction can be retained with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graf