Osteosynthesis of mallet finger using plate and screws: evaluation of 25 patients / Osteossíntese do dedo em martelo com placa e parafuso: avaliação de 25 pacientes

To evaluate the results from surgical treatment of patients with mallet finger injury using a hook plate and screw. METHODS: Twenty-five patients (19 males and six females) between the ages of 20 and 35 years were analyzed between May 2008 and December 2012. They were evaluated in accordance with Crawford's criteria and the mean follow-up was 18 months. RESULTS: The results from 10 patients (40%) were excellent and from 15 (60%), good. Twenty-one patients (84%) reported no pain, 18 months after the operation. There was no limitation to range of motion in 14 cases (56%), limitation of extension in seven (28%) and limitation of flexion in four (16%). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment by means of open reduction and internal fixation using a hook plate and screw proved to be an excellent option for treating mallet finger fractures and was considered to be a safe and effective method.

Avaliar os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico de pacientes com lesão de dedo em martelo com o uso de placa-gancho e parafuso. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 25 pacientes entre 20 e 35 anos, 19 do sexo masculino e seis do feminino, de maio de 2008 a dezembro de 2012. Os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação de acordo com os critérios de Crawford e o acompanhamento médio foi de 18 meses. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos foram excelentes em 10 pacientes (40%) e bons em 15 (60%); 21 pacientes (84%) não referiram dor no 18° mês de pós-operatório. Foi verificada ausência de limitação da amplitude de movimento em 14 casos (56%), limitação da extensão em sete (28%) e limitação da flexão em quatro (16%). CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento cirúrgico com redução aberta e fixação interna com placa-gancho e parafuso demonstrou ser uma ótima opção de tratamento nas fraturas em martelo e é considerado um método seguro e eficaz.

Arthrodesis of Distal Interphalangeal Joints in the Hand with Interosseous Wiring and Intramedullary K-wire Fixation

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of intramedullary K-wire fixation and interosseous wiring in the arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint with description of surgical procedure. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 9 cases (7 women and 2 men) of DIP joint arthrodesis. The average age of patients was 44.2 years (range, 21 to 71 years) and the mean follow-up period was 19.6 months. Joint union was evaluated on the follow-up radiographs together with postoperative complications. RESULTS: All cases achieved radiologic union of the arthrodesis site. There was no surgical complication except for one case of skin irritation by the interosseous wire knot which was removed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Intramedullary K-wire fixation and interosseous wiring could be an alternative procedure of arthrodesis in the DIP joint.

"Delta(Delta) wire Technique" for Bony Mallet Finger: Surgical Technique / 대한정형외과연구학회지

Bony mallet finger is treated by from conservative management to various operative options. A lot of internal fixations except hook plate lead to cartilage damage and limitation of motion of distal interphalangeal joint. Thus we introduce Delta(Delta)-wire technique which can permit early joint motion and give strong compression force on the fracture fragment continuously.

A Comparative Study of Range of Motion With or Without Distal Interphalangeal Joint Fixation in Replantation of the Amputated Fingertips

PURPOSE: In the process of replantation of the amputated fingertips, the primary concern was given to survival of the amputees, while the functional aspect of digits after the surgery has been easily neglected. Although an internal fixation with a K-wire is often a part of replantation of the amputated fingertips, little consideration had been given to the study of relationship between distal interphalangeal joint fixation and post operative range of motion. A comparative study in relation to post operative range of motion was done on two different groups, one group with K-wire insertion and the other group without a K-wire insertion at the distal interphalangeal joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done on the cases of a single digit amputation conducted at our institute (the age in the range of 10 to 60) in about four-year of time span from March of 2005 to March of 2009. The cases with a thumb replantation, osteomyelitis or articular surface injury have been excluded from this study. The cases of both head and shaft fracture, except the insertion site of tendon, of distal phalanx of internal fixation with a single K-wire were reviewed for this study. A group of 24 cases without distal interphalangeal joint fixation in comparison to a group of 22 cases with distal interphalangeal joint fixation was reviewed to assess the postoperative range of motion at distal interphalangeal joint on the 6th week after the surgery. And, on the 30th month after the surgery, a group of 10 cases without distal interphalangeal joint fixation in comparison to a group of 10 cases with joint fixation was reviewed. A K-wire was removed in about 5 weeks after the fracture was reunited under the radiographic image, immediately followed by a physical therapy. RESULT: The active range of motion for a group without interphalangeal joint fixation was measured 49.0degrees on average, while 28.6degrees was measured for a group with interphalengeal fixation on the 6th week after the surgery. On the 30th month after the surgery, the active range of motion was measured 52.0degrees and 55.0degrees on average for a group without and with interphalangeal fixation respectively. CONCLUSION: In the process of replantation of the amputated fingertips, short-term(on the 6th week) improvement of postoperative active motion of range can be expected in the cases without distal interphalangeal fixation in comparison to the cases of interphalangeal joint fixation with a K-wire. However, there seems to be no difference on motion of range in a long-term (on the 30th month) follow up period.

The Comparison of Survival Rate in the Proximal or Distal to the Distal Interphalangeal Joint through Clinical Evaluation of Hand Injuries: The Analysis of 230 Finger Replantations

To analyze and compare with survival rate of replantation according to each finger and distal interphalangeal joint, we reviewed 230 digital replantation of proximal or distal to the distal interphalangeal joint in 170 patients. From July 1996 to March 1998, 230 digits in 170 patients with complete or incomplete amputations in the proximal or distal to the distal interphalangeal joint were replanted using a microsurgical technique at Jung-ang Gil Medical Center, Gachon Medical School. We classified the finger amputations according to distal interphalangeal joint. As reference line, that is, proximal and distal to DIP joint though many classifications had been proposed. The overall survival rate was 71%, with the survival rates for proximal were 69%, 70%, 65%, 89%, 76%, in order from thumb to little finger and that for distal being 63%, 74%, 59%, 82%, 67%,respectively. The survival rates for proximal replantation were higher than in distal replantation of all digits except index finger, and that was higher in incomplete type injury(76%) than in complete(67%). But there was no statistically significant difference in survival rates for proximal or distal level. Although the technique of tinger replantation was difficult, it was worth attempting to try replantation in any level of amputation because of superiority in the aesthetic and functional result.