Surgical Fixation of Fourth and Fifth Metacarpal Shaft Fractures with Flexible Intramedullary Absorbable Rods: Early Clinical Outcomes and Implications / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To avoid the irritation of tendons and soft tissues as well as hardware-related problems, we designed an intramedullary fixation with bioabsorbable rods for the treatment of the metacarpal shaft fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five patients with nine shaft fractures of the fourth and fifth metacarpi were treated with intramedullary absorbable implants and followed up with an average of 4.2 months postoperatively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At final follow-up, all patients achieved fracture union with no signs of inflammatory or subcutaneous effusion. There was no shortening, angulatory, or rotatory deformity. There was almost full active extension range of motion (ROM) of the metacarpophalangeal joints while the active flexion ROM of these joints was 80.7 ± 9.6°. Compared with the contralateral hand, the grip strength of the injured hand was 94.0 ± 9.6%. X-rays showed that the arch of the second to fifth metacarpal heads was smooth. There were no intramedullary lytic changes and soft tissue swellings.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The intramedullary absorbable implants are a safe, simple, and practical treatment for fourth and fifth metacarpal fractures with good early clinical outcomes and no significant complications.</p>

An epidemiological investigation of acute occupational hand injuries / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study composition, distribution and causes of acute occupational hand injuries in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From April 1st 2005 to September 30th 2005, all patients with acute hand injuries were investigated by questionnaire focusing on all related epidemiological elements.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two thousand six hundred fifty eight cases with acute hand injuries were about 17.3 % of patients with acute orthopedic injuries. Their mean age was (30.4 +/- 10.8) years old. The radio of males to females in cases with acute hand injuries was 57:1. The cutting and crushing injuries were the main causes of acute hand injuries. Most of cases with acute hand injuries were engaged in work related to machines. The acute hand injuries were mainly involved in index and middle figures of both hands, 94.9 % of acute hand injuries were opening, and 87.6% of acute hand injuries were involved in the deep tissues.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acute hand injuries are the common occupational severe injuries for young male workers. The acute hand injuries occur in patients engaged in work related to machines. The prevention of acute hand injuries should be emphasized.</p>