Operative Treatment of Metacarpal Shaft Fracture>: Comparision of Low-Profile Miniplating System and Kirschner Wire Fixation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare Kirschner wire fixation and low profile miniplating system in metacarpal shaft fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients, available at least 1 year, who received the operative treatment after being diagnosed as metacarpal shaft fracture from 1997 May to 2003 May were the subjects with the exclusion of thumb fracture and intraarticular metacarpal bone fracture and also cases involving Kirschner wire fixation on severe laceration or open fracture. On the last follow up total action motion (TAM) and plain radiographes was checked. RESULTS: In 7 cases (38.9%) where closed reduction and Kirschner wire fixation were carried out, 8 cases (61.5%) where open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation were carried out and 24 cases (88.9%) where open reduction using miniplate and screw showed either excellent or good results on TAM. 5 cases of dorsal angulation occured in closed reduction and Kirschner wire fixation group and 4 cases of dorsal angulation in open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation group however no cases of dorsal angulation occured in open reduction and miniplate and screw fixation group, and in all cases no rotational deformity, complications through ulnar or radial angulation occured. Internal fixation was carried out on 2 cases of nonunion which had closed reduction and Kirschner wire fixation carried out, while the rest all showed bony union. CONCLUSION: Selective use of low profile miniplate and screw fixation in the metacarpal shaft fracture is more effective than in cases of comminuted fracture which can not be achieved firm fixation by Kirschner wire fixation. Low profile miniplate and screw fixation can get more precise anatomical reduction and firm fixation so it allow early return to daily living activity and show low complication rate.