Treatment of Rolando Fractures by Open Reduction and Internal Fixation using Mini T-Plate and Screws.

INTRODUCTION: Rolando fractures being intra-articular fractures of the most mobile joint of the thumb, assume significance because any residual incongruity of the articular surface may result in loss of motion as well as secondary osteoarthritis and hence serious disability. This fracture continues to pose difficulties to the treating surgeons and although several treatment options have been described for these fractures, there are no definite guidelines. METHODS: The present study describes the results of open reduction and internal fixation of nine Rolando fractures with large and single fragments, using mini T-plate and screws. RESULTS: At 3-year follow-up all the fractures had united, functional results were excellent or good in most cases, and all the patients had returned to previous activities. Significant complications such as deep infection and loss of reduction were not encountered in any patient. CONCLUSION: Open reduction and internal fixation with mini T-plates in properly selected cases of Rolando fracture with large and single palmar and dorsal articular fragments offers several advantages such as allowing direct visualization of the joint, removal of interposed soft tissues, and exact anatomical restoration of the articular surface. The fixation in most cases is rigid enough to allow early mobilization without loss of reduction. Thus, complications such as stiffness as well as future arthrosis may be minimized. However, the technique is demanding and needs high degree of precision. The possibility of implant removal should be discussed beforehand with the patient.

Unstable metacarpal and phalangeal fractures: treatment by internal fixation using AO mini-fragment plates and screws.

BACKGROUND: Accurate open reduction and internal fixation for metacarpal and phalangeal fractures of the hand is required in less than 5% of the patients; otherwise, closed treatment techniques offer satisfactory results in most of these cases as these fractures are stable either before or after closed reduction. AO mini-fragment screws and plates, when used in properly selected cases, can provide rigid fixation, allowing early mobilization of joints and hence good functional results while avoiding problems associated with protruding K-wires and immobilization. The advantages of such internal fixation urged us to undertake such a study in our state where such hand injuries are commonly seen. METHODS: Forty patients with 42 unstable metacarpal and phalangeal fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using AO mini-fragment screws and plates over a period of three years in a prospective manner. RESULTS: The overall results were good in 78.5% of cases, fair in 19% of cases and poor in 2.5% of cases, as judged according to the criteria of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. CONCLUSION: This technique is a reasonable option for treating unstable metacarpal and phalangeal fractures as it provides a highly rigid fixation, which is sufficient to allow early mobilization of the adjacent joints, thus helping to achieve good functional results.

Open complete dislocation of trapezium with a vertically split fracture: a case report.

Open complete dislocation of the trapezium is an extraordinarily rare injury with only a few cases reported so far in literature. The association of a vertically split fracture makes this injury even rare and hence worth reporting. A 14 year old Kashmiri boy presented to us with a history of massive trauma to the non dominant left hand sustained as a result of a blow from a heavy hammer. The thenar area was burst out and the trapezium was vertically split apart into two halves which were dislocated from the articular surfaces of the scaphoid as well as the first metacarpal. The mechanism of injury as in other such reported cases was a massive direct force localized over the carpal bone which causes its enucleation and fracture. Although some authors have recommended excision of the dislocated trapezium, open reduction of the fracture dislocation and fixation with K wires was carried out under General anesthesia. At the end of one year although there was some functional deficit in the affected thumb, especially in opposition, the patient was quite satisfied with the outcome as this was the non dominant hand.