A Modified Pull-out Wire Technique for Acute Mallet Fracture of the Finger.

BACKGROUND: A variety of surgical techniques for treating mallet fracture finger has been reported with different outcomes and complications. However, the optimal procedure remains controversial. This study describes surgical outcomes of mallet fractures of the finger with distal phalanx treated by modified pull-out wire fixation with Kirschner wire (K-wire) stabilization of the DIP joint in hyperextension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 patients who had mallet fracture finger injuries (Doyle's classification type IVC) with DIP joint subluxation between January 2009 and January 2015 were included in this study. The mean age was 28 years (range 18-50 years), and the mean duration of followup was 8 months (range 6-12 months). Outcome assessments included the skin necrosis, wire tract infection, bony union, and extension lag. We measured the pinch strength test at 8 weeks and 12 weeks postoperatively and graded the clinical results using Crawford's criteria. RESULTS: All fractures united after surgery. There was no iatrogenic fracture fragmentation, marginal skin necrosis, wire tract infection, and nail deformity. The mean extension lag was 1.8° (range 0°-17°) through goniometer, 24 of 30 patients had 0° of extension lag. The pinch strength measured at 8 weeks and 12 weeks was 79% and improved to 91%, respectively, compared with uninjured opposite finger. According to Crawford's criteria, 24 patients were classified as excellent, 3 were good, and 3 were fair. No poor result in this study. CONCLUSION: Our modified pull-out wire fixation over a button and K-wire stabilization of DIP joint in hyperextension is a reliable surgical method for treating acute mallet fracture finger and DIP joint volar subluxation.

Safe corridors for K-wiring in phalangeal fractures.

BACKGROUND: Unstable phalangeal fractures are commonly treated with K-wire fixation. Operative fixation must be used judiciously and with the expectation that the ultimate outcome should be better than the outcome after nonoperative management. It is necessary to achieve a stable fracture fixation and early mobilization. In order to achieve this goal, one should closely understand the safe portals/corridors in hand for K-wire entry for fractures of the phalanges. Safe corridors were defined and tested using a pilot cadaveric and a clinical case study by assessing the outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our prospective case series, 50 patients with 64 phalangeal fractures were treated with closed reduction and K-wires were inserted through safe portals identified by a pilot cadaveric study. On table active finger movement test was done and the results were analyed using radiology, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score and total active motion (TAM). In our study, little finger (n = 28) was the most commonly involved digit. In fracture pattern, transverse (n = 20) and spiral (n = 20) types were common. Proximal phalanx (n = 38) was commonly involved and the common site being the base of the phalanx (n = 28). RESULTS: 47 (95%) patients had excellent TAM and the mean postoperative DASH score was 58.05. All patients achieved excellent and good scores proving the importance of the safe corridor concept. CONCLUSION: K-wiring through the safe corridor has proved to yield the best clinical results because of least tethering of soft tissues as evidenced by performing "on-table active finger movement test" at the time of surgery. We strongly recommend K-wiring through safe portals in all phalangeal fractures.

A syndrome of facial dysmorphism, cubital pterygium, short distal phalanges, swan neck deformity of fingers, and scoliosis.

We report on an adolescent girl with sparse scalp hair, wide columella extending below alae nasi, webbing at elbows, broad finger tips, short distal phalanx of fingers, swan neck deformity of fingers, scoliosis, tall vertebrae, short fibulae, short fourth metatarsal bone, abnormal distal humeri, and unilateral clubfoot at birth. The combination of these features represents a novel phenotype. We sequenced the protein-coding regions of the FLNA and FLNB genes and did not observe any pathogenic sequence variation. Chromosomal microarray revealed a de novo copy number variation of uncertain clinical significance on 7p22.3.

Clinical Significance of Cone-shaped Epiphysis and Brachymesophalangia of the Fifth Middle Phalanx in Korean Children with Normal Short Stature / 대한소아내분비학회지

PURPOSE:The cone-shaped epiphyses mid-5 (CSE-5) and brachymesophalagia-5 (BMP-5) are common osseous anomalies. Those are thought to be normal variants. We evaluated the frequency of CSE-5 and BMP-5 and the influence of them on adult height in Korean children with normal short stature. METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 322 normal short stature children. Lengths of the fourth (MP-4) and fifth middle phalanx (MP-5) and widths of MP-5 of all children were measured. Two indicies for BMP-5 were used. Index 1 was based upon the ratio of the width to the length of the MP-5. Index 2 was based upon the ratio of the lengths of MP-5 to MP-4. CSE-5 was assessed by visual inspection only. We assessed several clinical parameters as follows; advanced skeletal maturation, z-scores of height, target height (THz) and predicted adult height (PAHz) according to CSE-5 and/or BMP-5. Results:Of the 322 children, 23.6% had BMP-5 (male 19.5%, female 27.4%), 23.6% had CSE-5 (male 13.0%, female 33.3%). The children with CSE-5 and/or BMP-5 were more advanced skeletal maturation than normal fifth finger (0.07+/-1.09 yrs vs -0.23+/-1.34 yrs, P=0.049), lower PAHz (-1.13+/-1.09 vs -0.71+/-1.28, P=0.008), lower PAHz- THz (-0.53+/-1.07 vs -0.14+/-1.30, P=0.013). In male subjects, the PAHz had weak correlation with index 1 (r=-0.26, P=0.001) and index 2 (r=0.27, P=0.001). CONCLUSION:This study suggests that BMP-5 and CSE-5 in Korean children with short stature are one contributable factor for adult height.