Objective To study the effect of two different absorbable intramedullary nails in treatment of metacarpal and phalanx fractures.Methods From January 2002 to December 2002, open reduction and internal fixation were done with two different absorbable intramedullary nails in 60 cases of metacarpal and phalanx fractures( 52 cases of open fractures and 8 cases of closed fractures). The fracture locations were metacarpal in 24 cases, proximal phalanx in 22 casesand media phalanx in 14 cases. The emergency operation was performed in 47 cases, selective operation in 13 cases.Out of 60 patients, 24 were treated with intramedullary nails of poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA) (PDLLA group), 36 with intramedullary wire of PDLLA composed of chitosan(PDLLA+chitosan group). Results In the PDLLA group(n=24), the rejection occurred in 8 cases 3-4 weeks after operation. PDLLA nails were taken out in 6 of the 8 cases after 5-10 days of operation and bone healing was achieved 2 months after re-fixation by Kirschner wire; therejection subsided in the other 2 cases after 25 days of conservative treatment, and bone fracture healed after 14 weeks. No rejection was observed with primary healing in the other 16 cases of the PDLLA group. In PDLLA + chitosan group(n=36), the rejection occurred in 1 case 19 days after operation, but therejection subsided after 3 days of conservative treatment.No rejection was observed in the other 35 cases with primary healing. All patients were followed up 4-11 monthswith an average of 6 months. No rejection was observed and bone healing was achieved during the follow-up. The time of bone healing was 6-16 weeks(8 weeks onaverage). There was statistically significant difference in the curative resultbetween two groups(Plt;0.05). Conclusion Intramedullary nail of PDLLAwas verysuitable to fix fractures of metacarpal and phalanx. During the degradation of PDLLA, the acidic products can cause rejection. When PDLLA mixed with chitosan,PDLLA can not only strengthen the intensity but also neutralize the acidity. So the rejection can be decreased.PDLLA intramedullary nails composed of chitosan were better than PDLLA intramedullary nails in clinical treatment of metacarpal and phalanx fractures.
Objective To review the methods of metacarpal and phalange lengthening and to point out the problems at present as well as to predict the trend of development in the field. Methods Domestic and abroad l iterature concerning the methods of metacarpal and phalange lengthening in recent years was reviewed extensively and thoroughly analyzed. Results At present, there are many methods to treat the short finger disabil ity, but the methods of metacarpal and phalange lengthening have an advantage, which include closed osteotomy lengthening, callus-lengthening, and modified Il izarovmethod. Each surgical method has its advantages and l imitations. However, the part of osteotomy, the length and speed, and the postoperative compl ications etc. have been disputed. Conclusion The modified Il izarov method has the advantages of simple operation, minimal invasion, and less compl ications, but the long-term results of each treatment method are unknown and need more further studies.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of double osteotomy and lengthening of proximal phalanx and metacarpal with Ilizarov technique in treatment of thumb defect. MethodsBetween February 2017 and June 2019, 6 patients with traumatic thumb defects were treated with double osteotomy and lengthening of proximal phalanx and metacarpal by Ilizarov technique. There were 5 males and 1 female. The age ranged from 28 to 57 years, with an average of 41.5 years. There were 3 cases on the left side and 3 cases on the right side. All patients were admitted to the hospital in emergency department after injury, and the stump of the thumb was trimmed and sutured. The osteotomy plane was the distal part of the proximal phalanx in 4 cases and the interphalangeal joint in 2 cases. The interval between injury and osteotomy was 20-245 days (median, 34.5 days). After minimally invasive osteotomy and placement of a semi-circular external fixator, the lengthening began on the 5th day. The proximal phalanx and metacarpal were lengthened by 0.5 mm every day, once every 12 hours. The thumb of the affected side was distracted to the middle of the distal phalanx of the healthy thumb, and the fixator was removed after the bone healed. ResultsThe distraction time was 14-23 days, with an average of 18.8 days. The osteotomies were healed with healing time of 91-147 days (mean, 120.2 days). The total distraction length of the proximal phalanx and metacarpal was 1.40-2.25 cm, with an average of 1.86 cm; healing index was 51.0-72.2 days/cm, with an average of 64.9 days/cm. All patients were followed up 5-12 months (mean, 8.2 months). At last follow-up, the two-point discrimination was 5.3-8.5 mm with an average of 6.98 mm. According to the evaluation standard of the upper limb part of the Chinese Medical Association, the score was 10-14, with an average of 12.5. Among them, 4 cases were excellent and 2 cases were good, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. All patients were satisfied with the function and appearance of thumb after operation. The Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick-DASH) score was 2.3-9.1, with an average of 6.1. ConclusionThe double osteotomy and lengthening of proximal phalanx and metacarpal with Ilizarov technique is an effective method for the treatment of thumb defects.
Objective To approach a new procedure of microsurgery to repair thumb fingertip amputation with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graft. Methods From March 2005 to October 2007, 6 cases of amputated thumb fingertip (6 fingers) were treated, including 4 males and 2 females and aging 23-63 years. Six patients’ (3 crush injuries, 2 cut injuries and 1 other injury) amputated level was at nail root (2 cases), mid-nail (3 cases), and the distalone third of nai bed (1 case). The time from injury to surgery was 3-10 hours, they were treated with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graft. The flaps size ranged from 1.5 cm × 1.4 cm to 2.0 cm × 1.4 cm. Results All flaps survived. Wound healed in one-stage in 5 cases, and healed in second stage in 1 case because of swell ing. All skin grafting at donor site survived in one-stage. All patients were followed up for 6-8 months. The appearance of flaps were good, and the two-point discrimination was 5-6 mm. Bone graft were healed, the heal ing time was 4-5 weeks. All finger nails were smooth and flat without pain. Conclusion When there was no indication of replantation in thumb fingertip amputation, establ ishing the functional and esthetic construction can be retained with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graf
Objective To compare the effectiveness between ultrasound-guided and C-arm-guided in closed reduction and pinning for the treatment of metacarpophalangeal fractures. Methods The clinical data of 30 patients with metacarpophalangeal fractures between October 2015 and November 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different treatments, the patients were divided into ultrasound group (using ultrasound-guided closed reduction and pinning, n=15) and C-arm group (using C-arm-guided closed reduction and pinning, n=15). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, causes of injury, injured finger, location of injury finger, fracture classification between 2 groups (P>0.05). The status and success rate of reduction were compared (excellent, good, and acceptable grades could be regarded as the successful reduction). The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, and fracture healing time were recorded. And the postoperative functional recovery was evaluated according to the total active movement (TAM) by the standard functional evaluation issued by Hand Surgery Association of Chinese Medical Association. Results The operation time of ultrasound group was longer than C-arm group, and the intraoperative fluoroscopy times was less than C-arm group, all showing significant differences (P<0.05). There was no signifi cant difference in the grade and the success rate of reduction between 2 groups (P>0.05). All the patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 10 months), without malunion, joint stiffness, tendon adhesions, and other complications. There was also no significant difference in the fracture healing time, the grade of TAM, and the excellent and good rate of TAM between 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The treatment of ultrasound-guided closed reduction and pinning for metacarpophalangeal fractures is effective, which is a feasible auxiliary method of closed reduction and fixation for fracture. And less fluoroscopy can reduce the radiation damage of operation.