title: External fixation for phalangeal and metacarpal fractures.
abstract: From 1987 to 1993 we treated 33 patients with 29 phalangeal and seven metacarpal fractures by external fixation using a mini-Hoffmann device. There were 27 open and 25 comminuted fractures. In 12 patients one or more tendons was involved. The mean follow-up was 4.4 years. Complications occurred in ten fractures; two required repositioning of the fixator. All the fractures healed. The functional results after metacarpal fractures were better than those after phalangeal fractures and fractures of the middle phalanx had better recovery than those of the proximal phalanx. Twenty-eight of the 33 patients were satisfied with their result. External fixation proved to be a suitable technique for stabilising unstable, open fractures with severe soft-tissue injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Drenth
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Klasen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation; D017102:Fracture Healing; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D008904:Miniaturization; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery