title: Self-tapping versus standard tapped titanium screw fixation in the upper extremity.
abstract: Most screws used in fracture fixation necessitate a separate step for tapping of the screw hole. Titanium screw systems have been developed in which the screws can be inserted directly after a drill hole is made. These self-tapping screws thereby eliminate an operative step. A retrospective study was conducted that evaluated all wrist and hand procedures performed between January 1992 and December 1994 by 1 surgeon using screw fixation. The results of 39 cases treated with standard tapped titanium screws were compared with 28 cases treated with self-tapping titanium screws. Nearly identical union and complication rates were obtained in each group. Comparable results can be obtained with self-tapping screw fixation, which limits the number of instruments needed, eliminates an operative step, and thereby may diminish operative risk and shorten operative time.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Surgery Service, Ireland Army Hospital, Ft Knox, KY, USA.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bickley
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Hanel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects; D001133:Bones of Upper Extremity / Q000601:surgery*; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000601:surgery; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014025:Titanium; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium