title: [Callus distraction of the first metacarpal bone for thumb reconstruction after traumatic amputation].
abstract: From 1990 to 1997, callus distraction of the first metacarpal bone was performed on 34 patients with a traumatic amputation of the thumb, if replantation was not possible. After a period of 7 +/- 11 months (range, 1-48), a corticotomy and continuous distraction with an external fixator was carried out. Of the patients, 31 (91%) were reviewed after treatment. The follow-up period range was 41 +/- 32 months. With this method, the average lengthening of the thumb was 78% in comparison to the uninjured side. Complications were rupture of the callus in one case, four patients suffered a superficial wound infection, and seven patients showed pin tract infection without osteitis. At follow-up examination, 20 patients (64.5%) showed excellent, 9 (29%) good and 2 patients (6.5%) unsatisfying results.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Unfall- und Handchirurgie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joist
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neuber
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frebel
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Joosten
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013933:Thumb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery