title: Complications of operative treatment for mallet fractures of the distal phalanx.
abstract: Twenty-four of 59 (41%) surgically treated mallet fractures developed postoperative complications. The most common complication was marginal skin necrosis on the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx, but recurrent extension lag, permanent nail deformities, transient infections along the Kirschner wires and pull-out steel wires and osteomyelitis were also observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*