title: Open accurate reduction for irreducible mallet fractures through a new pulp traction technique with primary tendon repair.
abstract: Sixteen patients with bony mallet fingers were treated by a new technique of open reduction through a T-shaped dorsal incision and oblique wire fixation via pulp traction with additional primary extensor repair. Surgical indications included fractures with intra-articular involvement over 1/3 of the articular surface, distal phalanx subluxation, and displacement greater than 3 mm irreducible by extension block pinning. The cases were analysed prospectively for a mean follow-up period of 12 months. The results were evaluated using Crawford's criteria. Eleven cases were evaluated as excellent, three cases as good, and two cases as fair. Complications included three cases with transient nail deformity, two cases with flexion limitation of 5° and 10°, and three cases with extension lag between 5°-10°. This new method of accurate reduction achieves good clinical outcomes, with comparatively less complications in mallet fractures irreducible to closed extension block reduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ho-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Su-Keon
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D014143:Traction / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult