Abstract

PURPOSE
To compare clinical and radiographic outcomes of between two and three Kirschner wire(K-wire) intramedullary fixation for fractures in the neck of the metacarpal bone.
METHODS
A single institutional retrospective review identified 28 cases of metacarpal fractures between March 2010 and August 2014. Each of the cases met the inclusion criteria for closed, extra-articular fractures of the neck of the metacarpal bone. The patient groups were divided by the number of K-wire. Outcomes were compared for range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint, radiographic parameters, and period until union.
RESULTS
The fractures were treated with either 2 Kirschner wire fixation (n=10) or 3 Kirschner wire fixation (n=18). The active range of motion of metacarpophalangeal joint and radiographic result showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The mean union period was 5.9 weeks. However, four cases suffered distal head perforation in 2 K-wire fixation group and one case in 3 K-wire fixation group.
CONCLUSION
Multiple retrograde intramedullary Kirschner wire fixation is a good treatment of choice for fractures in the neck of the metacarpal bone. To prevent metacarpal head perforation, it is preferred to use three K-wires than two K-wires.

• Keywords: Metacarpal boneNeckFracture