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. 2016 Apr 26;51(3):268-73.
doi: 10.1016/j.rboe.2015.09.013. eCollection 2016 May-Jun.

Osteosynthesis of mallet finger using plate and screws: evaluation of 25 patients

Fábio Sano Imoto  1 , Thiago Araujo Leão  1 , Rogério Sano Imoto  1 , Eiffel Tsuyoshi Dobashi  1 , Carlos Eduardo Pereira de Mello  1 , Natan Madeira Arnoni  1
Affiliations

Osteosynthesis of mallet finger using plate and screws: evaluation of 25 patients

Fábio Sano Imoto et al. Rev Bras Ortop. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objectives: To evaluate the results from surgical treatment of patients with mallet finger injury using a hook plate and screw.

Methods: Twenty-five patients (19 males and six females) between the ages of 20 and 35 years were analyzed between May 2008 and December 2012. They were evaluated in accordance with Crawford's criteria and the mean follow-up was 18 months.

Results: The results from 10 patients (40%) were excellent and from 15 (60%), good. Twenty-one patients (84%) reported no pain, 18 months after the operation. There was no limitation to range of motion in 14 cases (56%), limitation of extension in seven (28%) and limitation of flexion in four (16%).

Conclusion: Surgical treatment by means of open reduction and internal fixation using a hook plate and screw proved to be an excellent option for treating mallet finger fractures and was considered to be a safe and effective method.

Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico de pacientes com lesão de dedo em martelo com o uso de placa-gancho e parafuso.

Métodos: Foram analisados 25 pacientes entre 20 e 35 anos, 19 do sexo masculino e seis do feminino, de maio de 2008 a dezembro de 2012. Os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação de acordo com os critérios de Crawford e o acompanhamento médio foi de 18 meses.

Resultados: Os resultados obtidos foram excelentes em 10 pacientes (40%) e bons em 15 (60%); 21 pacientes (84%) não referiram dor no 18° mês de pós-operatório. Foi verificada ausência de limitação da amplitude de movimento em 14 casos (56%), limitação da extensão em sete (28%) e limitação da flexão em quatro (16%).

Conclusão: O tratamento cirúrgico com redução aberta e fixação interna com placa-gancho e parafuso demonstrou ser uma ótima opção de tratamento nas fraturas em martelo e é considerado um método seguro e eficaz.

Keywords: Distal interphalangeal joint; Finger phalanges; Fractures bone; Mallet finger; Osteosynthesis.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of frequency of occurrence of injuries, considering the affected finger.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
X-ray in lateral view showing the fracture of the distal phalanx.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Pre-assembled plate for the treatment of mallet finger.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Postoperative X-ray in anteroposterior and lateral views showing the fracture healing process.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Distribution of patients in percentages, considering the range of extension or flexion of the DIP joint.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Functional limitation of the fifth finger in the late postoperative period.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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