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Case Reports
. 2019 Feb 4;11(2):e4007.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.4007.

A Bridging: Distraction External Fixation for a Severely Comminuted Fracture of the Middle Phalanx. A Case Report

Ioannis Galanopoulos  1 , Georgios Vynichakis  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Bridging: Distraction External Fixation for a Severely Comminuted Fracture of the Middle Phalanx. A Case Report

Ioannis Galanopoulos et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Severely comminuted fractures of the middle phalanx of the digits are known to be demanding cases for hand surgeons. The restoration of the length and axis of the phalanx, such as the anatomic reduction of the articular surface in case of intra-articular association are basic principles that have to be followed. A simple and cheap device consisting of two Kirschner wires and a nylon suture can work as an external fixation system based on the principle of ligamentotaxis. As a result, the anatomic reduction of the fracture with minimal soft tissue damage and simple surgical equipment is feasible.

Keywords: bridging external fixation; comminuted; ligamentotaxis; middle phalanx fractures.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Crush injury of the middle phalanx with an open wound
Figure 2
Figure 2. Plain radiographs: severely comminuted, intra-articular fracture of the middle phalanx
Figure 3
Figure 3. Reduction of the fracture due to the ligamentotaxis principle
Figure 4
Figure 4. Final clinical picture
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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