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Clinical Trial
. 2024 Jul;144(7):3129-3136.
doi: 10.1007/s00402-024-05422-2. Epub 2024 Jul 4.

Percutaneous transverse pinning for metacarpal fractures: a clinical trial

Andrea Pintore  1 , Alberto Astone  2 , Gianluca Vecchio  1 , Giovanni Asparago  1 , Giampiero Calabrò  2 , Filippo Migliorini  3   4 , Nicola Maffulli  5   6   7
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Percutaneous transverse pinning for metacarpal fractures: a clinical trial

Andrea Pintore et al. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2024 Jul.

Abstract

Introduction: Metacarpal fractures account for 25%-50% of all hand fractures and may negatively impact hand function and ability to work. Percutaneous transverse pinning of non-articular metacarpal fractures allows mobilisation immediately after the procedure.

Methods: Between March 2017 and February 2022, 56 patients undergoing percutaneous transverse pinning for unstable metacarpal fractures were prospectively recruited. We investigated surgical outcomes in terms of Patient-rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) and pre-and post-operative radiographic evaluation. The Student t-test was used to compare the means of PRWHE values after surgery. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The mean age was 40.21 ± 17.9 years (range of 16 to 86 years). The average operating time was 27.96 min. The mean follow-up period was 14.3 ± 6.4 months (from 2 to 41 months). The mean PRWHE score was 6.5 ± 1.8. None of the patients had clinically observable rotational deformities, and the functional outcomes were satisfactory.

Conclusion: Percutaneous transverse pinning for non-articular metacarpal fractures restores excellent function, and imaging results are satisfactory. Further high-quality clinical trials are required to validate these results on a larger scale.

Level of evidence: II, prospective cohort study.

Keywords: Fracture; Metacarpal; Percutaneous; Pinning; Transverse.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Fourth metacarpal spiral fracture. a post-operative radiography; b and c 1-month post-operative radiography; d and e 3-month post-operative radiography
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Fourth metacarpal spiral fracture. a post-operative radiography; b and c 1-month post-operative radiography; d and e 3-month post-operative radiography
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Fifth metacarpal fracture. Clinical evaluation of MCP joint mobility after insertion of K-wires in extension and flexion
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Enrollment process
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