Application of elastic external fixators in the surgical treatment of mallet fingers in children

Abstract

Objective To retrospectively review the application of elastic external fixators in the surgical treatment of mallet fingers in children. Methods From February 2003 to September 2008,31 fingers of the thirty patients were treated with surgery. Elastic external fixators was applied to the af-fected fingers,which were constructed with two 0. 8-1.0 mm Kirschner wires,and were used to keep the proximal interphalangeal joint in flexed position and the distal interphalangeal joint in extended po-sition. After fixation,corrective operations were performed to repair finger extensors and joints. Early active flexion exercise began at 4 weeks after surgery. The external fixtors were removed at the 6th week after surgery. Clinical results were scored using the total active movement (TAM) grading sys-tem. Results Thirty-one cases were followed up for 5 months to 4.5 years. The mallet fingers were successfully corrected. The appearance and function of the fingers were good. Their finger bones grew normally. In the 31 treated fingers,25 were excellent,and the other 6 were good according to the TAM system. the excellent and good rate was 100%. Conclusions Elastic external fixators,which is used to treat mallet fingers in children,is a simple,minimally invasive,reliable fixation and effective method. It may be applied to clinical extensively. Key words: External fixator; Mallet fingers; Tendon injury; Bone fractures Osteoepiphysis