Comparison of effects of PDLLA stick and Kirschner wire for the treatment of metacarpal fractures

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of PDLLA sticks in treatment of metacarpal fractures. Methods Twenty-five cases (28 metacarpal fractures)were performed with. Thirty-one cases( 35 metacarpal fractures) were treated with internal fixation with Kirschner wire, Comparison of curative effects of two operations were performed. Results Twenty five cases were followed up for 4 to 12 months,in PDLLA sticks group,mean healing time were 4. 6 weeks. All 25 cases fractures healed. Two cases suffered delayed union. According to the TAFS Scoring Sys-tem:sixteen cases were excellent ,6 cases were fine,3 cases were bad. The rate of excellant and good was 88% ,In Kirschner's group, the mean healing time were 7. 8 weeks. Three cases were malunion,5 cases suffered delayed union, 1 case was nonunion, the other fractures healed normally. Mean healing time were 7.8 weeks, Twenty cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, 8 cases were bad. The rate of excellent and good was 74. 2% ,There was significant difference in rate of excellent and good between two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion PDLLA sticks for the treatment of metacarpal fractures was available, do not need to remove the second operation,its effect is better than Kirschner wire group. Key words: PDLLA sticks; Kirschner wire; Metacarpal fracture; Fracture fixation internal