Embrochage percutané des fractures du col du cinquième métacarpien chez l’enfant et l’adolescent

Abstract

Fracture of the neck of the fifth metacarpal (boxer's fracture) represents 20–50% of all fractures of hand and is frequently observed in young male adult, involve the dominant hand and result usually from a direct blow. This fracture is less common in pediatric population bur can occur in adolescent. We present a retrospective study of nine fractures of the neck of the fifth metacarpal, treated by percutaneous pinning. All the patients were boy. The mean age was 13.4years (range: 11 to 15years). Surgery was performed in cases of unstable fractures with a mean palmar tilt of 49° (range: 38 to 55°). Percutaneous pinning consisted of intramedullary K-wire fixation in four patients, intrafocal pining in three patients and elastic stable centromedullary nailing in two patients. After a mean follow up of 34 months, clinical and radiological results according to the criteria of Frère are good or excellent.