Surgical treatment of the bony mallet thumb: a case series and literature review

Introduction The aim of this study was to provide a more precise statement on the outcome after surgical treatment of a bony mallet thumb and possibly give a treatment recommendation regarding the surgical fixation method. Patients and methods All patients (n = 16) who underwent a surgical treatment for an acute bony mallet thumb fracture between January 2006 and July 2019 were enrolled. The surgical method, complications, the range of motion, tip pinch, lateral key pinch, overall grip strength, visual analog score, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score, Mayo Wrist Score, Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation Score, Buck-Gramcko Score and radiologic parameters were evaluated. Further, a comprehensive literature search on PubMed was conducted covering a period from 1956 to 2021 to include all possible matching articles on the treatment of the bony mallet thumb (n = 21 articles). Results Surgical treatment was very inhomogenous including indirect and direct K-wire fixation, screw fixation, plate fixation and anchor fixation methods. The IP joint range of motion and thumb strength ranged from 66 to 94% in comparison to the contralateral side. An open reduction led to worse functional scores compared to a closed reduction. Treatment methods in the literature were also very inhomogenous with a very low patient count, often even pooling data of bony mallet thumb fractures with bony mallet finger fractures. The risk for infection was higher in K-wire fixation methods than in open reduction and internal fixation methods. Conclusion The evidence for the best treatment of a bony mallet thumb fracture is low. On one hand the functional outcome can be inferior using an open reduction approach, but on the other hand, K-wire fixation methods with a closed reduction approach showed a higher risk for infection. Future multi-center research must be conducted to find the best treatment procedure for the best outcome of the patient.

Glenohumeral joint dislocation is rare in children with proximal humeral fractures: a descriptive study and literature review

Background Glenohumeral dislocation combined with fracture of the proximal humerus is extremely rare in children, and this study aims to investigate its incidence in the pediatric population and review the treatment strategy for this condition. Methods Between Jan 2014 and Jan 2019, 280 patients with unilateral proximal humeral fractures were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging and follow-up notes were reviewed for patients with a predilection for glenohumeral joint dislocation. Six (2.14%) patients between the ages of 5 and 10 years were confirmed as glenohumeral joint dislocation and included in the study. All these patients underwent closed reduction and external fixation under general anesthesia. Results Out of 280 patients with proximal humeral fractures, only 6 patients, including 4 males and 2 females, were confirmed as glenohumeral joint dislocation. ROM was normal compared with the contralateral shoulder in every patient at the last follow-up. There was no case of radiological abnormality, including avascular necrosis or devascularization of the humeral head. Conclusions Glenohumeral dislocation is a rare entity associated with the proximal humerus fracture in children, with an overall incidence in our case series was 2.14%. Reduction and stabilization of such injury using an external fixator is a suitable choice for pediatric patients that failed closed reduction.

Fracture of pubic rami during hip fracture fixation: a rare case of traction table–related injury

We present a case of an elderly and comorbid patient who was scheduled to undergo a hip fracture fixation using an intramedullary nail. Unfortunately, this was delayed by 3 weeks as the patient was unfit to undergo this procedure. She was placed onto the traction table and intraoperatively sustained a superior and inferior pubic rami fracture while attempting reduction on the traction table. Closed-reduction techniques using traction tables and perineal posts are not without morbidity. Risk factors such as osteoporosis and delayed-fixation should be accounted for when managing this complex and often frail group of patients.

Application of a Custom-designed External Fixation Restorer for Pediatric Femoral Fractures

Background: Closed reduction of pediatric femoral shaft fractures is one of the most difficult types of partial fracture reductions. Open reduction increases the harm to children. Although smaller invasive open reduction is mostly used at present, it has an impact on the microenvironment around the fracture and results in increased intraoperative bleeding, an increased risk of postoperative infection and surgical scarring, which has a great psychological impact on children. Methods: Given the above challenges, we propose another intraoperative reduction method. The technique described involves closed reduction and internal fixation for pediatric femoral shaft fractures using a new type of intraoperative fixator. Result: This technique brings hope that the success rate of closed reduction for pediatric femoral shaft fractures can reach 100%. Conclution: The method is demonstrated in a patient.

Risk Analysis of Re-displacement After Conservative Treatment of Pediatric Unstable Fractures of Middle and Distal Forearm

Background: Fractures of the middle and distal diaphysis of the forearm are common in children. Conservative treatment is effective in this regard. Some studies have discussed the risk factors and predictive indicators of re-displacement; however, the objects of the study are all fixed with tubular plaster or double sugar splint. Objectives: This study was performed to determine the risk factors of re-displacement after closed reduction and double splint plaster fixation of unstable pediatric fractures of the middle and distal diaphysis of the forearm. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 57 patients undergoing closed reduction and plaster fixation after unstable diaphyseal fractures of the middle and distal forearm in Wuxi Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University within May 2014 to May 2020. A total of 35 male and 22 female subjects aged 6 - 9 years (average: 7.3 years) participated in this study. They were followed up for more than 6 weeks after fracture healing. According to whether experiencing a secondary displacement within 2 weeks after the fracture, the subjects were divided into two groups, namely displacement, and non-displacement. Gender, age, double fracture, reduction quality, and plaster fixation type were analyzed as relevant, effective factors. Results: All 57 patients were followed up, and all fractures reached clinical healing standards at the last follow-up. Moreover, 20 and 37 cases were in the shift and non-shift groups, respectively. No statistically significant difference was reported in gender (c2 = 0.168; P = 0.780), age (t = 1.003; P = 0.217), double fracture (c2 = 0.021; P = 1), and plaster fixation type (c2 = 0.416; P = 0.699) between the two groups. The reduction quality (c2 = 7.480; P = 0.025) showed a statistically significant difference. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that reduction quality was a risk factor for fracture relocation providing a predictive value. Conclusions: Good reduction quality can reduce the risk of fracture displacement.