37.2.1 For Operative Fixation

Indications for closed reduction and pinning include instability of reduction, involvement of > 25% of the articular surface, > 1 mm of articular step-off, or rotation. Digit malposition should be determined clinically by comparing to the other hand, looking for “scissoring” of fingers, and observing the flexion cascade (all should converge toward the scaphoid tubercle). Fractures that are more proximal may translate to increased tip rotation versus more distal metacarpal injuries.

37.2.2 For Pinning over Internal Fixation

Closed reduction and pinning has specific advantages over open approaches. It may decrease postoperative swelling and stiffness that follows open reduction. In many scenarios, plate and screw fixation may require extensive dissection and disruption of soft tissue attachments, even after difficult reduction requiring open treatment. In these cases, it is usually preferable to employ wire fixation. A comminuted intra-articular fracture may be managed with a closed pinning approach to take advantage of ligamentotaxis. Similarly, extra-articular commin-uted fractures may reduce easier when the soft tissue envelope is preserved. Kirschner wires (K-wires) may also be preferable in comminuted fractures, given the potential lower risk of fragment devitalization due to periosteal stripping.

37.2.3 Contraindications (Indications for Plating)

K-wires may delay joint mobilization as they often require splinting for multiple weeks. Given this, they may be less desirable in those patients at risk for arthrosis presenting with simple fractures. True transverse fractures of the metacarpal shaft may be better stabilized using internal fixation.

37.3.1 Diagnostic Studies

Posterior-anterior, lateral, and oblique plain film radiographs should be obtained. Advanced imaging techniques are rarely employed for isolated metacarpal fractures

37.3.2 Equipment and Hardware

0.045-inch K-wires are generally adequate for metacarpal fractures in adults. In larger patients 0.062-inch wires may be preferred; in children, 0.035 inch may be adequate.

A tourniquet is not overtly useful in closed reduction, but should be placed preoperatively, in case conversion to an open approach is needed. A mini C-arm is preferable over a full size C-arm fluoroscope to decrease radiation exposure.

37.3.3 Anesthesia

Sedation with a local or brachial plexus block is generally adequate for hand fracture pinning. In pediatric patients or other healthy but uncooperative patients, general anesthetic may provide greater ease of reduction and fixation.

37.3.4 Assistants

Because counter-traction may be necessary to obtain and hold reduction while positioning the C-arm or exchanging instruments for fixation, the surgeon should have a dedicated assistant who can focus on positioning, in addition to a scrub tech or nurse.

37.4.1 Bennett Fracture Dislocation

Bennet fractures are intra-articular fractures of the first metacarpal head. The abductor pollicis longus exerts a strong pull on the distal fracture fragment, subluxing the first metacarpal proximally and radially.

Related posts:

32 Middle/Proximal Phalanx (Pinning) 34 Fixation of Uni and Bicondylar Phalangeal Fractures 35 Bony Mallet Fixation 36 Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Fracture-Dislocation 39 Limited-Open Retrograde Intramedullary Headless Screw Fixation of Metacarpal Fractures 38 Metacarpal Fracture Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF)

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