Treatment of Metacarpal Bone Fracture Using Biodegradable Plates and Screws.

Cho, Jeong Mok; Eun, Seok Chan; Baek, Rong Min

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Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 2011;38(4):458-464.
Published online July 1, 2011.

Treatment of Metacarpal Bone Fracture Using Biodegradable Plates and Screws.

Jeong Mok Cho, Seok Chan Eun, Rong Min Baek

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea. sceun@snubh.org

Abstract

PURPOSE
Metacarpal fractures are common hand injury that may require operative intervention to ensure adequate reduction and stabilization. Traditionally, titanium miniplate was used for rigid fixation of bone fractures. However, the use of permanent plate lends itself to multiple complications such as infection, exposure of the hardware, tendon adhesions, tendon rupture, prolonged pain, bony atrophy and osteoporosis (stress shielding), metal sensitization, and palpation under the skin. This study evaluated the usefulness and stability of biodegradable plates and screws for treatment of metacarpal bone fractures. METHODS: There was 17 patients who had surgery for metacarpal bone fracture from April 2007 to June 2010. All patients had open reduction and internal fixation. We used absorbable plates and screws (Inion CPS(R)) for internal fixation. Postoperative results were assessed with x-ray. Stability of plates and screws, healing process and its complications were observed by clinical and radiographic assessment.
RESULTS
All patients were successfully reduced of bone fracture, and fixations with absorbable plates and screws were stable. The mean follow up period was 7.1 months. 2 patients complained postoperative pain, but they were relieved with analgesics. All patients experienced transient stiffness, but they were relieved with active assistive range of motion after removal of splint. No patients suffered complications which could be occurred by using metallic plate.
CONCLUSION
There was no critical complications such as re-fracture or nonunion among patients. No patients suffered side effects related with metallic implants. Biodegradable implants can offer clinically stable and attractive alternative to metallic implants to stabilize metacarpal bone fractures in the hand.

Keywords: Metacarpal bones; Fracture fixation; Absorbable implants

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