• Soo Min Cha, Jong Woo Kang, Hyun Dae Shin, Seung Hoo Lee, and Cheol Won Lee.
• Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Regional Rheumatoid and Degenerative Arthritis Center, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, 266 Munwha-ro, Jung-Gu, Daejeon, South Korea.
• Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2021 Oct 1; 141 (10): 1815-1823.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes of treatment of comminuted open fractures of the metacarpal bone (MCB) with associated injuries to soft tissues, tendons, and neurovascular structures using antegrade intramedullary nailing (AIN) at least 2 years postoperatively.MethodsBetween January 2008 and December 2017, a total of 27 patients who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included in this study. The inclusion criterion was open and comminuted fracture (with/without segmental bone defects). We evaluated simple radiograph and computed tomography (CT) findings and clinical conditions (visual analog scale [VAS] pain score and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [DASH] score), including active range of motion (ROM) at metacarpophalangeal joint (MP) and grip strength at final follow-up.ResultsThe mean preoperative angulation was 29.63° ± 7.59° and the mean shortening was 9.30 ± 2.38 mm. Union was achieved at mean 12.3 weeks postoperatively, without any complications due to operative treatment. The dorsal angulation measured on the CT scans, shortening on simple radiographs was significantly improved (10.26 °± 3.19°, 0.52 ± 1.05 mm, respectively). The final VAS and DASH scores were 0.41 ± 0.64 and 3.6 ± 2.47, respectively, indicating satisfactory outcomes. The final ROM was 85.0° ± 3.67°. The mean final grip strength was 89.56 ± 5.69% relative to the normal side. A mean extension lag at the MP joint of 12° was noted in three patients; however, it was resolved by additional tenolysis.ConclusionsAIN is a simple method for fixation of open comminuted metacarpal fractures accompanied by soft tissue injury. The simplicity of the method is beneficial for repairing associated injured structures and healing soft tissue. Minimized additional damage around the MCB during surgery and good stability resulted in satisfactory bony union with minimal angulation, shortening, and rotation.Level Of EvidenceLevel IV, Retrospective case series.© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

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