Publication:

Outcome of internal fixation procedure: miniplate vs cross K wires for displaced metacarpal metaphyseal fracture

Background Metacarpal fractures are considered a frequent orthopedic injury seen commonly in emergency units. Objectibe of thestudy was to compare the outcome of internal fixation procedure of miniplate versus cross kirschner wires (k-wires) for displaced metacarpal metaphyseal fractures.

Methods In this experimental prospective study, 100 patients with metacarpal metaphyseal fracture were considered. internal fixation was done by miniplate in one group and cross k wires in other group. Outcomes in terms of radiological union were compared between both groups. The data was analyzed by using SPSS for windows (version 26.0).

Results Mean age of the patients was 38.70±13.61 years. Male to female ratio of the patients was 1.2:1. The radiological success was noted in 76 (76.0%) patients. Statistically insignificant difference was found between the study groups in terms of radiological success of the patients (p=0.6396). K wire fixation was recorded to have significantly shorter duration of operation time in comparison to miniplate fixation (p=0.0001).

Conclusions The internal fixation procedure of both miniplate and k wire are equally effective in terms of radiological success for management displaced metacarpal metaphysis fractures. As compared to miniplate fixation, K wire fixation was found to have significantly shorter duration of operation time.