Objective To investigate the curative effects of open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wire for Mason type-II radial head or neck fracture in children. Methods From September 2007 to June 2009, 17 cases of Mason type-II radial head or neck fracture were treated, including 11 males and 6 femals with an average age of 8.5 years (4-11 years).The locations were left side in 5 cases and right side in 12 cases. All fractures were caused by fall ing and classified as Mason type- II fracture. Two cases compl icated by radial nerve deep branch injury. The time from injury to operation was 4 hours to 5 days. All cases received open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wire. They were evaluated by anteroposterior and lateral radiographs and functionally by Broberg criteria. Results Wound healed primarily in all patients. According to Métaizeau criteria, the results were excellent in 15 patients and good in 2 patients, who achieved anatomical reduction. Seventeen patients were followed up for a mean time of 14 months (6-25 months). Function returned to normal in 2 cases compl icated by radial nerve deep branch injury after 6 months of operation. No compl ications of infection and nerve injury occurred. The X-ray films showed that bony heal ing was achieved in all cases; the heall ing time was 2.0-3.5 months (mean 3 months). According to Broberg criteria, the outcome was excellent in 11 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases, the excellent and good rate was 88.2%. Conclusion Open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wire has good effect, satisfactory functional recovery and less compl ication in the treatment of Mason type-II fracture of radial head or neck in children.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of thumb blocking technique through closed reduction of ulnar Kirschner wire threading in the treatment of Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humerus fractures in children. MethodsThe clinical data of 58 children with Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humerus fractures treated with closed reduction of ulnar Kirschner wire threading by thumb blocking technique between January 2020 and May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 31 males and 27 females with an average age of 6.4 years ranging from 2 to 14 years. The causes of injury were falling in 47 cases and sports injury in 11 cases. The time from injury to operation ranged from 24.4 to 70.6 hours, with an average of 49.6 hours. The twitch of ring and little fingers was observed during operation, the injury of ulnar nerve was observed after operation, and the healing time of fracture was recorded. At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated by Flynn elbow score, and the complications were observed. Results There was no twitch of the ring and little fingers when the Kirschner wire was inserted on the ulnar side during operation, and the ulnar nerve was not injured. All children were followed up 6-24 months, with an average of 12.9 months. One child had postoperative infection in the operation area, local skin redness and swelling, and purulent secretion exudation at the eye of the Kirschner wire, which was improved after intravenous infusion and regular dressing change in the outpatient department, and the Kirschner wire was removed after the initial healing of the fracture; 2 children had irritation at the end of the Kirchner wire, and recovered after oral antibiotics and dressing change in the outpatient department. There was no serious complication such as nonunion and malunion, and the fracture healing time ranged from 4 to 6 weeks, with an average of 4.2 weeks. At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated by Flynn elbow score, which was excellent in 52 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 96.6%. ConclusionThe treatment of Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humerus fractures in children by closed reduction and ulnar Kirschner wire fixation assisted with thumb blocking technique is safe and stable, and will not cause iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury.
Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of maintaining the reduction of unstable intertrochanteric fractures by Kirschner wire-fixation-cortical bone technique. Methods Forty patients with intertrochanteric fracture [AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) type 31-A2.2] admitted between May 2015 and January 2017 and requiring closed reduction and proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) were randomly divided into trial group (intraoperative Kirschner wire-fixation-cortical bone technique group, 20 cases) and control group (conventional treatment group, 20 cases). There was no significant difference in general data of gender, age, side, body mass index, cause of injury, time from injury to operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and intraoperative fluoroscopy times of the two groups were recorded; the reduction quality of fracture was observed according to the corresponding relationship between medial and anterior cortex (positive, neutral, and negative support) of intraoperative fluoroscopy proposed by ZHANG Shimin, and the stability of internal fixation and fracture healing were observed; Harris score was used to evaluate the recovery of hip function at 12 months after operation. Results In the trial group, 6 cases (30%) had 2 Kirschner wires implanted less than 4 times, 7 cases (35%) had 5-8 times, and 7 cases (35%) had 9 times or more. There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05), but the blood transfusion volume and intraoperative fluoroscopy times in the trial group were significantly less than those in the control group (P<0.05). Both groups were followed up 13-21 months, with an average of 17 months. There was no complications such as wound infection, deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities, refracture, and internal fixation-related complications. The quality of intraoperative reduction in the trial group was significantly better than that in the control group (Z=–2.794, P=0.024). The Harris score of the trial group was significantly better than that of the control group at 12 months after operation (t=2.98, P=0.01). Conclusion The use of Kirschner wire-fixation-cortical bone technique during intertrochanteric fracture closed reduction and PFNA internal fixation surgery can effectively maintain the reduction effect, reduce the number of fluoroscopy, improve the reduction quality, reduce allogeneic blood input, obtain better hip function, and do not increase the operation time and intraoperative blood loss.
From August 1986 to October 1990, 34 cases of fractures of patella were treated by the self-designed spring Kirschner wire, in which, 25 cases were followed up for an average of 1.5 years. The excellentgood rate reached 88%. In comparing with the traditional method of treatment, it gave more secure fixation for fracture, without the need or only a short time of immobilization needed, short treatment course and satisfactory return of function.
Objective To study the feasibility of a new method for the cross-leg position maintained by the Kirschner wire internal fixation after the cross-leg flap procedure. Methods From December 2004 to October 2005, 5 patients (4 males, 1 female; aged 14-52 years) were admitted to our department, who suffered from the tibia exposure or the internal fixation plate exposure after operation because of the tibia fracture by trauma for 1-8 weeks. The soft tissue defects ranged in area from 2.4 cm × 2.0 cm to 4.2 cm × 3.0 cm. The soft tissue around the wound in the leg was too poor in condition to perform an operation of the local flap transplantation, but the wound and the tibia had no obvious infection, so an operation of the cross-leg flap transplantation was performed to cover the wounds. The operation was performed with the routine crossleg flap method introduced in the medical literature. After operation the cross-leg position was maintained through a simple internal fixation with two Kirschner wire, which were inserted through the tibia of the cross region of both thelegs, and layers of dressings were placed as a cushion between the crossed legsin case of the crushing skin ulcer formation. The effect of fixation, blood circulation in the cutaneous flap, and the stress of the pedicle were observed postoperatively. After 3-4 weeks the pedicle of the cross-leg flap was cut off; the crossed legs were detached and the Kirschner wire were pulled out. Results All the flaps survived with a good blood circulation and a low pedicle stress. The patients had a relatively comfortable position because all the areas of the legs could be allowed to make some motions except the cross-area ofthe legs. Another advantage of this fixation method was its convenience for observing the blood circulation of the cutaneous flap and for changing the dressings. Neither infection in the holes of the Kirschner wire nor crushing skin ulcer formation in the area of the cross-leg could be observed. The follow-up for 3-18 months revealed that all the flaps were in good condition with no edema, contracture or skin pigmentation. Conclusion The method of usingthe Kirschner wire to maintain the cross-leg position after the crossleg flapprocedure has more advantages than the plaster fixation. This improved method is simpler, and can achieve a tighter fixation in the crossleg area to maintainthe cross-leg position, allowing a micro-motion in other parts of the legs. The patients can have a relatively comfortable posture, and have a more convenient dressing changes and observation on the blood circulation in the flaps.
Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Kirschner wire (K-wire) elastic fixation in the treatment of Doyle type Ⅰ and Ⅱ mallet finger. Methods Between July 2016 and March 2017, 18 patients with Doyle type Ⅰ and Ⅱ mallet finger were treated. There were 12 males and 6 males, with an average age of 45 years (range, 16-61 years). The index finger was involved in 2 cases, the middle finger in 3 cases, the ring finger in 10 cases, and the little finger in 3 cases. The interval from injury to operation ranged from 2 hours to 45 days (median, 5.5 hours). There were 8 patients of closed wound and 10 patients of open wound. Fourteen patients were simply extensor tendon rupture and 4 were extensor tendon rupture complicated with avulsion fracture. The distal interphalangeal joints (DIPJ) of injured fingers were elastically fixed with the K-wire at mild dorsal extend position. The K-wire was removed after 6 weeks, and the functional training started. Results The operation time was 34-53 minutes (mean, 38.9 minutes). Patients were followed up 3-8 months (mean, 5 months). All incisions healed primarily and no K-wire loosening or infection happened during the period of fixation. All mallet fingers were corrected. The range of motion (ROM) in terms of active flexion of injured DIPJ was (75.83±11.15)° at 6 weeks after operation, showing significant difference when compared with the normal DIPJ of contralateral finger [(85.28±6.06)°] (t=3.158, P=0.003). The ROM in terms of active flexion was (82.67±6.78)° in 15 patients who were followed up at 8 months after operation, showing no significant difference when compared with the normal DIPJ of contralateral finger [(86.00±5.73)°] (t=1.454, P=0.157). After the removal of K-wire at 6 weeks, visual analogue scale (VAS) score of active flexion and of passive flexion to maximum angle were 1.78±0.88 and 3.06±1.06, respectively. According to the total active motion criteria, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 10 cases, good in 5 cases, moderate in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 83.33%. The patients’ satisfaction were accessed by Likert scale, which were 3-5 (mean, 4.2). Conclusion K-wire elastic fixation in the treatment of Doyle typeⅠand Ⅱ mallet finger can repair the extensor effectively, correct the mallet finger deformity, and also be benefit for the flexion-extension function restoration of DIPJ.
ObjectiveTo analyze the effectiveness of external fixator combined with Kirschner wire (EF-KW) fixation in the treatment of oblique and comminuted distal humeral metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction (DHMDJ) fractures in children. Methods A clinical data of 22 children with DHMDJ fractures who met the selection criteria between April 2021 and December 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with EF-KW fixation. There were 14 boys and 8 girls with an average age of 6.8 years (range, 1.5-12.0 years). The time from injury to operation was 14-38 hours (mean, 24.2 hours). There were 18 cases of comminuted fractures and 4 cases of oblique fractures; and 1 case of median nerve injury and 1 case of radial nerve injury before operation. The occurrence of postoperative complications was recorded. At last follow-up, the function of the affected elbow joint was evaluated according to the Mayo elbow joint function score, and the Baumann’s angle (BA) and humero-capitellar angle (HCA) of the affected and healthy sides were recorded and compared. ResultsAll fractures were successfully treated with closed reduction and no complications such as nerve injury occurred. Superficial infection occurred in 4 cases after operation and healed after symptomatic treatment. The incisions of other patients healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 9-24 months (mean, 13.8 months). At last follow-up, according to the Mayo elbow joint function score, the elbow joint function was rated as excellent in 15 cases, good in 6 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 95.5%. The neurologic injury before operation recovered gradually. X-ray films reexamination showed that all fractures healed, and the healing time of fractures ranged from 29 to 61 days, with an average of 35.6 days. At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in BA and HCA between the healthy side and the affected side (P>0.05). During follow-up, 1 case developed mild cubitus varus, while the other patients had no serious complications. ConclusionEF-KW fixation for oblique and comminuted DHMDJ fractures in children has the advantages of less trauma, simple operation, easy reduction, good stability after reduction, low incidence of serious complications, and good elbow functional recovery.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment of scaphoid fracture nonunion with bone graft and Kirschner wire combined with screw fixation. MethodsThe clinical data of 14 patients with scaphoid fracture nonunion who met the selection criteria between February 2021 and September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 1 female with an average age of 32 years ranging from 17 to 54 years. The time from injury to operation ranged from 6 to 15 months, with an average of 9.6 months. According to the Slade-Geissler classification of scaphoid fracture nonunion, there were 3 cases of grade Ⅲ, 8 cases of grade Ⅳ, and 3 cases of grade Ⅴ. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 5.9±1.0, and the modified Mayo wrist score was 53.2±9.1. There were 2 cases of scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse, both of which were stage Ⅰ. All patients were treated with arthroscopic bone graft and Kirschner wire combined with screw fixation, and the fracture healing was observed by X-ray film monthly after operation, and the effectiveness was evaluated by VAS score and modified Mayo wrist score before and after operation. ResultsAll patients were followed up 6-14 months, with an average of 8.4 months. All fractures healed in 4-8 months, with an average of 6.3 months. The postoperative pain symptoms and wrist function of the patients significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and the VAS score at last follow-up was 2.4±1.3, and the modified Mayo wrist score was 87.1±6.7, which were significantly different from those before operation (t=12.851, P<0.001; t=−14.410, P<0.001). According to the modified Mayo wrist evaluation, 9 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and 2 cases were fair. Conclusion Arthroscopic bone graft and Kirschner wire combined with screw fixation is an effective surgical method for the treatment of scaphoid fracture nonunion.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of one-stage closed reduction and elastic compression fixation with double Kirschner wires for Wehbe-Schneider types ⅠB and ⅡB bony mallet fingers. Methods Between May 2017 and June 2020, 21 patients with Wehbe-Schneider type ⅠB and ⅡB bony mallet fingers were treated with one-stage closed reduction and elastic compression fixation using double Kirschner wires. There were 15 males and 6 females with an average age of 39.2 years (range, 19-62 years). The causes of injury were sports injury in 9 cases, puncture injury in 7 cases, and sprain in 5 cases. The time from injury to admission was 5-72 hours (mean, 21.0 hours). There were 2 cases of index finger injury, 8 cases of middle finger injury, 9 cases of ring finger injury, and 2 cases of little finger injury. The angle of active dorsiflexion loss of distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) was (40.04±4.02)°. According to the Wehbe-Schneider classification standard, there were 10 cases of typeⅠB and 11 cases of type ⅡB. The Kirschner wire was removed at 6 weeks after operation when X-ray film reexamination showed bony union of the avulsion fracture, and the functional exercise of the affected finger was started. Results The operation time was 35-55 minutes (mean, 43.9 minutes). The length of hospital stay was 2-5 days (mean, 3.4 days). No postoperative complications occurred. All patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 8.8 months). X-ray films reexamination showed that all avulsion fractures achieved bony union after 4-6 weeks (mean, 5.3 weeks). Kirschner wire was removed at 6 weeks after operation. After Kirschner removal, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score of pain during active flexion of the DIPJ was 1-3 (mean, 1.6); the VAS score of pain was 2-5 (mean, 3.1) when the DIPJ was passively flexed to the maximum range of motion. The angle of active dorsiflexion loss of affected finger was (2.14±2.54)°, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative angle (t=52.186, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the active flexion angle between the affected finger (79.52±6.31)° and the corresponding healthy finger (81.90±5.36)° (t=1.319, P=0.195). At 6 months after operation, according to Crawford functional evaluation criteria, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 11 cases, good in 9, and fair in 1, with an excellent and good rate of 95.24%. Conclusion For Wehbe-Schneider typesⅠB and ⅡB bony mallet fingers, one-stage closed reduction and elastic compression fixation with double Kirschner wires can effectively correct the deformity and has the advantages of simple surgery, no incision, and no influence on the appearance of the affected finger.
Objective To analyze the effectiveness of three internal fixation methods, namely hollow screw combined with Kirschner wire tension band, hollow screw combined with anchor nail, and modified 1/3 tubular steel plate, in the treatment of avulsion fracture of tibial tubercle (AFTT) in adolescents. Methods Between January 2018 and September 2023, 19 adolescent AFTT patients who met the selection criteria were admitted. According to different internal fixation methods, patients were divided into group A (8 cases, hollow screw combined with Kirschner wire tension band), group B (6 cases, hollow screw combined with anchor nail), and group C (5 cases, modified 1/3 tubular steel plate). There was no significant difference in the baseline data of age, gender, side, cause of injury, Ogden classification, and time from injury to operation among the three groups (P>0.05). The range of motion (ROM), weight-bearing time, normal activity time of knee joint, and the hospital for special surgery (HSS) score at last follow-up were recorded and compared among the three groups. Recorded whether the fracture was displaced, whether the fracture line was blurred at 1 month after operation, whether there was epiphyseal dysplasia, and whether there was incision infection and other complications. Results There was no significant difference in hospital stay between the groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 10-24 months, with an average of 14.3 months; there was no significant difference between the groups (P>0.05). All the incisions healed well without soft tissue irritation or fracture nonunion, and no limb shortening deformity or epiphyseal dysplasia was found during follow-up. At 1 month after operation, the knee joint ROM and hospitalization expenses in group A were better than those in groups B and C, the fracture healing time, knee joint weight-bearing time, and normal activity time of knee joint were better than those in group C, and the hospitalization expenses in group C were better than those in group B, with significant differences (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the other indicators between the groups (P>0.05). In group A, the fracture line was blurred 1 month postoperatively, the fracture ends were in close contact, and there was no fracture displacement; in groups B and C, the fracture line was clear in 2 cases, and 1 case in group C had slight fracture displacement; except for 1 case in group B, there was no fracture split in the other two groups. There was no significant difference in the incidences of blur of fracture line, fracture displacement, and intraoperative bone split between the groups at 1 month after operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the HSS scores of knee joints in the three groups were excellent and good, and there was no significant difference between the groups (P>0.05).ConclusionHollow screw combined with Kirschner wire tension band technique is effective in treating adolescent AFTT, which has the advantages of stabilizing fracture, accelerating fracture healing and rehabilitation, early feasible knee joint functional exercise, and reducing hospitalization expenses.