The treatment of choice for first metacarpal base fractures is surgical. Open fixation is stable but causes tendinous adhesions. Percutaneous fixation is minimally invasive but is often followed by secondary displacement. Herein, we describe an alternative approach that combines advantages of both techniques through increasing stability of the Iselin technique by externally connecting the K-wires. Our series included 13 men of mean age 28 years. There were 13 fractures, 6 of which were extra-articular; there were 7 Bennett fractures, 5 of which had a large fracture fragment. After reduction, two 18 mm K-wires were driven medially crossing the 3 cortices of the first and second metacarpals. After bending them at 90-degree angles, the K-wires were connected externally in a construction allowing adaptation of the gap between the K-wires. Gentle immediate mobilization was allowed and the K-wires were removed 6 weeks later in clinic. At 16-month follow-up, mean pain score was 0.2/10 and Quick DASH was 2.9/100. Pinch grip was 81.8% of the contralateral side and grip strength 91.2%. The first web space opening was 79.1%. There was 1 secondary displacement with a good final result and 2 malunions. No arthritis was noted, but the follow-up was short. Our results show that the Iselin technique using locked K-wires is minimally invasive, stable, allows immediate mobilization, and K-wire removal in the office. Its indications may be extended to all fractures of the base of the first metacarpal whether articular or extra-articular.

Fracture dislocations of the fifth carpometacarpal are usually treated by percutaneous K-wires despite occasional complications: displacement, stiffness, malunions, and arthritis. Our aims were to evaluate the use of locked K-wire fixation for these fracture dislocations. Our series includes 31 fracture dislocations, five extra-articular and 26 articular, 21 of which were at the base of the metacarpal, four at the hamate, and one involving both the hamate and the metacarpal. Mean tourniquet time was 22 min and irradiation 2 mGy. After reduction, an M4 M5 K-wire and a carpometacarpal wire were connected using an MetaHUS® connector. Immediate immobilization was allowed. Return to normal activity was resumed at 6.5 weeks. At around 15 months follow-up, mean pain score was 8.5, Quick DASH was 6.36, and overall grip strength was 92%, TAM of the fifth ray was 96% of the contralateral side. There were two displacements that were re-operated with good result, three superficial infections, and one case of stiffness. All fractures healed without arthritis. Overall, percutaneous K-wire and splinting of fracture dislocations of the fifth carpometacarpal joint is unstable, and internal fixation can cause adhesions and stiffness. Our results show that the percutaneous locked K-wire technique is a good alternative as it associates closed reduction with K-wire fixation and a solid fixation using an external connector. This technique allows immediate mobilization of the hand and removal of hardware in clinic.

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