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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives This study focused on the management of patients with phalangeal fractures by a mini external fixator from April 2010 to October 2014. All procedures were performed under regional anesthesia. There were 10 open and 10 closed fractures and 15 comminuted and five oblique fractures. Background These fractures can be treated conservatively or operatively depending on the nature of injuries, fracture pattern, and fracture stability. Materials and methods In this study, fractures were managed by a mini external fixator; 80% were managed on the same day of injury. The mean time of removal of the fixator was 18.4 days and the mean follow-up was 2.5 years. Complications occurred in nine fractures; 95% of fractures healed and just one case of nonunion was present. There was no need for removal of the fixator in the other complication. Results It is obvious that patients with closed fractures show better results than those with open fractures; our result was markedly better in extra-articular fractures than intra-articular fractures. All patients above 60 years old had poor resulrs and the unstisfactory results (poor and fair) were increased when the time of application of fixator increase. In all cases, patients«SQ» satisfaction was high. Conclusion External fixation proved to be a suitable and alternative technique for stabilization of comminuted, oblique, and open fractures.

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