Metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint arthrodesis: a comparative study between tension band and compression screw fixation. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Breyer, J. M.; Vergara, P.; Parra, L.; Sotelo, P.; Bifani, A.; Andrade, F.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hand surgery. Volume 40:Number 4(2015:May)
• Page Start: 374
• Page End: 378
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Finger arthrodesis -- screw -- tension band -- fusion; 617.575059
• DOI: 10.1177/1753193413514362
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-1934

Abstract

A retrospective, comparative cohort study was performed of metacarpophalangeal or proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis with either tension band ( n = 28) or compression (Acutrak Mini) screw ( n = 29) methods. We compared rate of union, healing time, complications, and re-operation rate. Union was achieved in 26/28 (92.8%) of the tension band group (9.4 weeks) and 24/28 (85.7%) of the compression screw group (9.8 weeks). Only 28 patients in the screw group were assessed for union as one patient in the screw group sustained a fracture at the time of insertion and was converted to tension band fixation. The complication rate was 8/28 (28.6%) in the tension band group and 8/29 (27.6%) in the compression screw group. Re-operation rate was 9/28 (32.1%) in the tension band group and 1/29 (3.6%) in the compression screw group. Our findings indicate that bone healing, healing time, and complications are similar in both groups. The tension band technique had a significantly higher re-operation rate (hardware removal), but was the technique for salvage following failure of the screw technique.