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Metacarpal Fractures
Updated: Oct 9 2017

[Blocked from Release] Metacarpal Lag Screw Fixation for Long Oblique and Spiral Fractures

Preoperative Patient Care
Operative Techniques
E

Preoperative Plan

1

Execute surgical walkthrough

  • describe the steps of the procedure verbally prior to the start of the case

2

Description of potential complications and steps to avoid them

F

Room Preparation

1

Surgical Instrumentation

  • Neutralization plate and lag screws

2

Room setup and Equipment

  • standard operating table
  • hand table

3

Patient Positioning

  • patient placed in the supine position with hand on hand table
  • place tourniquet high on the affected extremity
G

Dorsolateral Longitudinal Exposure

1

Mark and make the incision

  • ensure that the exposure allows fixation of four cortices to the fracture both proximally and distally

2

Identify the neurovascular structures

  • identify and protect the dorsal sensory nerve branches
H

Fracture Reduction

1

Reduce the fracture

2

Use pointed clamps to maintain the reduction

3

Confirm the reduction with fluoroscopy

I

Lag Screw Placement

1

Place a lag screw perpendicular to the fracture

  • this maximizes compression

2

Place another screw perpendicular to the axis of the intramedullary canal

  • this resists the axial loads

3

Place additional lag screws

  • place lag screw in different planes to achieve fracture compression and resist loads that are applied to the metacarpal

4

Confirm reduction and fixation

  • use live fluoroscopy to confirm the reduction and screw placement of the multiple screws
J

Wound Closure

1

Close the periosteum and soft tissues

  • close the periosteum and the interosseous muscle fascia over the plate
  • this provides a smooth gliding surface for the extensor mechanism

2

Superficial closure

  • close the skin with 3-0 monocryl suture
Postoperative Patient Care
Private Note