Objective To compare differences in the cl inical outcomes between percutaneous pinning with plaster spl int and open reduction and pull ing out wire in the treatment of mallet fingers. Methods From December 2002 to September 2007, 72 patients with mallet fingers were treated. They were divided into two groups: group A and group B. In group A, 38 patients were treated by open reduction and pull ing out wire, 34 males and 4 females, aged (26.0 ± 8.5) years. Among them, 2 patients were injured in the index finger, 11 in the middle finger, 18 in the ring finger and 7 in the l ittle finger. Thirtythreepatients suffered from sports injuries, 5 from fall ing wounds. The average time between the injury and the surgery was(6.1 ± 3.1) days. In group B, 34 patients were treated by percutaneous pinning with plaster spl int, 26 males and 8 females, aged (28.1 ± 10.7) years. Among them, 1 patient was injured in the index finger, 9 in the middle finger, 15 in the ring finger and 9 in the l ittle finger. Thirty-one patients suffered from sports injuries, 3 from fall ing wounds. The average time between the injury and the surgery was (6.3 ± 3.6) days. All the fingers had typical mallet malformation, and X-ray films showed avulsed fractures of distal-segment phalanxes at the dorsal basilar part. Results The operation time was (61.8 ± 12.8) minutes in group A and (7.0 ± 2.6) minutes in group B. All patients in both groups were followed up for 6-24 months (11.9 months on average in group A and 13.2 months in group B). In group A, apart from 3 patients who had flap necrosis and infection, all the other patients obtained heal ing by first intention. One patient had palmar skin ulcer at 6 days after the operation and healed after proper treatment. Thirty-six patients gained bone union at (47.6 ± 8.7) days postoperatively and 2 patients had pseudarthrosis, which improved after reconstruction of the extensor tendon attachment point. According to the total active movement (TAM) functional assessment system, 10 cases were e cellent, 18 good, 8 fair and 2 poor, with the choiceness rate of 73.7%. In group B, all incisions obtained heal ing by first intention without pin-track infection, flap necrosis and migration of the pins and gained bone union at (27.7 ± 3.9) days after the operation. According to the TAM functional assessment system, 19 cases were excellent, 13 good and 2 fair, with the choiceness rate of 94.1%. There were significant differences between the two groups in operation time, compl ications, heal ing time and choiceness rate (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Percutaneous pinning with plaster spl int is simple in operation and has smaller incisions and fewer compl ications compared with open reduction and pull ing out wire, andproves to be a useful way in the treatment of mallet fingers.
Objective To investigate the short-term effectiveness of TiRobot combined with O-arm navigation system in the minimally invasive treatment of hindfoot fracture. Methods Between March 2019 and March 2021, 25 patients with hindfoot fractures were admitted. There were 14 males and 11 females, with an average age of 51.7 years (range, 19-76 years). The causes of injuries included falling from height in 17 cases and traffic accident in 8 cases. The interval between injury and operation was 1-3 days (mean, 2.1 days). There were 16 cases of calcaneus fracture, 7 cases of talus fracture, and 2 cases of calcaneus and talus fractures. According to Sanders classification criteria, the calcaneus fractures were classified as type Ⅱ in 10 cases and type Ⅲ in 8 cases; according to the Hawkins classification criteria, the talus fractures were classified as type Ⅱ in 4 cases and type Ⅲ in 5 cases. Preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score was 48.1±9.1. During operation, the fractures were fixed with the percutaneous cannulated screws with the assistance of the TiRobot combined with the O-arm navigation system. The operation time, hospital stay, and the occurrence of related complications were recorded. X-ray films were reviewed to evaluate the fracture healing and the occurrence of talus osteonecrosis, and the width, length, height, Böhler’s angle, and Gissane’s angle of the calcaneus were measured; AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was used to evaluated the foot function. Results The operation time ranged from 47 to 71 minutes (mean, 60.5 minutes). The length of hospital stay ranged from 2 to 5 days (mean, 3.4 days). All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 17.3 months). One patient demonstrated hypoesthesia on the lateral side of foot after operation and recovered after symptomatic treatment. All fractures healed confirmed by X-ray films and the healing time ranged from 10 to 16 weeks (mean, 11.8 weeks). No talus osteonecrosis occurred during follow-up. There were significant differences in the width, length, height, Böhler’s angle, and Gissane’s angle of the calcaneus between pre-operation and at last follow-up (P<0.05). At last follow-up, AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was 91.2±5.0, the difference was significant when compared with preoperative score (t=22.169, P<0.001). The results were excellent in 16 cases and good in 9 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion TiRobot combined with O-arm navigation system for minimally invasive treatment of hindfoot fractures can obtain the satisfactory short-term effectiveness, with the advantages of less surgical trauma, precise fixation, and fewer complications.