-Short Communication-

Minimally Invasive Corrective Osteotomy with the Ilizarov Mini-Fixator for Malunited Fractures of the Phalanges: Technical Note

Yuji Tomori, Mitsuhiko Nanno, Kentaro Sonoki and Tokifumi Majima

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

Posttraumatic malunion of the phalanx with rotational deformity may cause crossing of the finger and impair hand function. Cosmetic disfigurement and severe dysfunction of the fingers require surgical correction, most often via open corrective osteotomies and rigid fixation with plates. However, such an approach requires a longer incision, inevitably results in a scar, and has a higher potential for extensor tendon adhesions, which result in extension lags. In addition, abruption of the periosteum and plating of the phalanges require longer bone healing. This report describes the straightforward, minimally invasive correction of phalangeal malunions with a mini-external fixator. In this procedure, a digital block of the affected finger can be performed. The fully flexed position of all fingers provides accurate correction of phalangeal malunions. Although treatment of phalangeal malunions remains challenging, the present procedure is an alternative solution for phalangeal malunions.

J Nippon Med Sch 2021; 88: 262-266

Keywords
finger, malunion, corrective osteotomy, external fixator, Ilizarov mini-fixator

Correspondence to
Yuji Tomori, MD, PhD, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
s4064@nms.ac.jp

Received, April 29, 2020
Accepted, July 31, 2020