Archives of Plastic Surgery

Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (대한성형외과학회)
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Open reduction and internal fixation of metacarpal fractures using a thermoplastic splint as a surgical instrument

  • Papavasiliou, Theodora (Department of Plastic Surgery, Guys' and St Thomas' Hospitals) ;
  • Park, Paul Dain (Department of Plastic Surgery, Guys' and St Thomas' Hospitals) ;
  • Tejero, Ricardo (Department of Plastic Surgery, Guys' and St Thomas' Hospitals) ;
  • Allain, Niklaas (Department of Plastic Surgery, Guys' and St Thomas' Hospitals) ;
  • Uppal, Lauren (Department of Plastic Surgery, Guys' and St Thomas' Hospitals)
  • Received : 2021.01.11
  • Accepted : 2021.05.27
  • Published : 2021.07.15
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Abstract

Adequate positioning of the hand is a critical step in hand fracture operative repair that can impact both the clinical outcome and the efficiency of the operation. In this paper, we introduce the use of a thermoplastic splint with an added thumb stabilizing component as a means to increase the surgeon's autonomy and to streamline the patient care pathway. The thermoplastic splint is custom fabricated preoperatively by the specialist hand therapist. The splint is used prior, during, and post operation with minimal modification. The thumb component assists maintaining the forearm in a stable pronated position whilst drilling and affixing metal work. This is demonstrated in the video of removal of metal work and open reduction and internal fixation of a metacarpal fracture.

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References

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