Suture osteosynthesis in the bony reconstruction of thumb duplication

Abstract

Metacarpal osteotomies are done to correct deviation deformity in thumb duplication. We describe a suture-only technique of metacarpal osteosynthesis, without using K-wires. Thirteen Flatt Type IV thumbs and five Wassel Type VII thumbs were reconstructed with this technique. The median follow-up was 23 months. After osteotomy, the metacarpal bone fragments were sutured together with 5-0 polyglactin or 4-0 polydioxanone sutures. Metacarpal fragment displacement was not observed on postoperative radiographs obtained at 1 and 2 weeks. Bony union was achieved at 6 weeks without loss of alignment. The metacarpophalangeal joint alignment was anatomical (≤5° deviation) in eight cases. The mean pre- and postoperative metacarpophalangeal joint alignments were 27° and 9°, respectively. The 11 patients who were available for grading with the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand Score were assessed as good. Complete internalization of the bony fixation eliminates infections associated with exposed K-wires without compromising the overall outcome. Level of evidence: IV