Fracture fixation in the mutilated hand

Early anatomic (or near anatomic; lingers do not impinge or overlap during flexion or extension) stable fracture fixation provides the foundation for successful wound management and for the repair, reconstruction, and healing of all damaged tissues in a mutilating hand injury. It also plays an instrumental role in pain control and affords an optimal opportunity for timely and favorable rehabilitation of and recovery from mutilating injuries of the hand. Kirschner or other wiring systems or mini external fixators may be used for simple fractures, in children, when rapid fracture fixation is necessary, and for provisional fracture fixation. Mini plates should be considered for fractures with comminution or loss and in instances of multiple fractures. Fingers with segmental injury of three or more tissues should be considered for early amputation to avoid prolonged and impaired recovery of the hand. Every effort should be made to preserve the thumb and its function by repair or reconstruction.