[External fixator of the wrist-temporary fixation]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Trauma care
• Skeletal fixation devices

Background:

• Wrist fractures and dislocations are common orthopedic injuries.
• Complex cases, including those with bone loss or soft tissue defects, present significant treatment challenges.
• Temporary stabilization is crucial for managing multi-trauma patients and severe local injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a minimally invasive external fixation technique for wrist stabilization.
• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of this method for temporary fracture fixation.
• To outline indications, contraindications, and the surgical procedure for external wrist fixation.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing percutaneous or minimally invasive threaded pins inserted into the radius and metacarpals.
• Employing an external fixator frame for fixed-angle bridging of the wrist.
• Applying ligamentotaxis to retain fracture fragments and achieve temporary stabilization.

Main Results:

• The described technique provides reliable temporary fixation for the wrist.
• It is a low-complication procedure suitable for a range of indications.
• Effective in managing fractures, dislocations, and post-resection instability.

Conclusions:

• External fixation offers a viable solution for temporary wrist stabilization in complex orthopedic scenarios.
• The described technique is safe and effective for managing various wrist injuries.
• Ligamentotaxis aids in fracture fragment retention and overall stability.