Use of a non-anatomic mini-fragment fixation system for foot fractures
Matthew Hague1, Valeria Pintar1, Dominic Nielsen1
1Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Background:
Plating techniques for the fixation of foot fractures can utilize pre-contoured region-specific plates or non-anatomic non-specific mini-fragment plating systems, however there is limited published data describing complication rates.
Methods:
This study reviewed the complication rates and performed a cost analysis of 45 foot fractures that had fixation with the use of mini-fragment non-anatomic implants, comparing them to a series from the same centre fixed using anatomic implants and the published literature.
Results:
Complication rates seemed equivalent. Cost analysis demonstrated that non-anatomic implants were more expensive on average.
Conclusions:
Non-anatomic mini-fragment fixation is an appropriate method for use in a variety of foot trauma situations, with comparable complication rates to pre-contoured implants, although the potential for cost savings has not been realized in this patient cohort.
