Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Metacarpal Small Incision for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Published on: April 5, 2024
Percutaneous transverse pinning for metacarpal fractures: a clinical trial
Andrea Pintore1, Alberto Astone2, Gianluca Vecchio1
1Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
Introduction:
Metacarpal fractures account for 25%-50% of all hand fractures and may negatively impact hand function and ability to work. Percutaneous transverse pinning of non-articular metacarpal fractures allows mobilisation immediately after the procedure.
Methods:
Between March 2017 and February 2022, 56 patients undergoing percutaneous transverse pinning for unstable metacarpal fractures were prospectively recruited. We investigated surgical outcomes in terms of Patient-rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) and pre-and post-operative radiographic evaluation. The Student t-test was used to compare the means of PRWHE values after surgery. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results:
The mean age was 40.21 ± 17.9 years (range of 16 to 86 years). The average operating time was 27.96 min. The mean follow-up period was 14.3 ± 6.4 months (from 2 to 41 months). The mean PRWHE score was 6.5 ± 1.8. None of the patients had clinically observable rotational deformities, and the functional outcomes were satisfactory.
Conclusion:
Percutaneous transverse pinning for non-articular metacarpal fractures restores excellent function, and imaging results are satisfactory. Further high-quality clinical trials are required to validate these results on a larger scale.
Level Of Evidence:
II, prospective cohort study.
