[External stabilization of the metacarpal bones II to V. Anatomic-clinical study]

The four ulnar metacarpal bones are connected to each other at their proximal and distal ends by strong ligaments. The second and fifth metacarpal bones are the frame of the metacarpus. Surgically, this is of great importance. A fracture of these two bones often requires stabilization, whereas a fracture of the third and fourth metacarpal bones with intact ligaments seldom requires surgery except in cases of severe fragment dislocation. Using external fixation for these purposes it seems to be of utmost interest to define secure pintracks through the soft tissue. In an anatomical study using formalin fixed specimen it clearly could be demonstrated that the second and fifth metacarpal bones are best suited for external fixation. The second metacarpal bone should always be fixed from the radial side because the fixator pins can be inserted within a wide range of angles without the risk of violating the extensor tendons. Variations of tendons and ligaments are seldom located on the radial side of the second metacarpal bone and therefore, finger movement is unhindered after pin application. A similar consideration is true for the fifth metacarpal bone which should be fixed from the ulnar side. With respect to the extensor tendon which covers the entire dorsal surface of the fifth metacarpal bone, the angle of the pins should be 40 to 90 degrees from the dorsal side. For the third metacarpal bone, fixation from the radial side is preferable taking topographical and biomechanical considerations into account. The radial corridor to the fourth metacarpal bone is smaller than the ulnar corridor, but there is much less morphological variability of the extensor tendons than on the ulnar side where strong fibres often cross the fourth intermetacarpal space. Because in the proximal fourth of the metacarpal bones the tendons are located very close to each other, a small skin incision and preparation to the bone surface is advisable to exclude violation of the tendons when inserting fixator screws into the third and fourth metacarpal bones. Using formalin-alcohol fixed cadaver specimens for the research gives an idea of the anatomical situation in the dorsal metacarpus but cannot answer the question whether the tendons in the lax subcutaneous tissue of the living will automatically slip aside when the fixator pin approaches. This should be item to subsequent studies in fresh frozen specimens and follow-up studies in a larger amount of patients treated with external fixation.