Asian Journal of Orthopaedic Research

Aim: To compare outcome of dual intra-medullary 1.5mm flexible k-wire fixation and single 2.0mm k-wire fixation in metacarpal fracture.

Study Design: A prospective study

Place of Study: Department of Orthopaedics, Govt. Medical College, Amritsar, India between November 2018 to December 2020.

Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 30 patients with a mean age of 35.7 years. The patients were divided into two groups (Group A - treated with Dual 1.5mm intramedullary k-wire) and Group B – treated with single 2mm Kirschner's wire) with 15 cases each at Government Medical College and Hospital, Amritsar.

Results: The average time for radiological union in Group A (Dual intramedullary k-wire) was 7.6 weeks, while it was 8.3 weeks in Group B (Single 2mm Kirschner's wire). There was no statistically significant difference in the radiological union time between the two groups (p=0.274) and (chi2 2.59). Stiffness was the most common associated complication in this study. It was more common in the group treated with Single 2mm Kirschner's wire (40%) compared to the group treated with Dual intramedullary k-wire (13.3%). Malunion was seen in 33.3% cases in group B while none in Group A. In Group A, 80.0% of cases had shown good to excellent results; while in Group B, 66.67% of the cases had similar result. Therewas no statistically significant difference (P = 0.735, chi-square = 1.28) in outcome in both groups.

Conclusion: Both Dual 1.5 mm intramedullary k-wire and Single 2 mm Kirschner's wire are good methods of internal fixation infractures of metacarpal. Though patients who were treated with Dual 1.5 mm intramedullary k-wire had better functional results, but the difference was not statistically significant.