Clinical outcomes of absorbable plates (hydroxyapatite-poly-l-lactide composites) for phalangeal fractures – case reports

I. Nagura, T. Kanatani, A. Inui³, Y. Mifune, R. Kuroda, S. Lucchina

1 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ako City Hospital, Ako, Japan

2 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe Rosai Hospital, Kobe, Japan

3 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan

4 Locarno Hand Center, Locarno, Switzerland

5 Hand Unit EOC, Locarno’s Regional Hospital, Locarno, Switzerland

Summary

We report two cases of the basal phalanx fractures of the thumb treated with absorbable mesh plates. In both cases, the mesh plates specifically tailored for each fracture were effective in obtaining bone union and healing. We conclude that absorbable mesh plates could be a practical option for phalangeal fractures, especially where proprietary pre-molded metallic plates do not neatly fit the reduced fracture area.

Key words

phalangeal fracture – absorbable plate – open fracture – internal fixation – flexible