Objective: To evaluate the clinical results of mallet finger accompanied by avulsional fracture treated with Ishiguro method.
Methods: Twenty-seven patients suffering from mallet finger accompanied by avulsional fracture were treated with Ishiguro method or its modified method. During the operation, a blocking pin was inserted percutaneously with DIP flexed, then the DIP was fixed at a position of full extension with another Kirschner wire. When the fracture fragment was big with rotation displacement, a third Kirschner wire could be used to correct the displacement and fix fracture.
Results: The patients were followed up 2 months to 6 years and 6 months with an average of 9.3 months postoperatively. And the clinical results were evaluated with the modified Crawford's criteria, including DIP pain, range of motion and pinch power. The rate of bone union was 100%. The results were excellent in 7 patients, good in 11 patients, moderate in 8 patients and poor in 1 patient. After operation, the range of flexion was 54.19 degrees +/- 14.45 degrees, while the range of extension was -4.96 degrees +/- 9.27 degrees. The X-ray sign of slight osteoarthritis could be seen in one patient.
Conclusion: Ishiguro method is simple, effective and less invasive. It is suitable for treatment of mallet finger accompanied by avulsional fracture.