• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.623-628
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• 2009

Purpose: In cases where nasal fractures involve frontal process of maxilla or perpendicular plate of ethmoid, 4 - 5 days of nasal packing may not provide sufficient support for avoiding displacement after packing removal. Therefore a single Kirschner - wire(K - wire) is used as an internal splint when nasal fractures involve the above two areas. Methods: Thirty five patients during the last 3 practical years were treated with a K -wire pinning according to the anatomic locations of nasal fractures. We performed a retrospective study using 13 nasal fractures out of total 35 patients. Among 13 cases, 10 patients involved frontal process of maxilla, and 3 patients were diagnosed as bilateral nasal side wall fractures accompanied with fractures of perpendicular plate of ethmoid. One patient of the last three cases had been augmented with dorsal silicone implant long before the trauma. We analyzed the anteroposterior displacement of key stone area and the width between both lateral walls by comparing immediate postoperative radiographs with 2 month follow - ups. To reduce the errors, the same measurements were taken by two different inspectors, and the mean of each inspector's measurements was compared. Patient satisfaction was analyzed using a questionnaire regarding the esthetic and functional outcomes. Results: Ten patients underwent a longitudinal K - wire fixation in submucoperiosteal plane underneath the frontal process of maxilla. And three patients underwent a transverse K - wire fixation from the one side of lateral wall to the perpendicular plate of ethmoid and to the other side of lateral wall. The mean postoperative anteroposterior displacement of the key stone area measured by two inspectors were 1.84% and 3.06%; mean narrowing of bony pyramid were 1.33% and 1.48%, respectively. Subjective satisfaction scores regarding the esthetic appearance and the maintenance of nasal shape compared with immediate post - operative state with the long term ones were not different (p>0.05). Conclusion: K - wire pinning after closed reduction is a reliable and useful method for the treatment of nasal fractures involving frontal process of maxilla or perpendicular plate of ethmoid. This is because it achieves longer intranasal support after reduction. This method also leaves conspicuous external scar, and minimal soft - tissue injury.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.230-236
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• 2010

Purpose: We wanted to evaluate the result of percutaneous, mini-open reduction for the treatment of Mason II or III radial head and neck fractures. Materials and Methods: 13 patients (8 male, 5 female) with Mason II or III radial head and neck fractures were treated by 1 cm percutaneous mini-open reduction under fluoroscopy. The average age of our subjects was 29 years. Follow up duration was 18 months. Results: Union was noted in all cases. Mean radial neck angulation was decreased from 33.2 degrees to 7.8 degrees. The mean change in angulation between the immediate post-operative and last follow-up was 0.7 degrees. The mean range of motion at the elbow joint was at last follow up, 133.1 degrees in flexion, 7.3 degrees in extension, 80 degrees in pronation and 84.3 degrees in supination. Postoperatively, mean Mayo Elbow Performance Index, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons elbow score, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were 96.2, 97 and 1.2. Temporary posterior interosseous nerve palsy (1 case) and minimal cubitus valgus deformity (1 case) were noted. Conclusion: Selected Mason II or III radial head and neck fractures can be treated satisfactorily with percutaneous mini-open reduction.