• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.134-144
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• 2016

In adults, mallet finger is a traumatic zone I lesion of the extensor tendon with either tendon rupture or bony avulsion at the base of the distal phalanx. High-energy mechanisms of injury generally occur in young men, whereas lower energy mechanisms are observed in elderly women. The mechanism of injury is an axial load applied to a straight digit tip, which is then followed by passive extreme distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) hyperextension or hyperflexion. Mallet finger is diagnosed clinically, but an X-ray should always be performed. Tubiana's classification takes into account the size of the bony articular fragment and DIPJ subluxation. We propose to stage subluxated fractures as stage III if the subluxation is reducible with a splint and as stage IV if not. Left untreated, mallet finger becomes chronic and leads to a swan-neck deformity and DIPJ osteoarthritis. The goal of treatment is to restore active DIPJ extension. The results of a six- to eight-week conservative course of treatment with a DIPJ splint in slight hyperextension for tendon lesions or straight for bony avulsions depends on patient compliance. Surgical treatments vary in terms of the approach, the reduction technique, and the means of fixation. The risks involved are stiffness, septic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Given the lack of consensus regarding indications for treatment, we propose to treat all cases of mallet finger with a dorsal glued splint except for stage IV mallet finger, which we treat with extra-articular pinning.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.318-321
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• 2009

Purpose: The bony mallet finger injury is generally managed by conservative treatments, but operative treatments are needed especially when the fractures involve above 30% of articular surface or distal phalanx is accompanied by subluxation in the volar side. This is the reason they often result in chronic instability, articular subluxation and unsatisfactory cosmetic. In this report, We describe new method using the hook plate as an operative treatment of Mallet finger deformity. Methods: Among 13 patients with Mallet finger deformity who came from February 2006 to February 2008, six patient were included in surgical indication. Under local anesthesia, H or Y type incision was made at the DIP joint area. After the DIP joint extension, the hook plate was put on the fracture line, and one self tapping screw was used for fixation. 2 hole plate which was one of the holes in 1.5 mm diameter was cut in almost half and bended through approximately $100^{\circ}$. Results: In all six cases which applied the hook plate, complications such as loss of reduction or nail deformity were not seen. In only one patient, hook pate was removed due to inflammatory reaction after surgery. At 2 weeks after operation, active motion of DIP joint was performed. The result was satisfactory not only cosmetically but also functionally. At 6 weeks after operation, the range of motion of DIP joint was average $64^{\circ}$. Conclusion: The purpose of the operative treatment for mallet finger deformity using the hook plate is to provide anatomical reduction with rigid fixation and to prevent contracture at the DIP joint. While other operations take 6 weeks, the operation using the hook plate begins an active motion at 2 weeks after operation. Complication rate was low and the method is rather simple. Thus, the operation using the hook plate is recommended as a good alternative method of the mallet finger deformity treatment.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.239-247
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• 2018

Purpose: We investigated occurrence of reduction loss after extension block (EB) Kirschner wire fixation or additional interfragmentary fixation (AIF) and clinical results including extension lag of the distal interphalangeal joint for treating bony mallet finger. Methods: Forty-six patients were included with a mean follow-up of 28 months (range, 12-54 months). Twenty-seven patients were treated with EB K-wire fixation (Group A) while 19 patients were treated with AIF (Group B). We checked radiologic factors, such as amount of articular involvement, volar subluxation, mallet fragment angle, reduction loss, range of motion including extension lag, and functional outcomes using Crawford's criteria. Results: Reduction loss occurred in eight patients (17%). Differences in mean extension lag, age, preoperative volar subluxation and mallet fragment angle between patients with reduction loss and those with reduction maintaining were significant. However, there were no significant differences in gender, hand dominance, amount of articular involvement, AIF, or further flexion between reduction loss and reduction maintaining. As for patterns of displacement, there was a significant relationship between gap or step-off and extension lag. Using Crawford's evaluation criteria, functional outcomes were excellent in 31, good in 10, fair in 3, and poor in 2 patients. Conclusion: Reduction loss should be careful in older age, smaller mallet fragment angle and preoperative volar subluxation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.480-484
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• 2006

Purpose: A lot of surgical techniques were tried to correct extension lag of distal interphalangeal joint. Spiral oblique retinacular ligament reconstruction is the one of correction techniques. Methods: From January 2004 to January 2005, a total of 13 extension lag of distal interphalangeal joint corrections were performed using spiral oblique retinacular ligament reconstruction for 11 patients. After dorsal incision exposing from base of distal phalanx to proximal phalanx, the new ligament(half of lateral band or graft tendon) lies distally at the dorsum of the distal phalanx and passes volarly and proximally along the side of the middle phalanx and anterior and obliquely across the front of the proximal interphalangeal joint to the opposite side of the digit at the proximal phalanx. Results: 5 of 6 mallet finger deformities and 7 swan neck deformities were corrected, which were both extension lag of distal interphalangeal joint and hyperextension of proximal interphalangeal joint. Conclusion: As a result, spiral oblique retinacular ligament reconstruction is an effective and recommendable method for correction of mallet finger deformity and swan neck deformity.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.248-253
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of anatomic reduction of bony mallet finger using modified-intrafocal pinning technique. Methods: From March 2014 to October 2017, 18 patients with bony mallet finger were treated with modified-intrafocal pinning technique. Kirschner-wire was used to directly reduction the bony fragment, and extension block pinning and distal interphalangeal joint fixation were additionally performed to minimize the loss of reduction. Postoperative pain, range of motion, and radiological evaluation were performed. Duration of bone healing, functional recovery and complication rate were evaluated and Crawford's criteria was used to determine functional outcome after surgery. Results: Bone union was achieved in all cases after a postoperative mean of 6 weeks (5-7 weeks). An average of $2.8^{\circ}$ ($0^{\circ}-10^{\circ}$) extension loss occurred in all patients. All patients showed satisfactory joint congruency and reformation of the joint surface, the mean flexion angle of the distal interphalangeal joint at the final follow-up was $72.2^{\circ}$ ($70^{\circ}-75^{\circ}$). According to Crawford's classification, 12 patients (66.7%) were excellent and 6 patients (33.3%) were good. Conclusion: Modified-intrafocal pinning technique is a method of obtaining anatomical bone healing by directly reduction and fixation of the bony fragment. Combined with other conventional percutaneous pinning procedures, it is expected that good results can be obtained if applied to appropriate indications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.776-779
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• 2006

Purpose: Prior to closure of the epiphysis of the distal phalanx, fracture usually occurs through the growth plate, Salter-Harris type I or II, or through the juxtaepiphyseal region 1 to 2 mm distal to the growth plate. The terminal tendon of extensor inserts into the epiphysis only, while insertion site of the flexor digitorum profundus spans both the epiphysis and metaphysis. Because of the difference between these tendon insertions, this injury mimics a mallet deformity. But, this type of injury does not involve a tear or avulsion of the extensor, unlike mallet finger of adults. Seymour was the first to describe this type of injury in children and called after his name, Seymour's fracture. This fracture is prone to infection or remain the residual deformity unless adequate treatment. Methods: We report a case of Seymour's fracture. A 9-year-old boy presented a laceration of the nail matrix, with the nail lies degloved from the nail fold on the right middle finger gotten from an impact against a door. An X-ray examination showed the fracture line lying 1 mm distal to the growth plate. The injury was treated with debridement and the fracture was reduced by applying hyperextension force. Under the C-arm, a single 0.7 mm K-wire was used to immobilize the distal interphalangeal joint. Intravenous antibiotics were applied for 5 days after surgery. Results: The K-wire was removed in the 3rd week. No infection or significant deformity was found until follow-up of 12 months. Conclusions: Seymour's fracture may be at first classically mallet deformity by its appearance. But it is anatomically different and more problematic injury. If it isn't corrected at the time of injury, derangement of the extensor mechanism, and growth deformity of the distal phalanx may occur. The fracture site should be debrided, removed of any interposed soft tissue, and the patient should be given appropriate antibiotics. Reduction should be maintained by K-wire fixation. We experienced no infection or premature epiphyseal closure.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 1968

The purposes of this study were to measure the film thickness of zinc phosphate cement between the casting restorations and preparation walls. In addition, the differences between finger press and non press techniques after the castings were seated completely on the preparation by an automatic mallet until the cement set were studied. The results were as follows : 1) In full cast crown, the cement film thickness on the side wall was thinner than that on the other walls. 2) In 3/4 crown and inlay, the cement thickness was thinner than that in cast crowns. 3) The cement of great W/P ratio showed thinner thickness than that of little W/P ratio. 4) The continuous finger press after the castings were seated completely on the preparations had few influence on the cement film thickness.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.351-356
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• 2018

Background Mallet fracture can easily occur during sports activities or in daily life; however, the principles and methods of treatment for such fractures remain debated. Among the surgical treatments, various methods of closed reduction have been proposed. We treated patients with the extension block method (EBM) and the direct pinning method (DPM), and then compared the results. We assessed differences in range of motion and measurements of finger movement after surgery. Methods A total of 41 patients who underwent surgery from August 2013 to September 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. Among them, 21 patients were treated with the EBM and 20 patients were treated with the DPM. We then compared extensor lag, range of motion, and outcomes according to Crawford's criteria between before surgery and at 6 to 8 months postoperatively. Results The postoperative extensor lag improvement was $4.28^{\circ}$ and $10.73^{\circ}$, and the postoperative arc of motion was $55.76^{\circ}$ and $61.17^{\circ}$ in the EBM and DPM groups, respectively. The Crawford assessment showed no statistically significant difference between the groups, although the score in the DPM group was higher than that in the EBM group (3.5 vs. 3.1). Conclusions As closed reduction methods for the treatment of mallet fracture, both the EBM and DPM showed good results. However, the DPM proved to be superior to the EBM in that it produced greater improvements in extensor lag and range of motion.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.77-89
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate internal conical abutment sinking and fitness according to the loading condition. In this study, Alloden implant fixture and two abutment(conventional, FDI) systems were used. Each abutment was applied 1 time of finger force, 3 times of malleting force, 5 times of 20kg and extra several times to the fixture until the amount of abutment singking showed no change. Then, the length of abutment to fixture which was binding lightly with no pressure state was measured by Vernier caliper. After loading application, the length was remeasured and the amount of sinking was calculated. The implant was buried in unsaturated polyester (Epovia, Cray Valley Inc. Korea) for making a comparison between the change of length and fitness of abutment-fixture connection part. Then All samples were cross-sectioned with high speed precision cut-off(accutom-5, Struers, Denmark). Finally, The result were observed and analyzed using FE-SEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy).

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.773-778
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• 2013

Background In the management of mallet deformities, oblique retinacular ligament (ORL) reconstruction provides a mechanism for automatic distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint extension upon active proximal interphalangeal joint extension. The two variants of ORL reconstruction utilize either the lateral band or a free tendon graft. This study aims to compare these two surgical techniques and to assess any differences in functional outcome. As a secondary measure, the Mitek bone anchor and pull-in suture methods are compared. Methods A single-institutional retrospective review of ORL reconstruction was performed. The standard patient demographics, injury mechanism, type of ORL reconstruction, and pre/postoperative degree of extension lag were collected for the 27 cases identified. The cases were divided into lateral band (group A, n=15) and free tendon graft groups (group B, n=12). Group B was subdivided into the pull-in suture technique (B-I) and the Mitek bone anchor method (B-II). Results Overall, ORL reconstructions had improved the mean DIP extension lag by $10^{\circ}$ (P=0.027). Neither the reconstructive technique choice nor bone fixation method identified any statistically meaningful difference in functional outcome (P=0.51 and P=0.83, respectively). Soft-tissue injury was associated with $30.8^{\circ}$ of improvement in the extension lag. The most common complications were tendon adhesion and rupture. Conclusions The choice of the ORL reconstructive technique or the bone anchor method did not influence the primary functional outcome of extension lag in this study. Both lateral band and free tendon graft ORL reconstructions are valid treatment methods in the management of chronic mallet deformity.