Fixation of closed metacarpal shaft fractures. Transverse K-wires in 22 cases.

22 patients who had closed displaced metacarpal shaft fractures, treated by transverse percutaneous K-wire fixation were reviewed. In 11 cases, 1 distal and 1 proximal wire were inserted and in the rest, 2 distal and 1 proximal wire were used. The results in patients treated with a single distal wire were unsatisfactory due to pivoting of the distal fragment on the wire with consequent angulation and cosmetic deformity. In those who had 2 wires inserted distally, the reduction position was maintained throughout.