Affiliations: [a] Department of Orthopedic, Trauma and Hand Surgery, St.Josefs-Hospital Cloppenburg, Germany | [b] Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany | [c] Trauma Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover Germany | [d] Orthopedic Department, Endo Klinik Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany | [e] Orthopedic Department, Hospital for Special Surgery, NY, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Andreas Oldewurtel, Department of Orthopedic, Trauma and Hand Surgery, D-49661 Cloppenburg, Germany. Tel.: +49 4471 16 0; Fax: +49 4471 16 2914; E-mail: andreas_oldewurtel@yahoo.de.
Abstract: The current study evaluated whether 3-D fluoroscopic imaging is capable of adequate visualisation, reduction and effective guidance of implant placement during a minimally-invasive screw-fixation (MISF) procedure in the treatment of proximal phalanx fractures. A comparison with conventional intraoperative 2-D imaging was performed in a cadaveric model. Conventional 2-D and 3-D imaging series were performed following the creation of proximal phalanx fractures, reduction and fixation, pre- and post-operatively. For both imaging modalities, attention was paid to A) correct reduction, B) screw-placement and, if present, C) intra-articular offset of fracture edges. The results revealed no related overall advantage of the 3-D imaging system over normal 2-D fluoroscopy at the proximal phalanx region. The authors conclude that, given the cost of 3-D imaging technology, as well as the increased time required for image acquisition, its routine use in the treatment of phalanx fracture cases is not justifiable at present.
Keywords: Proximal phalanx fracture, minimal screw fixation, Iso C 3-D, 2-D fluoroscopy
