Open Reduction and Intrafragmentary Compression Fixation with External Fixator (the Ichi-Fixator) Treatment of Distal Phalangeal Nonunion

The nonunion of distal phalangeal communized fracture is relatively rare in hand fractures. However, if it occurred, the surgical treatment is quite difficult because of small piece of fragmentations. We developed a new fixation method that involves the insertion of two wires and external wire compression fixation using a metal clamp. The aim of this technique was to increase the compression force between fragments and rigidity of conventional percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation. Here, we present a patient with the nonunion of distal phalangeal communized fracture who was satisfactorily treated with open reduction and percutaneous interfragmentary compression fixation with a linking external wire fixator (the Ichi-Fixator system). Such a treatment that enables compression fixation for communized distal phalangeal fracture of nonunion will clearly boost bone healing. Linked external wire-type compression fixator (the Ichi-Fixator system) enables enhanced security of fixation and facilitates the bone healing.