Functional and Radiological Outcomes of Transverse K_Wire Fixation for Unstable Metacarpal Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. | ||
| Fayoum University Medical Journal | ||
| Volume 16, Issue 1, November 2025, Pages 152-170 PDF (936.74 K) | ||
| Document Type: Review Articles | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/fumj.2025.374602.1495 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Marco Dawood* 1; Hatem A. Kotb2; Mohamed Sayed Elazab3 | ||
| 1faculty of medicine , Fayoum university | ||
| 2Orthopedic department, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University | ||
| 3Orthopedic surgery department - Fayoum University | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Metacarpal fractures are among the most common hand injuries, often requiring surgical intervention for proper alignment and functional recovery. Transverse K-wire fixation is a widely used technique for treating unstable metacarpal fractures, but its efficacy and complication rates remain variably reported. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed using MeSH terms and keywords related to metacarpal fractures, K-wire fixation, and transverse pinning. Inclusion criteria encompassed randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective studies assessing transverse K-wire fixation. Outcomes analyzed included TAM, QuickDASH score, grip strength, VAS pain score, healing time, and complication rates. Meta-analysis was performed using random or fixed models, depending on heterogeneity assessed via the I² statistic. Results: 8 studies (N = 204 patients) were included. Mean TAM was 256.9°, indicating favorable postoperative motion. QuickDASH scores averaged 2.61, reflecting minimal disability. Grip strength: 95.67% of the unaffected hand, suggesting good functional recovery. VAS score was 0.98, indicating low pain levels. Healing time average 6.69 weeks. Complication rate: 10.7%. Conclusion: Transverse K-wire fixation provides excellent functional and radiological outcomes for unstable metacarpal fractures, with consistent healing times and low complication rates. However, significant heterogeneity was observed in several outcome measures, particularly grip strength, pain scores, and disability levels, suggesting variability in patient populations and surgical techniques. Further high-quality, randomized trials with standardized rehabilitation protocols are needed to refine surgical indication. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Metacarpal; Fracture, Transverse, k-wires, meta-analysis | ||
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