Surgical Fixation of Metacarpal Shaft Fractures Using Absorbable Implants: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Despite the proven efficacy and advantages of absorbable implants, their use for metacarpal shaft fixation has been limited. This is likely due to the high reported complication rates in early studies with polyglycolic acid (PGA) implants, notably high rates of noninfectious inflammatory reaction (5%-25%), occurring up to 30 weeks after fixation. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes of newer absorbable plates and screws in the treatment of metacarpal shaft fractures. Methods: The authors performed a systematic search of the PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases dating from 1946 to 2017. Primary outcome measures were the development of noninfectious inflammatory reaction and implant failure. Results: A total of 42 metacarpal shaft fractures in 35 patients were included. The average follow-up time was 20.4 months (n = 24; range: 3.6-61 months). Only 1 case (2.4%) of noninfectious inflammatory reaction was reported with polylactic acid (PLA) plates and PLA/PGA compounds. Noninfectious inflammatory reaction was observed in 4 out of the 9 patients (44.4%) with a trimethylene carbonate/PLA compound. Symptoms appeared after an average time of 15.8 months (range: 12-19 months) post-fixation. Painless prolonged inflammation that resolved spontaneously within 6 months was reported in 7.1% of cases (n = 3). Implant failure with loss of fracture reduction was reported in 9.5% of cases (n = 4). Conclusions: Newer absorbable materials appear to have significantly lower rates of noninfectious inflammatory reaction than previously reported. When compared with metallic fixation of the metacarpal shaft, absorbable fixation appears to have comparable complication rates and biomechanical properties.