Treatment of Bennett fractures with tension-band wiring through a small incision under loupes and a headlight.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to present a novel treatment strategy for Bennett fractures using a tension-band wiring technique performed through a small incision with loupes and a headlight. Additionally, this study compared this technique with the conventional percutaneous pinning technique. METHODS: Between January 2014 and January 2017, the tension-band wiring technique was used in 37 patients with Bennett fractures (study group). The range of motion, pinch and grip strengths, and hand function were assessed at the final follow-up. A control group comprising 35 patients treated with the percutaneous pinning technique was included in the study for comparison. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. (Clinical Trial Registration number: ISRCTN64894535 at http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN64894535 ) Results: No fixation failure or infection occurred in either group. Radiographic fracture healing was achieved in all cases. Follow-up lasted over 1 year. The mean Kapandji opposition score was 9.31 (range 8-10) points in the study group and 8.45 (range 7-10) points in the control group (p < 0.05). The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 1.06 (range 0-2) in the study group and 1.77 (range 0-3) in the control group (p < 0.05). The mean Smith and Cooney Score were 90 (range 80-100) in the study group and 85 (range 75-100) in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The tension-band wiring technique using loupes and headlights enables reduction and fixation of Bennett fractures under direct visualization of the deep operative field. Restoration of thumb function using the tension-band wiring technique is significantly better than that observed with the conventional percutaneous pinning technique.