Background: Metacarpal bone fractures considered one
of the common skeletal fractures, accounting for 36% of all
hand and wrist fractures.
Patients and Methods: Only clinical studies of both
methods used in the management of closed fractures of the
second and third metacarpals were included in this review. It
also included studies comparing open reduction and int.
fixation with plate and screws Vs. percutaneous crossed Kwire
fixation for metacarpal fractures. The Ten papers included
in the systematic review and meta-analysis were retrospective
cohort studies published between 2003 and 2019. The aim of
this study is to evaluate the final results and postoperative
complications for two methods of fixation within the treatment
of fractures of Second and Third metacarpal bones: Fixation
with plate and screws Vs. percutaneous crossed K-wire.
Results: No specifications used for the pattern of fracture,
except for the fractures involving shaft of the second and the
third metacarpals. All fractures needed to be operated due to
deformity, angulations or rotation. No correlation could be
done between types of fracture (i.e., spiral, oblique) and
functional outcome. As all studies discussed the same indication
for intervention, and on the other side, a correlation between
type of fixation and functional outcome could be done.
Conclusion: No recommendation made that one fixation
technique is superior to another, and the complications associated
with ORIF or K-wire fixation in the management of
metacarpal fractures are distinct.