[Vives pinning in L of the fractures of the fifth metacarpal neck--24 cases].

Fractures of the neck of the fifth metacarpal (boxer's fracture) represent 20% of all fractures of the hand and are frequently observed in male patients, involve the dominant hand, and very often follow a direct blow or punch. We present a retrospective study of 24 fractures of the neck of the fifth metacarpal, treated by "L" pinning as described by Vives, between January 2004 and January 2008. All the patients were men with a mean age of 30 years (range 18 to 50). The mechanism of injury was dominated by fist strike (18 cases). Surgical treatment was performed in cases of fractures with a mean palmar tilt of 37 degrees (range 30 degrees to 60 degrees ). Pinning with a Vives procedure consisted of inserting two pins in an "L" configuration; the first a centromedullary pin measuring 20mm, the second a transverse one through the fourth metacarpal bone controlling rotation and measuring 12mm. Surgery was performed under loco-regional anaesthesia in 75% of cases, and under general anaesthesia in 25% of cases. No immobilization was recommended. Physiotherapy was performed in all cases. Fracture consolidation was obtained in all cases, and the pins were removed in the 6th week following surgery. This technique of osteosynthesis allowed us to obtain good clinical and radiological results according to the criteria of Frere with a mean follow up of 24 months.