Posttraumatic malunion with combination of angular, rotational, and shortening deformity of the proximal phalanx may cause scissoring of a finger and impairment of hand function. Cosmetic disfigurement and severe dysfunction of fingers require surgical correction, most often via open corrective osteotomies and rigid fixation with a plate or screws. However, such an approach requires a longer incision, inevitably results in a scar, and has a higher potential for extensor tendon adhesion. Also, abruption of the periosteum and plating of the phalange requires longer bone healing time. Thus, we devised a technique of minimally invasive correction of phalangeal malunion using an external mini-fixator. We presented representative three cases of malunited fractures of phalanges treated with the Ilizarov mini-fixator in adolescence and review reports of similar cases. The usage of Ilizarov mini-fixator provided excellent outcomes for posttraumatic malunion of three fingers.
Keywords: corrective osteotomy; external fixator; finger; malunion; proximal phalange.