Interobserver variability in the treatment of little finger metacarpal neck fractures

Authors

Rick Tosti, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Asif M. Ilyas, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Jos J. Mellema, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Thierry G. Guitton, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
David Ring, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
A. B. Spoor

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

9-1-2014

Journal

Journal of Hand Surgery

Volume

39

Issue

9

DOI

10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.05.023

Keywords

Boxer fracture; interobserver agreement; little finger; metacarpal; variability

Abstract

Copyright © 2014 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved. Purpose: To address the null hypothesis that surgeons shown radiographs of little finger metacarpal neck fractures with measured fracture angulation would recommend surgery as often as surgeons shown unmarked radiographs. Methods: Members of the Science of Variation Group, an international collaboration of fully trained orthopedic and trauma surgeons, were asked to review 20 little finger metacarpal neck fracture cases, which included a vignette and 3 high-quality radiographs. Members were then randomized to review radiographs with or without measured fracture angulation on the lateral view and select operative or nonoperative management. Results: Surgeons shown radiographs with measured angulation were more likely to recommend surgery, and there was less variability among these surgeons, particularly for fractures with less angular deformity. Conclusions: Measured fracture angulation has a small but significant influence on treatment recommendations for little finger metacarpal neck fractures.

APA Citation

Tosti, R., Ilyas, A., Mellema, J., Guitton, T., Ring, D., & Spoor, A. (2014). Interobserver variability in the treatment of little finger metacarpal neck fractures. Journal of Hand Surgery, 39 (9). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.05.023