Technical points of Ilizarov external mini-fixator for the treatment of phalanx fractures

The Ilizarov external mini-fixator (IEMF) has become an effective tool for the treatment of acute and chronic hand and foot injuries and deformity correction due to its advantages of easy fixation, good holding power, and artful appearance. However, there are relatively few clinical reports on this technique. Materials and methods From June 2019 to March 2021, we preformed IEMF on 113 patients with open phalanx fractures as emergency surgery, and all patients had 3–6 months follow-up. Results All fractures achieved clinical healing. Among them, pin site infection occurred in 8 fractures (7.07 %), arthrolysis occurred after 6 fractures (5.3 %), and 4° rotation malunion occurred in 3 cases (2.65 %).