BIODEGRADABLE PINS VERSUS KIRSCHNER WIRES IN HAND SURGERY

We compared biodegradable pins with standard Kirschner wires in the fi xation of fractures, arthrodeses and osteotomies in the hand in a pros pective, randomized study. Eleven patients mere allocated to the biode gradable pin group and 12 to the Kirschner wire group, Age, gender, op erative procedure and postoperative treatment did not differ in the tw o groups. All patients were evaluated after 6 months. No differences i n time to union or complication rates were found, but the number of ad ditional operative procedures in the Kirschner wire group significantl y exceeded the number needed in the biodegradable pin group.