SELF-TAPPING VERSUS STANDARD TAPPED TITANIUM SCREW FIXATION IN THE UPPER EXTREMITY

Most screws used in fracture fixation necessitate a separate step for tapping of the screw hole. Titanium screw systems have been developed in which the screws can be inserted directly after a drill hole is mad e. These self-tapping screws thereby eliminate an operative step. A re trospective study was conducted that evaluated all wrist and hand proc edures performed between January 1992 and December 1994 by 1 surgeon u sing screw fixation. The results of 39 cases treated with standard tap ped titanium screws were compared with 28 cases treated with self-tapp ing titanium screws. Nearly identical union and complication rates wer e obtained in each group. Comparable results can be obtained with self -tapping screw fixation, which limits the number of instruments needed , eliminates an operative step, and thereby may diminish operative ris k and shorten operative time. Copyright (C) 1998 by the American Socie ty for Surgery of the Hand.