Practice Variation in Proximal Phalangeal Fracture Management

Abstract

Background: Practice variation may indicate a lack of evidence to guide management. This study investigated the preferences of operative management of proximal phalangeal fractures in Australian hand surgeons, as well as factors that may account for variations. Methods: An electronic survey of all members of the Australian Hand Surgery Society was performed. Surgeon demographic factors and surgical preferences were investigated. Three common proximal phalangeal fracture configurations were presented as cases. Potential predictors of management were explored. Results: A total of 51.9% of active hand surgeons responded. Orthopaedic surgeons were more comfortable with lateral plating and intramedullary screw fixation, while plastic surgeons preferred Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation. Junior surgeons were more likely to believe that intramedullary screw fixation produced superior results. 53.0% of surgeons in a tertiary environment believed that adequate hand therapy was key (compared to 17.0% of clinicians in a secondary hospital). Conclusions: There is significant practice variation and a lack of standards in the management of a common clinical problem, as well as a lack of consensus on the evidence underpinning common fixation methods. Further research is needed. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)