Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40178104›Full record

ArticleHand (New York, N.Y.)2026

Assessment of Union Rates in Ballistic Hand Fractures.

Cedar Slovacek, Kayla Prezelski, Andi Zhang, Alejandro Ruiz, Heidi Israel, Kevin Chen, Brian Mailey

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Hand (New York, N.Y.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Cedar SlovacekSaint Louis University School of Medicine, MO, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-8569-0463
Kayla PrezelskiSaint Louis University School of Medicine, MO, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-1267-9124
Andi ZhangSaint Louis University School of Medicine, MO, USA.
Alejandro RuizSaint Louis University School of Medicine, MO, USA.
Heidi IsraelSaint Louis University School of Medicine, MO, USA.
Kevin ChenSaint Louis University School of Medicine, MO, USA.
Brian MaileySaint Louis University School of Medicine, MO, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBallistic hand fractures (BHFs) are complex, multistructure injuries, unique from other hand fractures. We sought to determine BHF union rates and assess factors contributing to nonunion.

methodsMetacarpal or phalangeal BHFs sustained from 2016 to 2023 were identified from an institutional database. Charts and radiographs were reviewed for fracture characteristics and union by 90 days. Fractures without union by 90 days or without minimum 90-day follow-up were excluded. Comminuted fractures were categorized by severity: (1) complete bone loss (NC); (2) partial bony contact (PC); or (3) full (>80%) bony contact (FC). Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors associated with nonunion.

resultsNinety-seven BHFs were included. Most were comminuted (78.4%, N = 76). Greater fracture severity was associated with larger bony gap (FC: 2.2 vs PC: 10.2 vs NC: 24.0 mm;

conclusionsBallistic hand fractures treated with a single surgery demonstrate low union rates (48.5%). Two-stage reconstruction should be considered in all BHFs to improve union rates, particularly when severe comminution or large bony gaps are present. Following stabilization and soft tissue coverage, a second stage with conversion to internal fixation, debridement of devitalized bone, and secondary bone grafting should be performed.

Indexed as

Fracture HealingFractures, BoneFractures, UnunitedHand InjuriesMetacarpal BonesWounds, GunshotAdolescentAdultAgedFemaleFinger PhalangesFracture Fixation, InternalFractures, ComminutedHumansMaleMiddle Agedfracturehandopen fracturessurgerytrauma

Identifiers

PMID40178104
PMCPMC11969489

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.