Complications associated with volar locking plate fixation for distal radius fractures in 1955 cases: A multicentre retrospective study

Cause of Extensor Pollicis Longus Ruptures After Distal Radius Fracture Fixation Using a Volar Plate

BACKGROUND

This research sought to analyze a cohort of patients with extensor pollicis longus (EPL) ruptures after volar locked plating of a distal radius fracture (DRF) to characterize the incidence of ruptures that are unlikely to be related to dorsal screw prominence.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, observational, descriptive cohort study of adults with operative fixation of a closed DRF and an EPL rupture between 2002 and 2022. Eighteen patients with operative fixation using a volar plate of a closed DRF had an EPL rupture. The cohort consisted of 66% women with an average age of 57.5 years. Median follow-up was 14.5 months.

RESULTS

The incidence of EPL rupture was 0.4% (18/4768). The average time from DRF and DRF fixation to EPL rupture was 3.7 and 3.4 months, respectively. Based on the operative record, in 2 of the 18 patients (11%), the rupture was directly attributable to prominent hardware; however, in 4 of the 18 patients (22%), the rupture was not related to prominent hardware, and the cause was indeterminate in 12 patients (67%). Radiologic analysis of those in the indeterminate group demonstrated that 5 of the 12 patients had screws that had a high probability of being prominent.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of EPL rupture after volar plating of DRF is between 0% and 1% and usually occurs about 3 months after fixation. Approximately 50% of EPL ruptures are attributable to prominent dorsal screws. Although screw prominence is an important cause of EPL rupture, it is not the sole cause of rupture.

The Outcome of under 10 mm Single-Incision Surgery Using a Non-Specialized Volar Plate in Distal Radius Fractures: A Retrospective Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

The distal radius fracture is a common orthopedic injury. We aimed to share the surgical steps and investigate the outcomes of treating distal radius fractures with wounds ≤10 mm using a globally accessible locking plate.

METHODS

We collected 46 patients who underwent surgery via a <10 mm wound, with a control group consisting of 40 patients who underwent conventional procedures. Both groups were treated using the same volar plate. We compared the radiographic reduction quality, including volar tilt angle, radial inclination angle, and ulna variance. Additionally, clinical outcomes, such as pain assessed using VAS, Q-Dash score, and PRWE, were evaluated. Patient satisfaction with the wound was also analyzed. The follow-up time for the clinical outcomes was 24.2 ± 13.47 months.

RESULTS

There were no differences in the quality of reduction in parameters such as the volar tilt angle (p = 0.762), radial inclination angle (p = 0.986), and ulna variance (p = 0.166). Both groups exhibited comparable results in pain VAS (p = 0.684), Q-Dash score (p = 0.08), and PRWE (p = 0.134). The ≤10 mm incision group displayed an increase in satisfaction with the wound (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Treating distal radius fractures with a <10 mm wound using a non-specialized locking plate is a feasible approach. It does not compromise the quality of fracture reduction or functional scores and improves wound satisfaction.

Ulnar-Sided Sclerosis of the Lunate Does Not Affect Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Volar Locking Plate Fixation for Distal Radius Fracture

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Radial shortening after distal radius fracture causes ulnar impaction, and a mild reduction loss of radial height occurs even after volar locking plate fixation. This study aimed to determine whether preoperative ulnar-sided sclerosis affects clinical outcomes after volar locking plate fixation for distal radius fracture (DRF).

METHOD

Among 369 patients who underwent volar locking plate fixation for DRF, 18 with preoperative ulnar-sided sclerosis of the lunate were included in Group A and compared to a 1:4 age-, sex- and fracture-pattern-matched cohort without sclerosis (72 patients, Group B). The visual analog scale (VAS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and grip strength were assessed as clinical outcomes. Ulnar variance (UV), radial inclination, radial length, and volar tilt at two weeks after surgery and the final follow-up were measured as radiographic outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean VAS and DASH scores and grip strength did not differ between the two groups. The mean UV at two weeks after surgery and the last follow-up was significantly higher in Group A. The mean changes in UV were +0.62 mm in Group A and +0.48 mm in Group B. There were no significant intergroup differences. Neither UV nor its changes showed any association with DASH and VAS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative ulnar-sided sclerosis of the lunate did not affect clinical outcomes after volar locking plate fixation, even if UV increased postoperatively.

Extensor Tendon Injury After Volar Locking Plating for Distal Radius Fractures: A Systematic Review

Distal radius fractures are common orthopedic injuries. Treatment has varied historically, but volar locking plating currently predominates. Although flexor tendon injury is a well-studied complication of this operation, extensor tendon injury is less well studied. The purpose of this review is to search the literature and present the epidemiology, presentation, and treatment of this complication. The Cochrane, EMBASE, PubMed, and SCOPUS databases were searched for the terms "volar" + "radius" + ("plate" OR "plating") + "extensor." Ninety final studies were included for analysis in this review. The incidence of extensor tendon rupture varies from 0% to 12.5%; the extensor pollicis longus is most commonly ruptured. The presentation and management of extensor tendon injury after injury, intraoperatively, and postoperatively are summarized. Radiographic views are described to detect screw prominence and minimize intraoperative risk. Extensor tendon injury after volar locking plate for distal radius fractures is an uncommon injury with several risk factors including dorsal screw prominence and fracture fragments. Removal of hardware and tendon transfers or reconstruction may be necessary to prevent loss of extensor mechanism.

Are external fixators as effective as volar plates in multi-fragmented radius distal intra-articular fractures (AO type C)?

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to compare the radiological and clinical results of VP and EF applications in multi-fragmented radius distal intra-articular fractures (AO type C) in our clinic.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 80 patients who underwent surgery for radius distal fracture (AO type C) between 2014 and 2020. Group 1 comprised patients who were treated with VP, and Group 2 comprised patients who were treated with EF. Radiological evaluation was performed by measuring radial inclination, radial length, volar tilt, intra-articular step-off and ulnar variance by two-way radiography. The clinical findings were evaluated using the Gartland and Werley scoring system, and complications were noted.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, side, fracture subtypes and follow-up time (p > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in radiological parameters (based on cut-off values) (p > 0.05). The clinical evaluation did not reveal a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.613).

CONCLUSION

EF is as successful as VP in providing radiological cut-off values. EF treatment can be used as an effective and safe alternative method for multi-fragmented radius distal intra-articular fractures.

Etiology of trauma-related acute compartment syndrome of the forearm: a systematic review

Objectives

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) can be caused by multiple causes that affect people of different ages. It is considered an orthopedic emergency condition that requires immediate diagnosis and surgical intervention to avoid devastating complications and irreversible damages. This systematic review aimed to present the etiology of trauma-related forearm ACS.

Methods

A systematic review was performed on four different databases: Embase, Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Cochrane Database of systematic review register databases via Ovid, with no restriction on dates (last date was June 30, 2021). It included all the studies containing data about the etiology of trauma-related forearm ACS.

Results

A total of 4893 articles were retrieved: 122 met the inclusion criteria, 39 were excluded, 25 were out of scope and 14 had insufficient details. Hence, this review constituted 83 articles and 684 patients. The etiology of ACS causing forearm ACS was classified into three groups: fracture-related, soft tissue injury-related and vascular injury-related. The fracture-related group was the most common group (65.4%), followed by soft tissue injury (30.7%), then vascular injuries (3.9%). Furthermore, supracondylar humerus fractures were the most common cause of fractures related to forearm ACS. Blunt traumas were the most common cause of soft tissue injuries-related forearm ACS, and brachial artery injuries were the most common cause of vascular-related forearm ACS.

Conclusion

Frequent assessment of patients with the most prevalent etiologies of forearm ACS is recommended for early detection of forearm ACS and to save limbs.

Comparison of Intramedullary Nail and Volar Locking Plate for Distal Radius Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

Operative intervention with a volar locking plate (VLP) is currently the gold standard for the fixation of distal radius fractures. Intramedullary nailing (IMN) of the distal radius is a novel technique that aims to reduce soft tissue complications due to a smaller surgical incision while maintaining the benefits of a rigid fracture fixation. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the functional, clinical, and radiological outcomes of all published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing patient outcomes of VLP and IMN in distal radius fracture fixation. Three databases (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) were searched in July 2021. The inclusion criteria were RCTs comparing fixation of extra-articular or simple intra-articular distal radius with VLP or IMN and availability of full text in English. Children under the age of 18 were excluded. Seven trials with a total of 398 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that there were improved short-term clinical outcomes favouring IMN, although there were no significant differences in terms of functional, radiological, and long-term clinical outcomes. Analysis showed that outcomes of IMN are comparable with VLP for fixation of extra-articular and simple intra-articular distal radius fractures. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. We recommend that further high-quality trials are required to establish the role of IMN in distal radius fixation.

Complications of Volar Plating of Distal Radial Fractures: A Review

Although the overall complication rate of volar plating approaches 15%, less than 5% require reoperation. Certain factors involving the patient, the fracture, and/or the surgeon may affect the overall complication risk. Patient factors, including body mass index greater than 35 and diabetes mellitus, may increase complication risk with volar plating, but older patient age does not seem to significantly alter risk.

Regional anesthesia and acute compartment syndrome: principles for practice

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a potentially reversible orthopedic surgical emergency leading to tissue ischemia and ultimately cell death. Diagnosis of ACS can be challenging, as neither clinical symptoms nor signs are sufficiently sensitive. The cardinal symptom associated with ACS is pain reported in excess of what would otherwise be expected for the underlying injury, and not reasonably managed by opioid-based analgesia. Regional anesthesia (RA) techniques are traditionally discouraged in clinical settings where the development of ACS is a concern as sensory and motor nerve blockade may mask symptoms and signs of ACS. This Education article addresses the most common trauma and elective orthopedic surgical procedures in adults with a view towards assessing their respective risk of ACS and offering suggestions regarding the suitability of RA for each type of surgery.