Forearm fracture plates: to remove or not to remove.
Eighty dynamic compression plates used to fix fractures of the radius and/or ulna were removed from 51 of 98 adult patients. Thirty-seven patients had plates removed electively. Fourteen patients had plates removed for clinical reasons. The average time from insertion to removal was 13.6 months, with a range from 4.4 to 36 months. Only one refracture occurred through the unhealed both bone forearm fracture site in a patient whose plate was taken out 6 months after surgery. One refracture also occurred through the proximal screw hole of a still implanted ulna plate that had been inserted 3 years earlier. Leaving a plate in for the remaining life of a young patient cannot be considered a benign decision considering the persisting chance for refracture and the potential complications from prolonged exposure to metal corrosion complexes and metal ions.
Labosky
D A
DA
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506.
Cermak
M B
MB
Waggy
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D003343:Corrosion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*