title: Removal of forearm plates. A review of the complications.
abstract: We studied 55 patients who had undergone elective removal of forearm plates between 1980 and 1986; 44 plates were removed from the radius and 37 from the ulna. Before removal only 20 patients (36%) had definite symptoms attributable to the plates, but 44 patients (80%) were advised by the surgeon to have the plates removed. In 22 cases (40%) the operation was followed by a significant complication. The complication rate was higher with junior surgeons and was permanent in 50% of cases. It is recommended that forearm plates should be removed only if they are causing significant symptoms, and that the operation should not be delegated to the most junior surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, England.
authors.forename: V G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Langkamer
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ackroyd
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology