Safety of the limited open technique of bone-transfixing threaded-pin placement for external fixation of distal radial fractures: a cadaver study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the safety of threaded-pin placement for fixation of distal radial fractures using a limited open approach.


METHODS
A cadaver study.


METHODS
Four-millimetre Schanz threaded pins were inserted into the radius and 3-mm screw pins into the second metacarpal of 20 cadaver arms. Each threaded pin was inserted in the dorsoradial oblique plane through a limited open, 5- to 10-mm longitudinal incision. Open exploration of the threaded-pin sites was then carried out.


METHODS
Injury to nerves, muscles and tendons and the proximity of these structures to the threaded pins.


RESULTS
There were no injuries to the extensor tendons, superficial radial or lateral antebrachial nerves of the forearm, or to the soft tissues overlying the metacarpal. The lateral antebrachial nerve was the closest nerve to the radial pins and a branch of the superficial radial nerve was closest to the metacarpal pins. The superficial radial nerve was not close to the radial pins.


CONCLUSIONS
Limited open threaded-pin fixation of distal radial fractures in the dorsolateral plane appears to be safe.
Hassan
D M
DM
Division of Orthopedics, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
Johnston
G H
GH
D001858:Bone Nails; D001863:Bone Screws; D002102:Cadaver; D005542:Forearm / Q000294:innervation; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000601:surgery; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000293:injuries; D011884:Radius / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D012449:Safety; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000209:etiology