title: [Plate osteosynthesis of distal radius fractures--incidence, indications and results].
abstract: From 1.1.95 to 31.12.98 133 distal radius fractures were treated surgically. Internal fixation with a plate was carried out in 34 fractures (25%). 17 plates were placed dorsally, 16 plates on the volar aspect and one fracture was treated with a combined dorsal and volar plate. 29/34 fractures (87%) were reviewed 1 year after surgery. All fractures healed without further surgery. No infection occurred. 15 implants were removed. 23/29 (79%) internal fixations showed a good or excellent result, 6/29 (21%) a fair result. These 6 patients had in common: an intraarticular fracture (5), a volar tilt (5), a postoperative algodystrophy (5) or a secondary dorsal displacement (2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One fourth of all surgically treated distal radius fractures underwent plate osteosynthesis with about 80% of good or excellent results. Dorsal plate osteosynthesis showed better results than volar plate fixation. An additional, temporary external fixator in fractures with radial shortening proved a reliable help intraoperatively. Secondary displacement in these fractures did not occur.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Abteilung, Spital Frutigen.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*