title: [Vitamin C and prevention of reflex sympathetic dystrophy following surgical management of distal radius fractures].
abstract: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a major complication following surgical treatment of fractures of the distal radius. Its pathogenesis is related to lipid peroxidation which damages vascular endothelial cells, increasing capillary permeability. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant. The authors have made a comparative study of two groups of patients with isolated closed displaced fractures of the distal radius, which were reduced and stabilized by intrafocal pinning. Group 1 included 100 patients who were treated from 1995 until 1998 and who did not receive any vitamin C supplementation; group 2 included 95 patients who were treated from 1999 to 2002 and who received daily administration of one gram vitamin C orally during 45 days, starting on the day of fracture. The incidence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy was five time times lower in group 2 (2.1% versus 10%). This is in line with previous observations and lends credit to the value of vitamin C administration as a prophylactic measure to prevent the occurrence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in patients who undergo surgical treatment of a displaced fracture of the distal radius.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique, Centre Hospitalier, Rue Marcellin Berthelot, 02 000 Laon, France.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cazeneuve
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Leborgne
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kermad
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hassan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001205:Ascorbic Acid