title: Maintenance of reduction of pediatric distal radius fractures with a sugar-tong splint.
abstract: Distal radius fractures are common injuries in children. Displaced fractures have traditionally been treated with closed reduction followed by immobilization in a long arm cast. Because of variable success rates with this technique, a trend in the literature is toward operative fixation of these fractures. A popular alternative practice involves temporary immobilization in a sugar-tong splint, though we are unaware of any studies demonstrating the efficacy of this technique in children. We present our experience in treating these injuries initially with a sugar-tong splint and then with a short arm cast. We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 53 patients (age range, 2-12 years) treated with closed reduction and a sugar-tong splint followed by conversion to a short arm cast after 2 to 3 weeks. In 51 (96%) of 53 fractures, reduction was maintained without more aggressive intervention. The sugar-tong splint is effective in maintaining reductions in pediatric distal radius fractures and has none of the added risks associated with current alternative methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Saint Vincents Catholic Medical Centers, Brooklyn, New York, USA. adenesjr@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Alec E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Denes
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goding
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tamborlane
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D001458:Bandages; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013165:Splints