title: [Comparison between locked intramedullary nailing and plate osteosynthesis in the management of adult forearm fractures].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the results of two different surgical methods for the treatment of adult diaphyseal fractures of both forearm bones.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two adult patients with forearm fractures were retrospectively evaluated. Of these, 22 patients (7 women, 15 men; mean age 32 years; range 18 to 69 years) underwent open reduction and plate-screw fixation, and 20 patients (6 women, 14 men; mean age 33 years; range 18 to 70 years) underwent closed reduction and locked intramedullary nail fixation. The fractures were classified according to the AO/OTA system. The patients were assessed using the Grace-Eversmann criteria and the DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) questionnaire. The mean follow-up was 30 months (range 12 to 45) with plate-screw fixation, and 23 months (range 12 to 34) with intramedullary nailing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean operation time was 65 minutes (range 40 to 97 min) with plate-screw fixation, and 61 minutes (range 35 to 90 min) with intramedullary nailing (p>0.05). The mean time to union was significantly shorter with intramedullary nailing (10 weeks vs. 14 weeks; p<0.05). According to the Grace-Eversmann criteria, the results were excellent or good in 18 patients (81.8%) and acceptable in four patients (18.2%) treated with plate-screw fixation, compared to 18 patients (90%) and two patients (10%), respectively, treated with intramedullary nailing. The mean DASH scores were 15 (range 4 to 30) and 13 (range 3 to 25), respectively. The two groups did not differ significantly with respect to functional results and DASH scores (p>0.05). Postoperative complications were seen in three patients (13.6%) and two patients (10%) with plate-screw fixation and intramedullary nailing, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The two fixation methods yield similar results in terms of functional healing and patient satisfaction in the management of adult forearm fractures.
authors.affiliation: Taksim Eğitim ve Araştirma Hastanesi Ortpoedi ve Travmatoloji Kliniği), Istanbul, Turkey. ufukozkaya2004@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ozkaya
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiliç
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ozdoğan
authors.forename: Kubilay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beng
authors.forename: Yavuz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kabukçuoğlu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult