title: The applicability of the Mayo Clinic congruent radial head plate: cadaveric study.
abstract: In the last few years, several anatomical plates have been introduced to improve the results of ORIF in Mason Type II and III radial head fractures. However, no study analyzed whether currently used plates match adequately the profile of the proximal radius in the "safe zone". In the present investigation, we evaluate the congruence between the proximal radius and a currently used plate. Forty-four radial dried cadaveric bones were analyzed. The plate congruence was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The congruence of the tested plate with the proximal radius was good in 27.3% of specimens, while it was moderate or poor in the remaining 43.2% and 29.5% of cases, respectively. The profile of the proximal radius in the "safe zone" shows substantial morphologic variations which should be taken into account to avoid a malunion of the proximal radius. A preoperative radiograph of the contralateral uninjured radius may be helpful in order to select the most appropriate plate profile in comminuted radial head and neck fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Rome La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 3, 00185 Roma, Italy. giannicola.g@tin.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannicola
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Manauzzi
authors.forename: Federico M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Sacchetti
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bullitta
authors.forename: Annarita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vestri
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cinotti
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011884:Radius / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery