title: Complications following dorsal versus volar plate fixation of distal radius fracture: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A meta-analysis to compare complication rates following volar or dorsal surgical fixation of distal radius fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  A detailed search of PubMed®/MEDLINE® was undertaken to identify randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials published before 25 August 2012 that compared volar with dorsal fixation, in patients with distal radius fracture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A quantitative meta-analysis of 12 trials (952 patients) was performed. There was no between-group difference in the overall rate of complications. Volar fixation was associated with significant increases in neuropathy (relative risk [RR] 2.19; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.27, 3.76) and carpal tunnel syndrome (RR 4.56; 95% CI 1.02, 20.44), and a reduction in tendon irritation, compared with the dorsal approach (RR 0.38; 95% CI 0.17, 0.86).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dorsal fixation offers a lower risk of neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome than the volar approach, but a higher risk of tendon irritation. Patients with a distal radius fracture can expect similar outcomes after volar or dorsal surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Tu-Bao
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Jia-Bi
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Fan-Jing
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Kong
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D053401:Palmar Plate / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D017594:Publication Bias; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Complication; distal radius fracture; dorsal; fixation; meta-analysis; volar