title: Classification and treatment of distal radius fractures: a survey among orthopaedic trauma surgeons and residents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Classification, the definition of an acceptable reduction and indications for surgery in distal radius fracture management are still subject of debate. The purpose of this study was to characterise current distal radius fracture management in Europe.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the European Congress of Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ECTES) 2015 a 20-question multiple-choice survey was conducted among the attending surgeons and residents of the hand and wrist session. Consensus was defined as more than 50 % identical answers (moderate consensus 50-75 % and high consensus more than 75 %).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 46 surgeons and residents participated in the survey. High consensus was found among both surgeons and residents for defining the AO/OTA classification as the preferred classification system. For the definition of an acceptable reduction, a moderate to high consensus could be determined. Overall, high consensus was found for non-operative treatment instead of operative treatment in dislocated extra- and intra-articular distal radius fractures with an acceptable closed reduction, regardless of age. We found high (surgeons) and moderate (residents) consensus on the statement that an intra-articular gap or step-off ≥2 mm, in patients younger than 65 years, is an absolute indication for ORIF. The same applied for ORIF in dislocated fractures without an acceptable closed reduction in patients younger than 75 years of age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current distal radius fracture management in Europe is characterised by a moderate to high consensus on the majority of aspects of fracture management.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Unit, Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.a.mulders@amc.nl.
authors.forename: M A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mulders
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rikli
authors.affiliation: Trauma Unit, Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Goslings
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Maasstad Hospital, Maasstadweg 21, 3079 DZ, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N W L
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Schep
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D032921:Consensus; D005060:Europe; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000145:classification* / Q000601:surgery; D000072161:Orthopedic Surgeons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009985:Orthopedics; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000145:classification* / Q000601:surgery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Classification; Dislocated; Distal radius; Fracture; Survey; Treatment