title: Possibility of Fixation of a Distal Radius Fracture With a Volar Locking Plate Through a 10 mm Approach.
abstract: The management of distal radius fractures has dramatically improved due to the development of a locking plate system. In addition, mini-invasive surgery has been performed in a lot of surgical fields in recent years. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possibility of fixation of a distal radius fracture with a volar locking plate through a 10 mm approach. Eighteen patients with distal radius fracture (mean age: 66 y; range, 28 to 88 y; 8 males and 10 females) were operated on using a volar locking plate. The incision for plating was always 10 mm long. The clinical, cosmetic, and radiologic outcomes were investigated. At 3 months' follow-up, the range of motion of the wrist joint was 67.5 degrees in flexion, 65.6 degrees in extension, 88.3 degrees in pronation, and 88.3 degrees in supination. The % grip strength compared to the healthy side ranged from 35% to 100%. The VAS, Q-DASH, and modified Mayo scores were 0.7, 8.5, and 93.3, respectively (excellent in all 18 patients). Bone union was achieved on plain x-ray radiography and cosmetic problems were satisfied in all patients. Our results suggest that it is possible to achieve fixation of a distal radius fracture with a volar locking plate through a 10 mm approach. However, its applicability to surgery must be carefully examined. If any difficulties in plate installation or approach occur during this intervention, it will be necessary to consider switching to a conventional approach. We believe that surgeons must not adhere to a mini-invasive approach.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Orthopaedics, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan †Hand Center, Saint-Grégoire Private Hospital Center, Saint-Grégoire ‡Hand Surgery Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.
authors.forename: Kiyohito
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zemirline
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugiyama
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Obata
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liverneaux
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaneko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053401:Palmar Plate / Q000601:surgery*; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome