RESULTS: The operative time in the EF group was 77 minutes, compared with 88 minutes in the VLP group. At 52 weeks, patients with VLPs had a higher Mayo wrist score (90 vs 85), better supination (89° vs 85°), and less radial shortening (+1.4 mm vs +2.2 mm). There were more patients with pain over the ulnar styloid in the EF group (16 vs 6 patients). For AO type C2/C3, the patients with VLPs had better supination (90° vs 76°) and less ulnar shortening (+1.1 mm vs +2.8 mm). The complication rate was 30% in the EF group, compared with 29% in the VLP group. Eight (15%) plates were removed due to complications. The QuickDASH score was not significantly different between the groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Although we did not find a significant difference between the groups for the QuickDASH score, we believe that our results support the use of VLPs for the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures. A serious concern is that some patients will have to have their plates removed; therefore, improving the surgical technique is important.
TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic I.
PMID: 23890493 [PubMed - in process]
Read more... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23890493?dopt=Abstract
