Complications following palmar plate fixation of distal radius fractures: a review of 665 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Palmar plate fixation of unstable distal radial fractures is quickly becoming the standard treatment for this common injury. The literature reporting complications consists mainly of isolated case reports or small case series. METHOD: Between February 2004 and December 2009 palmar plate fixation was performed in 665 cases. The overall complication rate was 11.3 % (75 complications). Revision surgery was necessary in 10 % (65 procedures). RESULTS: The reasons for revision surgery were: postoperative median nerve compression (22 patients) and secondary dislocation (9 patients). An ulna shortening osteotomy for ulnar impingement syndrome was necessary in eight cases. Intraarticular screw placement occurred in three patients. There were two flexor pollicis longus, one finger flexor and three extensor pollicis longus tendon ruptures. Posttraumatic compartment syndrome of the forearm requiring fasciotomy occurred in four cases. There were three cases of infection. Nonoperative treatment was necessary in nine patients, who developed a complex regional pain syndrome. Hardware failure occurred in three cases. Hardware removal was performed in 232 (34 %) cases. CONCLUSION: Palmar plate fixation of distal radius fractures is a safe and effective procedure. Nevertheless, complications necessitating a second intervention are relatively common. A proportion of these complications is iatrogenic and can be avoided by improving the surgical technique.

Preventing recurrence of radioulnar synostosis with pedicled adipofascial flaps.

The surgical treatment of post-traumatic radioulnar synostosis is difficult. Recurrence after resection alone is a concern with poor long-term maintenance of forearm rotation. We report on the use of pedicled adipofascial flaps to prevent recurrence and facilitate maintenance of movement in six adult patients with radioulnar synostosis. Five involved the proximal radioulnar joint and one the distal radioulnar joint. In four the flap was based on the radial artery and in two on the posterior interosseous artery. Mean intraoperative supination was 78° and pronation was 76°. Mean follow up was 32 months. At follow-up, mean supination was 71° and pronation was 70°. No patient had radiological recurrence of synostosis. The only complication was a transient posterior interosseous nerve palsy. Pedicled adipofascial flaps are a safe addition to resection alone which may prevent recurrence and maintain the range of forearm rotation achieved at operation.

What benefits does ultrasound-guided axillary block for brachial plexus anaesthesia offer over the conventional blind approach in hand surgery?

Axillary block for brachial plexus anaesthesia is a popular anaesthetic technique for hand surgery with different approaches. We investigated the efficacy of the blind and ultrasound-guided approaches administered by a hand surgeon. A total of 141 patients were prospectively randomized to Group A without and Group B with ultrasound guidance. The principal variables evaluated were number of failures, duration of surgery, time to onset of anaesthesia, volume of anaesthetic injected, and complications. The success rate and the mean time to onset of anaesthesia were significantly better under ultrasound guidance. The duration of surgery and the rate of complications did not differ. Ultrasound-guided plexus anaesthesia is markedly more effective than the blind technique when performed by a hand surgeon.

Intramedullary splinting or conservative treatment for displaced fractures of the little finger metacarpal neck? A prospective study.

Forty patients with a 30° to 70° palmar displacement of a little finger metacarpal neck fracture were treated either with closed reduction and intramedullary splinting, or conservatively without reduction. Functional mobilization was started after 1 week in both groups. A radiological and clinical assessment of flexion and extension of the small finger metacarpophalangeal joint was done at 2 and 6 weeks, and at 3, 6 and 12 months. In addition patient satisfaction and grip strength were recorded at 12 months. No statistically significant differences in range of motion and grip strength were found between the two groups. Patient satisfaction and the appearance were superior in the surgically treated group. We conclude that intramedullary splinting for displaced fractures of the little finger metacarpal neck offers an aesthetic, but not a functional advantage.

[Epidemiology, treatment and results of proximal humeral fractures: experience of a district hospital in a sports- and tourism area]. / Epidemiologie, Behandlung und Ergebnisse von proximalen Humerusfrakturen. Erfahrungen eines Regionalspitals in einer Sport- und Tourismusregion.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The epidemiology, therapy and results of proximal humeral fractures in a touristic area were investigated and our concept for treatment presented. METHODS: Between 1.1.1999 and 30.04.2000 adult patients with proximal humeral fractures were included, the fractures classified (Codman/Neer and AO) and results determined after an average of 9 months. RESULTS: 62 adults were treated. 59 (95 %) had an accident during leisure time, mainly skiing accidents (52 %). 7 patients (11 %) had an associated luxation of the shoulder. 51 (82 %) were treated conservatively, 11 (18 %) operatively with a T-plate. The conservatively treated had to wear a Gilchrist-cast for an average of 29 (operatively 13) days, started passive movement after 20 (operatively 9) days, and active movement after 44 (operatively 45) days. The 32 employed (52 %) were not able to work for 46 days on average. Overall, 52 patients (84 %) were totally or mostly satisfied with the result. 5 among the 13 patients (38.5 %) with 3- or 4-part-fractures, and 4 among the 11 operated patients (36.4 %) were not satisfied with the result. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal humeral fractures are common skiing injuries, they need a long and intensive treatment and are economically expensive. The Codman/Neer and AO-classifications are equal. The results for simple, mainly conservatively treated fractures (Codman/Neer 1, 2A, 2-part) are good. Complex, mainly operatively treated fractures (Codman/Neer 3- and 4-part) have a much poorer prognosis. Diagnostically the computed tomography with 3-D-reconstruction is recommended for a better representation of the fracture and a safer choice of the therapeutical strategy.