Dorsal Plating for Specific Fracture Pattern of the Distal Radius.

Background: Volar locking plates have provided the capability to repair both simple and complex fractures. However, complications related to the inability to fix or to maintain the fixation of some fracture patterns have been reported with volar locking plates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of dorsal plating treatment for specific pattern of fractures. Methods: Patients with distal radius fractures were retrospectively evaluated. Inclusion criteria for this study were those related to the patient and treatment (adult patients, internal fixation with dorsal plating, a minimum follow-up of 12 months), and those related to the fracture pattern (displaced central articular fragment, volar distal fracture line not enough to allow volar fixation, displaced dorsal-ulnar fragment, dorsal partial fractures, combination of these patterns). Clinical outcome information including active range of motion, radiographs, PRWE and DASH questionnaires were collected. Complications were recorded. Results: During a 6-year period, 679 distal radius fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Of these, 27 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patients were examined at a median of 34 months' follow-up. All but pronation, supination, and radial deviation had a statistically significant difference compared to the opposite side. The median score on the DASH was 4.5 and 3.2 on the PRWE. No patient suffered loss of reduction during the follow-up nor were tendon ruptures recorded. Conclusions: Although most of the distal radius fractures can be treated with volar locking plates, almost 5% of them present specific patterns that are amenable to treatment with dorsal fixation, without postoperative loss of reduction. These specific patterns are: (1) displaced central articular fragment, (2) volar distal fracture with less of 1cm distance from the distal volar edge of the radius, (3) displaced dorso-ulnar fragment, (4) Barton's fracture, (5) combination of these patterns.

Osteosíntesis en fracturas oblicuas o espiroideas largas de metacarpianos: comparación entre tratamiento con tornillos interfragmentarios solos y placa con tornillos / Osteosynthesis in long oblique and spiral metacarpal fractures: Comparison between interfragmentary screws and plating

Objetivos: Comparar el tratamiento de pacientes con fracturas oblicuas o espiroideas largas de metacarpianos, mediante reducción abierta y fijación interna con tornillos interfragmentarios solos o placas y tornillos. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo comparativo entre 2 grupos de pacientes: uno con 24 pacientes tratados con tornillos interfragmentarios solos y otro con 17 pacientes tratados mediante osteosíntesis con placas y tornillos. En ambos, se utilizó un abordaje longitudinal dorsal, y se les indicó inmovilización posoperatoria con valva de yeso y rehabilitación con el mismo equipo de terapistas ocupacionales. Tras un seguimiento mínimo de 12 meses, se evaluaron los resultados con el puntaje DASH, la movilidad activa total, la distancia pulpejo-palma y la fuerza con dinamometría comparativa. Se consideró significativo un valor p <0,05. Resultados: El tiempo promedio de seguimiento fue de 24.5 meses (rango 12-43).No se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el puntaje DASH, la movilidad activa total, la distancia pulpejo-palma y la fuerza. El tiempo hasta el reingreso laboral fue inferior en el grupo tratado con placas y tornillos, aunque se registraron dos casos de retiro de material, sumado, en uno de ellos, a adherencia tendinosa (tenólisis). Conclusiones: El tratamiento de pacientes con fracturas oblicuas o espiroideas largas de metacarpianos, mediante tornillos interfragmentarios solos o placas y tornillos logró resultados similares, se destaca el menor tiempo hasta la reincorporación laboral y la mayor cantidad de complicaciones con placas y tornillos. Nivel de Evidencia: III

Objective: To compare open reduction and internal fixation with interfragmentary screws and with plates and screws for the treatment of long oblique or spiral metacarpal fractures. Materials and methods: A comparative retrospective study was carried out between 2 groups of patients treated surgically. In the first group, 24 patients were treated with interfragmentary screws and in the second group, 17 patients were treated with plate and screw osteosynthesis. A dorsal longitudinal approach was used. Postoperatively, immobilization was performed using a plaster splint; both groups followed rehabilitation with same occupational therapist team. After a minimum follow-up of 12 months, they were evaluated with the DASH score, total active motion (TAM), pulp-to-palm distance, and comparative contralateral dynamometry. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The average follow-up was 24.5 months (range 12-43 months). There were no statistically significant differences in DASH, TAM, pulp-to-palm distance, and strength. The group treated with plate and screw fixation returned to work earlier, although there were two cases of implant removal, in addition to tendon adherence (tenolysis) in one of them. Conclusions: The treatment of patients with long oblique or spiral metacarpal fractures with interfragmentary screws or plates and screws showed similar outcomes; the treatment with plate and screws allowed an earlier return to work but had a greater number of complications. Level of Evidence: III

Fractura de clavícula: Técnica mínimamente invasiva / Minimally invasive approach for clavicular fractures

Objetivo: Describir la técnica quirúrgica mínimamente invasiva con placa regional bloqueada para fracturas mediodiafisarias de clavícula y mostrar nuestros resultados clínicos y radiográficos. Materiales y Métodos: Se evaluó, en forma retrospectiva, a 15 pacientes (12 hombres y 3 mujeres, media de la edad, 32.4 años [rango 17-51]) con fractura de clavícula, tratados con reducción y osteosíntesis con placa superior bloqueada anatómica mediante una técnica mínimamente invasiva. Según la clasificación de Allman, 12 pacientes tenían fractura de clavícula tipo I y tres, tipo II. Resultados: El tiempo promedio de cirugía fue de 53 minutos (rango 51-65). Se logró la consolidación de todas las fracturas en un promedio de 13.3 semanas (rango 12-15). No hubo seudoartrosis ni consolidaciones viciosas. El puntaje promedio de Constant fue de 98 (rango 95-100). Todos los pacientes se manifestaron satisfechos con los resultados estéticos y funcionales. Conclusiones: Este estudio demuestra que la técnica mínimamente invasiva para las fracturas mediodiafisarias de clavícula, utilizando placas regionales anatómicas bloqueadas superiores, puede ser un procedimiento reproducible y una alternativa a las técnicas quirúrgicas convencionales. Además, los resultados clínicos y radiográficos satisfactorios se obtuvieron sin complicaciones mayores y sin disestesias en la zona de la herida. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Objectives: To describe the minimally invasive locking plate approach for midshaft clavicular fractures, and report our radiographic and clinical results. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated fifteen patients (12 men and 3 women, mean age: 32.4 years [range 17-51]) with clavicular fractures who underwent minimally invasive superior locking plate osteosynthesis and reduction. According to Allman classification of clavicular fractures, 12 patients had a type I fracture, while 3 had a type II fracture. Results: The average operating time was 53 minutes (range 51-65). Union was achieved in all patients in an average of 13.3 weeks (range 12-15). Patients were satisfied with cosmetic and functional results. Conclusions: This study shows that minimally invasive superior locking plate approach for midshaft clavicular fractures can be a reproducible procedure and an alternative to conventional surgical approaches. Clinical and radiological results were achieved without major complications and wound dysesthesia. Level of Evidence: IV