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122. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie

05. bis 08.04.2005, München

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Dorsal Double Plating for distal radius fractures: differential indication and outcome with the new 2.4 mm locking plates

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  • corresponding author A. P. Businger - Kantonsspital Luzern, Chirurgie A, Switzerland
  • D. A. Rikli - Kantonsspital Luzern, Chirurgie A, Switzerland
  • J. Rosenkranz - Kantonsspital Luzern, Chirurgie A, Switzerland
  • R. Babst - Kantonsspital Luzern, Chirurgie A, Switzerland

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie. 122. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie. München, 05.-08.04.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. Doc05dgch2532

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dgch2005/05dgch715.shtml

Published: June 15, 2005

© 2005 Businger et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.

Outline

Text

Introduction

Treatment concepts for distal radius fractures have changed considerably in the last years. The development of locking plates have reinforced the tendency towards operative treatment. Various locking plate systems are currently available. Indications for dorsal, palmar or combined dorso-palmar approaches are controversial. In this paper we present our differential indication for Dorsal Double Plating and our experience with the new 2.4mm titanium locking plates.

Materials

22 consecutive patients were prospectively documented (6-33 months). Dorsal Double Plating was used to treat 18 intraarticular fractures and four malunited extraarticular fractures. Standard x-rays were analysed by a experienced trauma surgeon for quality of reconstruction and loss of reduction. Any complication during the course of treatment was documented. The range of motion of the wrist was compared to the non operated side and the subjective functional outcome was assessed using the DASH and the PRWE Score.

Results

All fractures healed with no loss of reduction. No bone graft was used. All were treated by immediate early exercise. No intraoperative complication or infection was noted. One algodystrophy healed without sequalae. No tendon irritation or rupture occurred. The functional results were good to excellent in all cases. Implant removal was performed in four patients.

Discussion

There is a clear indication for Dorsal Double Plating in a small subset of distal radius fractures. The method is save and produces predictable results. The amount of tendon problems has decreased compared to earlier series with different implants used for dorsal plating.