A mini-plate fixation for the treatment of children's ulna and radius distal unstable fractures: A 18-case analysis / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of mini-plate fixation on the treatment of children unstable fractures of the distal ulna and radius. METHODS: A total of 18 children with unstable fracture of the distal ulna and radius (15 boys and 3 girls, aging 4.1-13.3 years, with the mean age of 9.8 years) were selected from Department of Orthopaedics, Wuhan Children and Women's Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from August 2006 to September 2009. The fracture occurred on right side (n=9) and left side (n=9). All children were treated with mini-plate fixation which was instead of the traditional pinning fixation. Before operation, stainless steel or titanium plates of adult digital bone, metacarpal bone, and metatarsal bone were chosen according to fracture types and sites. The distance from fracture line to epiphyseal plate was measured to get ready the T-, L-, clover or straight plates. Joint function, degree of forearm rotation loss, bone healing, and complications were monitored postoperatively and within following up. RESULTS: All cases were followed up in out-patient for an average 26.4 months. An average 10°limitation was measured on forearm pronation function of all children, but the function was recovered by doing exercises which did not influence daily activities. Supination, flexion and extension of wrist joint were generally normal, and the fracture was generally healed. Complications including re-displacement, refracture, malunion, delayed union, bone bridge formation, vascular and nerve injury were not found. CONCLUSION: Patients who were not satisfied with the reduction, re-displacement, or old distal radius fracture needed an open reduction. Micro-plate was fixed to avoid epiphyseal injury of distal forearm and reduce postoperative complications. An ideal mini-plate may replace the traditional pinning fixation.