Treatment of serious comminuted distal radius fractures by external fixator combined with limited internal fixation / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the clinical effects of external fixator combined with limited internal fixation in treatment of serious comminuted distal radius fractures. Methods 35 patients with serious comminuted distal radius fractures were treated by external fixator combined with limited internal fixation from January 2001 to May 2004. There were 16 males and 9 females with an average age of 47.3 years. According to AO/ASIF classification, 9 fractures were A3 type, 9 C2, and 17 C3. Reduction was achieved and maintained in 27 cases by longitudinal traction and external fixation, 5 by external fixator with percutaneous K-wire, and 3 by external fixatator combined with ulnar limited internal fixation. Results All the patients were followed up from 5 months to 30 months (12 months on average). According to the anatomical alignment, 9 were excellent, 24 good, and 2 fair. It was necessary to restore the anatomy of distal radius both on sagittal and coronal planes in order to obtain good functions. Preoperatively, the radial inclination angle was -15? to 15?(10.5? on average), and the palmar tilt angle was -30? to 0?(-10? on average). After operation, the two angels were reduced to 20? to 35?(25? on average), and 0? to 20?(11.5? on average)respectively. The joint function was assessed by Dienst criteria, the results suggested that 12 were graded as excellent, 21 good, and 2 fair. No severe complications were found. Conclusion The treatment of serious comminuted distal radius fractures using external fixator combined with limited internal fixation is of easy performance, reliable fixation, satisfactory effect, and lower complications. It offers a new method which can obviously improve the union of the fractures and decrease the infection rate postoperatively for the treatment of the fractures of distal radius.