A comparison of minimally invasive approach vs conventional approach for volar plating of distal radial fractures

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to introduce and to evaluate the functional results of volar platingof distal radial fractures through a longitudinal minimally invasive approach.Methods: From January 2010 to January 2013, 157 patients with distal radial fractures were randomlyallocated to group A (n¼ 83; 49 men, 34 women; mean age: 42 (18e67)) and B (n ¼ 74; 46 men, 28women; mean age: 41 (22e65)), including type A2, A3, B3, C1, and C2 fractures, based on AO Foundationand Orthopaedic Trauma Association ClassiŞcation. Patients in group A were treated through a 1.5- to 2cm longitudinal incision, and patients in group B were treated through the conventionalflexor carpiradialis approach. All fractures were treated with a locking volar plate. The functional results werecompared with range of motion, grip and pronation strengths for each fracture type.Results: After a follow-up of 2 years, similar measurements were noted on range of motion and gripstrength in both groups. Regarding pronation strength, group A was superior to group B (p< 0.05).Conclusions: Minimally invasive volar plating of distal radial fractures is a safe and reliable technique,resulting in better pronation function and appearance.Level of Evidence: Level I, Therapeutic study© 2017 Turkish Association of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. This isan open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).