Zhang Li-hai1, Wang Ya-nan2, Mao Zhi1, Zhang Li-cheng1, Li Hong-da3, Yan Huan3, Liu Xiao-xie4, Tang Pei-fu5. 1. Department of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China. 2. Department of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, P.R. China. 3. School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, P.R. China. 4. Rehabilitation Medicine Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, PR China. 5. Department of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China. Electronic address: pftang301@sina.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The choice between volar locking plates (VLP) and external fixation (EF) for unstable distal radius fractures have not reached a consensus. The meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to compare VLP with EF to determine the dominant strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Meta-analysis was performed with a systematic search of studies conducted by using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. The randomized controlled trials that compared VLP with EF was identified. Characteristics, functional outcomes, radiological results, and complications were manually extracted from all the selected studies. RESULTS: Six studies encompassing 445 patients met the inclusion criteria. There was significant difference between two procedures in disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand scores at 3,6, and 12 mo, visual analogue scale at 6 mo, grip strength at 3 mo, supination at 3 and 6 mo, extension at 3 mo, ulnar variance at 12 mo, and reoperation rate at 12 mo, postoperatively. However, there was no significant difference between flexion, pronation, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation at all follow-up points postoperatively and overall complications at 12 mo, postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: EF had less reoperative rate due to complications, however, VLP had advantages in functional recovery in the early period after surgery, but two methods had similar functional recovery at 12 mo, postoperatively. Clinician should make the treatment decision with great caution for the patients who sustained unstable distal radial fractures.
BACKGROUND: The choice between volar locking plates (VLP) and external fixation (EF) for unstable distal radius fractures have not reached a consensus. The meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to compare VLP with EF to determine the dominant strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Meta-analysis was performed with a systematic search of studies conducted by using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. The randomized controlled trials that compared VLP with EF was identified. Characteristics, functional outcomes, radiological results, and complications were manually extracted from all the selected studies. RESULTS: Six studies encompassing 445 patients met the inclusion criteria. There was significant difference between two procedures in disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand scores at 3,6, and 12 mo, visual analogue scale at 6 mo, grip strength at 3 mo, supination at 3 and 6 mo, extension at 3 mo, ulnar variance at 12 mo, and reoperation rate at 12 mo, postoperatively. However, there was no significant difference between flexion, pronation, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation at all follow-up points postoperatively and overall complications at 12 mo, postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: EF had less reoperative rate due to complications, however, VLP had advantages in functional recovery in the early period after surgery, but two methods had similar functional recovery at 12 mo, postoperatively. Clinician should make the treatment decision with great caution for the patients who sustained unstable distal radial fractures.
Authors: Ara A Salibian; Karl C Bruckman; Jonathan M Bekisz; Joshua Mirrer; Vishal D Thanik; Jacques H Hacquebord Journal: J Wrist Surg Date: 2018-11-16
Authors: Taylor Woolnough; Daniel Axelrod; Anthony Bozzo; Alex Koziarz; Frank Koziarz; Colby Oitment; Lauren Gyemi; Jessica Gormley; Kyle Gouveia; Herman Johal Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2021-02-01 Impact factor: 4.755