A Moriarity1, P Ellanti1, K Mohan2, C Ni Fhoghlu1, C Fenelon1, J McKenna1. 1. Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Saint-James's Hospital, James's street, Dublin 8, Ireland. 2. Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Saint-James's Hospital, James's street, Dublin 8, Ireland. Electronic address: kmohan@tcd.ie.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Locking compression plates have become increasingly popular in orthopaedic surgery. However, the gold standard of treatment for distal fibular fractures remains fixation with a non-locking one-third tubular plate. It has been reported that locking plates in distal fibular fractures are associated with an increased complication rate. HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study is to assess the complication rates of locking versus non-locking plates in patients who underwent surgical fixation of distal fibular fractures. MATERIALS & METHODS: A retrospective analysis of closed distal fibular fractures that underwent surgical repair over a 2-year period with either a locking or non-locking plate was undertaken, analysing the groups for both wound and overall postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients were treated over 2 years, of which 129 and 31 patients were treated with non-locking and locking plates respectively. There was no significant difference between the non-locking and locking plates overall complication rates (13.5% versus 15.4%, p=0.76) or wound complication rates (3.97% versus 3.85%, p=1.00). DISCUSSION: Distal fibular fractures managed with locking plates do not have a higher complication rate in comparison to those managed with non-locking plates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III (case control study).
BACKGROUND: Locking compression plates have become increasingly popular in orthopaedic surgery. However, the gold standard of treatment for distal fibular fractures remains fixation with a non-locking one-third tubular plate. It has been reported that locking plates in distal fibular fractures are associated with an increased complication rate. HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study is to assess the complication rates of locking versus non-locking plates in patients who underwent surgical fixation of distal fibular fractures. MATERIALS & METHODS: A retrospective analysis of closed distal fibular fractures that underwent surgical repair over a 2-year period with either a locking or non-locking plate was undertaken, analysing the groups for both wound and overall postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients were treated over 2 years, of which 129 and 31 patients were treated with non-locking and locking plates respectively. There was no significant difference between the non-locking and locking plates overall complication rates (13.5% versus 15.4%, p=0.76) or wound complication rates (3.97% versus 3.85%, p=1.00). DISCUSSION: Distal fibular fractures managed with locking plates do not have a higher complication rate in comparison to those managed with non-locking plates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III (case control study).
Authors: Nesar Ahmad Hasami; Diederik Pieter Johan Smeeing; Albert Frederik Pull Ter Gunne; Michael John Richard Edwards; Stijn Diederik Nelen Journal: Foot Ankle Int Date: 2021-09-28 Impact factor: 2.827