Background The irregular nature of the dorsal surface of the distal radius makes it difficult to detect prominent screws with volar plate fixation for distal radius fractures using standard fluoroscopic images. This study evaluates the accuracy of a new radiographic method, the Hoya view, for the assessment of dorsal cortical screw penetration with volar plate fixation. Methods Eight cadaveric upper extremities underwent application of a volar distal radius plate with polyaxial locking screws placed distally. Utilizing a mini C-arm, lateral and Hoya views were obtained with notation of any dorsal cortical screw prominence. Dissection of the cadavers was then performed for direct visualization of screw prominence. The screws were then exchanged sequentially for screws 2-mm longer than their initial measurements with repeated imaging and direct visualization. Results The Hoya view revealed that 9.4 % of the screws penetrated the dorsal cortex with an average screw prominence of 1.08 mm (range 0.5-2 mm). None of the six prominent screws were detected with lateral views. With the Hoya view, six of six prominent screws were identified. With locking screws exchanged for screws 2-mm longer, 76.6 % of the screws had violated the dorsal cortex; of these, 24.5 % were detected with lateral imaging versus 100 % with the Hoya view. Conclusions This study supports the intraoperative use of the Hoya view to evaluate screw length and dorsal cortical screw penetration in volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures. However, this view may be difficult to obtain in patients with limitations in elbow or shoulder range of motion.

Tibia fracture is the most common type of long bone fracture, and intramedullary nailing is the preferred treatment. In open fractures, a provisional plate is often used to maintain reduction. It is unknown whether this practice increases the risk of infection or other complications. This study retrospectively compared patients who were treated at a level 1 trauma center with intramedullary nailing of an open tibia fracture. Patients who were included: (1) were 18 years or older; (2) were treated between January 1, 2005, and June 30, 2013; (3) had an open fracture of the tibia; and (4) were treated operatively with intramedullary nailing, with or without provisional plate fixation. Patient sex, history of diabetes, history of smoking, mechanism of injury, and side of injury were analyzed. Postoperative complications included infection, delayed union or non-union, compartment syndrome, and death. After the authors controlled for age, Gustilo-Anderson type, and AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification, they found that provisional plate use did not significantly increase the risk of infection (adjusted odds ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-5.32; P=.41) or any other complications (adjusted odds ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-3.35; P=.67). In the subgroup of patients who had a provisional plate (n=35), removal of the plate did not significantly decrease the risk of infection (adjusted odds ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-2.69; P=.36) or other complications (adjusted odds ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-2.46; P=.44). In open tibia fractures treated with intramedullary nailing, provisional plate stabilization, a valuable reduction aid, did not increase the risk of infection or other complications. Because of the small subgroup size, however, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn about removal of these provisional plates. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(5):e931-e936.].

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