External Fixation and Adjuvant Pins Versus Volar Locking Plate Fixation in Unstable Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized, Controlled Study With a 5-Year Follow-Up

External Fixation Versus Volar Locking Plate for Unstable Dorsally Displaced Distal Radius Fractures—A 3-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Study

“…As most studies report similar functional results regardless of surgical method at 1 year or later, 1e10,12e15, 31,32 it is important to consider the burden of complications. There were more reoperations (although not statistically significant) in the VLP group (13 patients) than in the EF group (8 patients) in our study, and most of the reoperations in the VLP group consisted of plate extraction owing to tendon or nerve symptoms: 11 of the plates were extracted in the VLP group and 5 of them were removed later than 1 year after initial surgery.…”

“…The total rate of complications seems to be similar after external fixation and VLPs, but VLPs have been associated with more complications requiring late secondary surgery. 6,13,17,31,32 There are reports that secondary surgery occurs 2 to 7 years after fracture surgery, 13,31e34 which makes long-term follow-up important, especially for patients treated with internal fixation left in place that may cause mechanical attrition of surrounding soft tissues.…”

Comparison of Radiographic Results between Three Crossed Pinning and Four-Pin Radioulnar Transfixation Methods in the Treatment of Unstable Distal Radius Fracture

“…Given that the distal radius fracture is one of the most common fractures, it requires a suitable treatment to achieve the desired outcome, as inappropriate and inadequate treatment in reduction and its maintaining will disrupt daily living activity. (8) In this study, radiological parameters such as radial length, palmar tilt, ulnar variance and radial inclination were measured in 4 periods for the patients in both groups. The results showed that there were no significant differences between the radiological factors in the two groups.…”

Distal Radius Fractures: Approaches, Indications, and Techniques

“…Although external fixation is used less commonly today, several recent randomized studies have shown similar functional outcomes compared with volar plating. 34,35 The ideal surgical indication for external fixation is to temporize the fracture and surrounding soft tissue envelope until definitive open reduction internal fixation along with soft tissue coverage can be obtained (Fig. 7).…”