Primary Open Reduction and Plate Fixation in Open Comminuted Intra-Articular Distal Radius Fracture

Abstract

There are no standard surgical treatments for open distal radius fractures (DRFs), and the fracture fixator is chosen by the surgeon's own experience. This study compared the outcomes of open reduction and volar locking plating (OR VLP) between closed and open AO-OTA type C3 DRFs. Materials and Methods: Patient data were retrospectively collected between January 2010 and December 2018. Only patients aged >18 years with AO-OTA C3 DRFs were included. After further exclusion, the patients with DRFs were divided into two groups: 13 patients with open DRFs in Group 1 and 203 patients with closed DRFs in Group 2. Data on the patient characteristics and treatment-related factors were further investigated. For the radiological evaluation, the radial height, volar height, and volar titling were measured based on the final plain radiography, and the union time was measured. The wrist range of motion (ROM), pain visual analogue scale score, and modified Mayo wrist score for function were measured at the final outpatient follow-up. Finally, the complications associated with OR VLP fixation were investigated. Results: In the demographic comparison, the patients with open fractures were older (mean age, 62 years) than those with closed fractures (mean age, 57 years), without a statistically significant difference. The patients with open DRFs had longer antibiotic therapy and hospital stay durations. Although they presented a higher radial inclination, with statistical significance, the clinical implication was low with a mean difference of 3°. No significant differences were observed for the remaining radiological parameters, wrist ROM, and functional scores. An open DRF did not increase the complication rates, including deep infection. Conclusion: Depending on the expertise of the operating surgeon, the primary OR VLP fixation in open intra-articular comminuted DRF did not increase the incidence of deep infections and yielded similar outcomes to a closed intra-articular comminuted DRF.