distal radius fixation through a mini-invasive approach of 15 ......lower limb orthopedic surgery:...

14
ORIGINAL ARTICLE Distal radius fixation through a mini-invasive approach of 15 mm. PART 1: a series of 144 cases Fre ´de ´ric Lebailly Ahmed Zemirline Sybille Facca Ste ´phanie Gouzou Philippe Liverneaux Received: 21 October 2013 / Accepted: 3 November 2013 Ó Springer-Verlag France 2013 Abstract The volar Henry approach is becoming the gold standard for distal radius fracture fixation. It decreases the incidence of nonunion, limits complications especially complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I, and allows early mobilization of the wrist. Nonetheless, it has some disadvantages such as the size of the incision, which is not esthetically pleasing, and the loss of ligamentotaxis. This is why some authors have developed a mini-invasive approach. The aim of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of the anterior mini-invasive approach of 15 mm in a clinical series of 144 cases of distal radius fracture. All patients were operated under regional anesthesia using the same tech- niques by five surgeons of the same team. According to the AO classification, there were 83 type A fractures, 2 type B, and 59 type C. A volar plate (Step One Ò , Newclip Tech- nics TM , Haute-Goulaine, France) was used in all cases. The 2 proximal metaphyseal screws and the 2 distal central epiphyseal screws were monoaxial locking. The 2 distal ulnar and radial epiphyseal screws were placed in polyaxial locking at 20° angulation maximum. Skin closure without drainage was performed. No postoperative immobilization was prescribed, and patients were encouraged to use their upper limb immediately postoperative. No postoperative physiotherapy was prescribed. The mean follow-up was 4.1 months. The final size of the incision was on average 16.1 mm. Mean pain score was 1.8. The Quick DASH score was average 25. Average range of motion was more than 85 %, and global force of the hand was 67 % compared with contralateral side. On X-ray, the mean radial slope was 22°, the mean radial tilt was 8.3°, and the mean radioulnar vari- ance/index was -0.4 mm. There were nine cases of CRPS type I, which all resolved. Specific complications included two secondary displacements and nine tenosynovitis cases. No tendon rupture was noted. Two intra-articular distal ra- dioulnar joint screws had to be removed at 3 months. One epiphyseal screw required removal 1 month postoperative due to loosening. There were no intra-articular radiocarpal screws. Distal radius fracture fixation using a mini-invasive approach is a reliable and reproducible procedure with few complications. It allows anatomical reduction in the distal radius fractures including intra-articular ones. It can be associated with arthroscopy, scaphoid screw fixation or even percutaneous pinning. Thus, most traumatic lesions of the wrist bony or soft tissue can be treated through this mini- invasive approach. Keywords Minimally invasive surgical procedure Á Fracture fixation Á Bone plates Á Wrist Á Distal radius Introduction Mini-invasive surgery has been gradually established in lower limb orthopedic surgery: percutaneous surgery of the foot, knee arthroscopy, hip and knee prostheses and fixation of trochanteric fractures [1]. It is essential to define precise anatomical landmarks for this surgical approach, appropri- ate placement of material and equipment, and description of fracture reduction and implant placement techniques. At the wrist, only the posterior approach for placement of a centromedullary nail can be considered mini-invasive [2, 3]. But this technique is only valid for extra articular distal radius fractures and is used by only a few authors [4]. It is the anterior Henry approach that is becoming the gold standard, F. Lebailly Á A. Zemirline Á S. Facca Á S. Gouzou Á P. Liverneaux (&) Hand Surgery Department, Strasbourg University Hospitals, 10 Avenue Baumann, 67403 Illkirch Cedex, France e-mail: [email protected] 123 Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol DOI 10.1007/s00590-013-1363-2

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Page 1: Distal radius fixation through a mini-invasive approach of 15 ......lower limb orthopedic surgery: percutaneous surgery of the foot, knee arthroscopy, hip and knee prostheses and

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Distal radius fixation through a mini-invasive approachof 15 mm. PART 1: a series of 144 cases

Frederic Lebailly • Ahmed Zemirline •

Sybille Facca • Stephanie Gouzou • Philippe Liverneaux

Received: 21 October 2013 / Accepted: 3 November 2013

� Springer-Verlag France 2013

Abstract The volar Henry approach is becoming the gold

standard for distal radius fracture fixation. It decreases the

incidence of nonunion, limits complications especially

complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I, and allows

early mobilization of the wrist. Nonetheless, it has some

disadvantages such as the size of the incision, which is not

esthetically pleasing, and the loss of ligamentotaxis. This is

why some authors have developed a mini-invasive approach.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of the

anterior mini-invasive approach of 15 mm in a clinical series

of 144 cases of distal radius fracture. All patients were

operated under regional anesthesia using the same tech-

niques by five surgeons of the same team. According to the

AO classification, there were 83 type A fractures, 2 type B,

and 59 type C. A volar plate (Step One�, Newclip Tech-

nicsTM, Haute-Goulaine, France) was used in all cases. The 2

proximal metaphyseal screws and the 2 distal central

epiphyseal screws were monoaxial locking. The 2 distal

ulnar and radial epiphyseal screws were placed in polyaxial

locking at 20� angulation maximum. Skin closure without

drainage was performed. No postoperative immobilization

was prescribed, and patients were encouraged to use their

upper limb immediately postoperative. No postoperative

physiotherapy was prescribed. The mean follow-up was

4.1 months. The final size of the incision was on average

16.1 mm. Mean pain score was 1.8. The Quick DASH score

was average 25. Average range of motion was more than

85 %, and global force of the hand was 67 % compared with

contralateral side. On X-ray, the mean radial slope was 22�,

the mean radial tilt was 8.3�, and the mean radioulnar vari-

ance/index was -0.4 mm. There were nine cases of CRPS

type I, which all resolved. Specific complications included

two secondary displacements and nine tenosynovitis cases.

No tendon rupture was noted. Two intra-articular distal ra-

dioulnar joint screws had to be removed at 3 months. One

epiphyseal screw required removal 1 month postoperative

due to loosening. There were no intra-articular radiocarpal

screws. Distal radius fracture fixation using a mini-invasive

approach is a reliable and reproducible procedure with few

complications. It allows anatomical reduction in the distal

radius fractures including intra-articular ones. It can be

associated with arthroscopy, scaphoid screw fixation or even

percutaneous pinning. Thus, most traumatic lesions of the

wrist bony or soft tissue can be treated through this mini-

invasive approach.

Keywords Minimally invasive surgical procedure �Fracture fixation � Bone plates � Wrist � Distal radius

Introduction

Mini-invasive surgery has been gradually established in

lower limb orthopedic surgery: percutaneous surgery of the

foot, knee arthroscopy, hip and knee prostheses and fixation

of trochanteric fractures [1]. It is essential to define precise

anatomical landmarks for this surgical approach, appropri-

ate placement of material and equipment, and description of

fracture reduction and implant placement techniques.

At the wrist, only the posterior approach for placement of

a centromedullary nail can be considered mini-invasive [2,

3]. But this technique is only valid for extra articular distal

radius fractures and is used by only a few authors [4]. It is the

anterior Henry approach that is becoming the gold standard,

F. Lebailly � A. Zemirline � S. Facca � S. Gouzou �P. Liverneaux (&)

Hand Surgery Department, Strasbourg University Hospitals,

10 Avenue Baumann, 67403 Illkirch Cedex, France

e-mail: [email protected]

123

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

DOI 10.1007/s00590-013-1363-2

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Table 1 Casuistics of type A and B fractures

No. Age (years) Sex F/M Dominant side Affected side Classification AO Lesions associated Treatment of associated lesion

1 86 F R R A3.2

2 89 F L L A2.2

3 74 F R L A3.2

4 24 M R L A3.2

5 87 F R R A2.2

6 68 F R L A3.2

7 86 F R L A2.2

8 43 F R L A2.2

9 41 F R R A3.2

10 58 F R R A2.2

11 86 F L L A2.2

12 64 F R L A3.2

13 57 M R R A2.2 Scapholunate rupture Arthroscopic debridement and

pinning

14 52 F R L A2.2

15 31 F R L A2.2

16 79 F R R A3.2

17 84 F R L A2.2

18 80 M R L A3.2

19 84 F R L A2.2

20 53 M R R A3.2

21 23 M R L A2.1

22 43 F R R A2.2

23 65 F R L A2.2

24 59 F R R A2.2

25 72 F R R A3.2

26 69 F R L A3.2

27 74 F R L A3.2

28 61 F R R A2.2

29 65 F R L A2.2

30 81 F R L A2.2

31 53 F R R A2.2

32 29 F R L A2.2

33 41 F L L A2.2

34 103 F R R A3.2

35 26 M R R A3.2

36 59 F R R A3.2

37 43 M R L A2.2

38 57 F R L A2.2

39 33 F R R A2.2

40 63 F R L A2.2

41 16 M L R A3.2

42 45 M R L A2.2

43 57 F R L A2.2

44 73 F R R B3.3

45 78 F R R A2.2

46 82 F R R A3.2 Ulnar neck fracture

47 68 F R R A2.2

48 79 F R R A3.3

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

123

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thanks to the wide use of anterior locking plates for distal

radius fracture fixation. It decreases the incidence of non-

union, limits complications especially complex regional

pain syndrome (CRPS) type I, and allows early mobilization

of the wrist [5]. Nonetheless, it has some disadvantages such

as the size of the incision, which is not esthetically pleasing,

the loss of ligamentotaxis associated with the detachment of

the articular bony fragments from their ligament, capsule and

muscle attachments. This is why some authors have devel-

oped a mini-invasive approach [6].

The aim of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of

the anterior mini-invasive approach of 15 mm in a clinical

series of 144 cases of distal radius fracture.

Materials and methods

Between February and July 2012, 188 patients were

operated in our unit for distal radius fractures. Among

these, 144 were operated using a mini-invasive approach

Table 1 continued

No. Age (years) Sex F/M Dominant side Affected side Classification AO Lesions associated Treatment of associated lesion

49 65 F R R A2.2

50 63 F R L A2.2 EPL rupture Transfer of EIP and splinting

3 weeks

51 68 F R L A3.2

52 82 F R R A3.2

53 47 M R L A2.2

54 76 F R R A3.2 Ulnar neck fracture

55 79 F R L A3.2

56 72 F R R A2.3

57 86 F R L A2.3

58 69 F R R A2.3

59 91 F R R A3.2

60 99 F R R A3.2

61 17 F R R A2.2

62 87 F R R A2.2

63 55 F R R A2.2

64 51 F R L A3.2

65 39 M R L A2.2

66 69 F R L A2.2

67 35 F R R A2.2

68 16 M R L A2.3

69 94 F R L A3.1

70 70 F R L A3.2

71 74 F R L A3.3

72 26 F R R A2.2 Ulnar nerve contusion

73 35 M R R A2.2

74 88 F R L A3.2

75 72 F R L A3.2

76 31 F R R A2.2

77 25 M R L A3.2

78 86 F R L A3.2

79 56 M R L B3.2 Kienbock stage IV

80 65 F R R A3.2

81 83 F R R A2.2 Median nerve contusion

82 89 F R L A2.2 Ulnar neck fracture

83 73 F R R A3.2

84 33 M R L A3.2 Median nerve contusion

85 54 F R R A3.2

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

123

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Table 2 Casuistics of type C fractures

No. Age

(years)

Sex

F/H

Dominant

side

Affected

side

Classification

AO

Lesions associated Treatment of associated lesion

86 61 F R L C1.3

87 82 F R L C3.1

88 60 F R R C3.1

89 75 F L L C2.2

90 53 H R R C3.2

91 60 F R R C2.1

92 51 F R R C2.1

93 49 F R R C1.2

94 76 F R L C2.3

95 46 F R R C2.1

96 66 H L R C1.1

97 61 F R R C2.3

98 83 H R L C3.1

99 56 F L L C2.3

100 52 F R R C1.2

101 75 F R R C3.1

102 68 F R L C2.3

103 71 F R L C3.1 Degenerative scapholunate

rupture

104 55 F R L C1.3

105 62 F R L C3.1

106 61 F R R C3.1

107 22 F R L C2.1

108 87 F R L C2.2

109 81 H R R C2.2

110 89 F R R C2.2

111 57 F R L C1.1

112 48 H R L C1.2

113 88 F R L C2.2

114 78 F R L C1.2 Degenerative scapholunate

rupture

115 54 H R L C3.1

116 88 F R R C3.1

117 53 F R L C3.1 Fracture proximal humerus Orthopedic treatment

118 65 F R R C1.3

119 78 F R R C1.3

120 29 F L R C1.2 Rupture scapholunate Arthroscopic debridement and

pinning

121 29 F R L C1.1 Rupture scapholunate Arthroscopic debridement and

pinning

122 33 F R R C1.2 TFCC peripheral detachment Arthroscopic re-insertion

123 42 F L R C2.2 Fracture ulnar neck

124 79 F R R C3.3

125 50 F R L C2.3

126 57 H R R C2.3 Scaphoid Fracture Percutaneous screw fixation

127 65 F L L C1.2

128 42 H R L C3.2 Rupture scapholunate Arthroscopic debridement and

pinning

129 67 F L L C1.2

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

123

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(Tables 1, 2). The mean age was 63 with extremes of 16

and 103 years. The sex ratio was 4.8. The dominant side

was affected in 50 % of cases. According to the AO

classification, there were 83 type A fractures, 2 type B,

and 59 type C. Associated lesions included 6 scapholu-

nate ligament ruptures, 4 of which were recent, 1 TFCC

tear type 1B Palmer, 1 scaphoid fracture, 4 ulnar neck

fractures, 3 nerve contusions: 2 median and 1 ulnar.

All patients were operated under regional anesthesia

using the same techniques by five surgeons of the same

team. Most patients were seen in emergency and

rescheduled to day surgery. An anterior plate (Step

One�, Newclip TechnicsTM, Haute-Goulaine, France)

was used in all cases. The 2 proximal metaphyseal

screws and the 2 distal central epiphyseal screws were

monoaxial locking. The 2 distal ulnar and radial epiph-

yseal screws were placed in polyaxial locking at 20�angulation. The reduction fixation technique is described

step-by-step in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Skin

closure without drainage was performed. No postopera-

tive immobilization was prescribed, and patients were

encouraged to use their upper limb immediately post-

operative. No postoperative physiotherapy was

prescribed.

In case of intra-carpal lesions, a mini-invasive technique

was used in the same procedure. The scaphoid fracture was

fixed using retrograde percutaneous screws with 6 weeks

postoperative splinting. The 4 scapholunate ruptures were

treated arthroscopically by pinning and splinting for 6 weeks.

Results were evaluated using perioperative, clinical and

radiological data.

The size of the incision was measured in millimeters;

the tourniquet time was noted in minutes, and the dosim-

etry was measured in milli Grays at the end of surgery.

Clinical criteria at final follow-up included pain mea-

sured on VAS from 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain

imaginable). The global hand function was evaluated using

the quick D.A.S.H. score from 0 (normal upper limb

function) to 100 (no upper limb function). Wrist mobility

was measured in flexion, extension, pronation and supi-

nation. The results were expressed in percentage of

Table 2 continued

No. Age

(years)

Sex

F/H

Dominant

side

Affected

side

Classification

AO

Lesions associated Treatment of associated lesion

130 70 F R R C3.1

131 87 F R L C1.2

132 88 F R L C3.1

133 69 F R R C3.1

134 69 F R R C3.1

135 90 F R L C1.2

136 81 F R L C2.3

137 65 F R R C3.1

138 61 F R R C3.2

139 57 F R R C2.3

140 83 F R R C3.1

141 84 F R R C2.3

142 61 F R R C3.1

143 23 H R L C1.1

144 58 F R L C3.1

Fig. 1 Design of the incision. The most distal point is situated

20 mm from the radial styloid. The incision is extended 15 mm from

this point proximal along the Henry approach between the flexor carpi

radialis and radial artery

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

123

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contralateral limb function. Force was measured using the

Jamar dynamometer placed in position 2 (Sammsons

Preston RyolanTM, Bolingbrook, IL, USA). The results

were expressed in percentage of the contralateral side.

Radiological criteria included radial slope and radial

tilt in degrees, and the distal radioulnar index or variance

in millimeters was measured on standard PA and lateral

X-rays after consolidation at final follow-up.

Results

The mean follow-up was 4.1 months with extremes of 0.3

and 9.8. The results analysis is presented in Tables 3 and 4.

Clinically, the initial incision was 15 mm in all cases, and

the final size was on average 16.1 mm (15–40). Average

Fig. 2 The plate is introduced. The distal border of pronator

quadratus is incised transversely, then dissected subperiosteally

longitudinally off the radial metaphysis proximally. The plate with

2 drill guides fitted in the distal epiphyseal holes is introduced,

proximal part first, beneath the released pronator muscle

Fig. 3 Positioning of the pivot point of the plate. A 2-mm K-wire is

introduced into the ulnar-most guide and drilled while mobilizing the

plate to find the most ulnar and distal point of the anterior radius.

Position is checked using the fluoroscope especially on lateral view

where the pin must be applied onto the subchondral bone. If the

position is unsatisfactory, the pin is withdrawn, the plate moved and

the pin re-drilled until a satisfactory position is obtained. At this stage,

only the position of the K-wire at the ulnar pivot point of the plate is

controlled. The plate is not applied on the proximal fragment of the

radius

Fig. 4 Orientation of the plate on the distal radial diaphysis. A 2-mm

K-wire is introduced in the radial-most drill guide, drilled while

mobilizing the plate to find the most radial and distal point of the

anterior radius. Position is checked using the fluoroscope especially

on lateral view where the pin must be applied onto the subchondral

bone. If the position is unsatisfactory, the pin is withdrawn, the plate

moved and the pin re-drilled until a satisfactory position is obtained.

At this stage, only the position of the plate in relation to the radial

styloid is controlled. The plate is not applied on the proximal

fragment of the radius

Fig. 5 Plate fixation on the distal epiphysis of the radius. The 2

central fixed-angle epiphyseal screws are fixed. If the plate is not

firmly applied to the radius, an additional non-locking lag screw is

used to compress the plate to the radius. The 2 radial and ulnar fixed-

angle epiphyseal screws are placed. The orientation of these 2 screws

depends on the fracture line, and the displacement of the radial styloid

and the posteromedial fragments

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

123

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tourniquet time was 48 min (17–136). Mean operative

dosimetry was 2.6 mG (0.6–8.6). The mean tourniquet time

was 43 min for type A fractures, 55.3 for type C fractures,

and 105 min when an associated procedure was performed (5

arthroscopies and 1 scaphoid screw). In 10 cases, plate

removal was performed through a 12.9-mm starting incision

reaching 13.1 mm at the end of the operation.

Mean Pain score was 1.8 (0–6). The Quick D.A.S.H.

score was average 25 (0–82). Average range of motion in

flexion was 86 %, extension 86 %, pronation 96.4 % and

supination 91.2 %. Global force of the hand was 67 %

(0–167). Twenty-eight patients (19.4 %) had physiotherapy

after radiological consolidation.

On X-ray, the mean radial slope was 22� (7–45); the

mean radial tilt was 8.3 (-7 to ?20); and the mean ra-

dioulnar variance/index was -0.4 (-5 to ?5).

There was no infection, but general complications

included 9 cases of CRPS type I, (6.3 %), which all

Fig. 6 Preparation of the proximal plate. Two drill guides are

screwed on the holes of the proximal fixed-angle screws

Fig. 7 Reduction in the fracture onto the plate. The plate is applied

and orientated on the anterior cortex of the metaphysis by pressure. A

drill bit of 2 mm is introduced into the most proximal drill guide and

driven through the 2 cortices of the metaphysis. It is left in place to

stabilize the plate, and a second drill bit is driven into the most distal

guide through both cortices and withdrawn. The distal screw is

inserted. If the plate is not firmly applied to the radius, a lag screw is

driven into the oblong slot for further compression of the plate to the

bone. Then the proximal screw is placed

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

123

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resolved. Specific complications included 2 secondary

displacements, of which one was re-operated with a good

final outcome. There were 9 tenosynovitis cases, 3 of

which involved the long fingers, 3 the Flexor Pollicis

Longus and 3 the tendons of the first extensor compart-

ment. All resolved after plate removal. No tendon rupture

was noted.

Two intra-articular distal radioulnar joint screws had to

be removed precociously at 3 months. One epiphyseal

screw required removal 1 month postoperative due to

loosening.

There were no intra-articular radiocarpal screws.

Discussion

Mini-invasive surgery is the current trend in all specialties,

not only for obvious esthetic considerations, but also for

technical and physiological reasons. A limited approach

has been shown to spare the ligament and muscle attach-

ments of the distal radius and carpus, thus facilitating

fracture reduction by ligamentotaxis [7–9]. This concept is

completely contradictory to that developed/proposed by

Orbay et al. [10] who advocate an almost total denudation

of the radius for fixation of complex fractures with anterior

plates. A limited approach avoids ischemia and necrosis of

the small articular fracture fragments and nonunion noted

in cases of extensive approach with periosteal stripping in

patients with comorbidities [11]. Finally, a limited

approach preserves the fracture hematoma promoting

consolidation [12].

All mini-invasive techniques entail a learning curve

[13], and prior cadaveric training is recommended to avoid

tendon and joint complications with this approach.

Tenosynovitis is a possible but rare complication in our

series (9 cases). No tendon ruptures were noted such as

those encountered in other series using the same anterior

plates [14, 15]; this is probably due to meticulously

avoiding any contact with the flexor tendons. The quality

of the reduction and restoration of the natural radial slope

as well as the low profile of the anterior plates help keep

the anterior radius away from the flexor tendons. However,

A theoretical risk of flexor tendon entrapment by the plate

does exist. It is thus essential to verify free excursion of

thumb and digit flexor tendons at the start and end of the

operation, possibly by placing them on a silicon sling.

In two cases, a screw protruding into the distal radio-

ulnar joint necessitated early removal. Theoretically, if the

joystick K-wire in the ulna is well positioned (Fig. 3), this

complication should not happen. However, when this

K-wire is replaced with a screw using a variable angle hole,

this screw can take a different direction while tightening,

especially to fix a displaced posterior ulnar fragment. It is

very important to always verify complete passive mobility

after all the screws are fixed on the plate at the end of the

operation. This is equally important in the mini-invasive

technique, and our distal radioulnar intra-articular screws

were due to negligence to check pronosupination and

X-rays of the distal radioulnar joint. This is a fault of the

operator and not of the technique itself.

In one case, the epiphyseal screw loosened secondarily

and was removed 1 month postoperative with a good final

result. This was due to a faulty screw initially, and not to

the mini-invasive technique itself. We recommend the

habitual use of a dynamometric screw to avoid this

complication.

We noted 2 secondary displacements. In one case, it was

due to a technical fault using an epiphyseal screw that was

too short. The posterior displacement was less than 30� in

an 83-year-old patient with limited functional demand, and

she was not re-operated. In the second case, the posterior

displacement was due to a second fall and the patient was

re-operated with good results.

CRPS type I were rare in our series (9 cases), as in with

anterior plate series, whereas this complication is fairly

common with K-wires [16]. This is due to early mobili-

zation thanks to a stable fixation with plates. With 15 mm

incisions, patients are reassured and keen to move their

wrists early.

The use of arthroscopy recommended by many authors

is the treatment of distal radius fractures when intra-artic-

ular reduction is difficult or when an associated carpal

ligament lesion is suspected [17–19]. We agree with this

Fig. 8 Closure. The flexor tendon excursion is verified. The quality

of the fracture reduction and the position of the plate and screws are

verified radiologically before skin closure

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

123

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Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

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Page 11: Distal radius fixation through a mini-invasive approach of 15 ......lower limb orthopedic surgery: percutaneous surgery of the foot, knee arthroscopy, hip and knee prostheses and

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Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol

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Page 14: Distal radius fixation through a mini-invasive approach of 15 ......lower limb orthopedic surgery: percutaneous surgery of the foot, knee arthroscopy, hip and knee prostheses and

view and used arthroscopy in 5 cases in our series where

there were associated intra-carpal ligament lesions. Nev-

ertheless, it seems paradoxical to combine a mini-invasive

technique such as arthroscopy with the classic open ante-

rior approach to distal radius fractures. It seems more

appropriate to couple arthroscopic intra-carpal ligament

repair with a mini-invasive approach of the fracture.

In conclusion, based on our series of 144 cases, distal

radius fracture fixation using the mini-invasive approach is

a reliable and reproducible procedure with few complica-

tions. It allows anatomical reduction in the distal radius

fractures including intra-articular ones. It can be associated

with arthroscopy, scaphoid screw fixation or even percu-

taneous pinning. Thus, most traumatic lesions of the wrist

bony or soft tissue can be treated through this mini-inva-

sive approach.

Conflict of interest Philippe Liverneaux is a consultant for Newclip

Technics, Small Bone Innovation, Integra, and Argomedical. Dr.

Lebailly, Dr. Zemirline, Dr. Facca, Dr. Gouzou have no conflict of

interest to declare.

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