[Osteosynthesis using intra-focal pins of anteriorly dislocated fractures of the inferior radial epiphysis]

Limited Open Reduction and Transepiphyseal Intramedullary Kirschner Wire Fixation for Treatment of Irreducible Distal Radius Diaphyseal Metaphyseal Junction Fracture in Older Children

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare limited open reduction and transepiphyseal intramedullary fixation with Kirschner wire (LOR-TIKW) versus open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screw (ORIF-PS) for treatment of irreducible distal radius diaphyseal-metaphyseal junction (DMJ) fracture in older children.

METHODS

Data of children (aged 10-14 years) treated in our hospital for distal radius DMJ fractures with LOR-TIKW or ORIF-PS from January 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up was until radiographic union. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data; treatment cost; healing time; functional outcome (by Price criteria); complications; and postoperative angulation and displacement were compared between children treated by the two methods. Statistical analysis was performed with alpha set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 26 children were included: 14 treated with LOR-TIKW and 12 with ORIF-PS. Operation time was less (22.1 min vs. 46.7 min, P < 0.0001), surgical incision smaller (2.43 cm vs. 5.00 cm, P < 0.0001), cost of internal fixation lower (US$, 40.6 vs. 2020, P < 0.0001), and healing time shorter (4.79 weeks vs. 5.64 weeks, P = 0.03) with LOR-TIKW; however, postoperative fracture angulation was slightly larger (1.07° vs. 0.83°, P = 0.85) and displacement slightly more (0.86 mm vs. 0.58 mm, P = 0.44) in the LOR-TIKW group. Rate of union, functional outcome, and complications were not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSION

For irreducible DMJ fracture of distal radius in older children, LOR-TIKW appears to be a promising method with several advantages over ORIF-PS.

Treatment of physeal fractures of the distal radius by volar intrafocal Kapandji method: surgical technique

BACKGROUND

Distal radial physeal fractures with volar displacement are rare. Several methods of operative treatment include volar plate without inserting distal screws, percutaneous technique using two anterior skin incisions and reversed Kapandji technique with pins introduced through a posterior approach and locked at the anterior cortex of the fracture.

METHODS

We report three cases along with a literature review of the surgical techniques described in the past and a novel surgical technique for this uncommon fracture termed "Volar Kapandji".

RESULTS

All patients had anatomic reduction at the last follow-up radiography, and all patients had a full range of motion and VAS 0 at the last follow-up. No complications were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

This case study presents the minimally invasive option for treating rare cases of physeal distal radius fractures with volar displacement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.

Catastrophic osteomyelitis following percutaneous wire fixation of a distal radial fracture: a cautionary tale of poor patient selection followed by surgical mishap

We present a case of distal radius fracture. Several sequential unfortunate events resulted in a poor outcome. The patient was poorly selected because the degree of early dementia was not fully appreciated, due to intermittent periods of lucidity. Having elected to treat this distal radius fracture with Kirschner wires, a wire snapped during the procedure and was deemed safe to leave within the medullary cavity. Subsequently, the patient was left in a cast for 4 weeks without regular pin site inspection. When the cast was removed a gross osteomyelitis had developed. This series of events, led to unnecessary morbidity and extended the immobilisation time with reduced wrist function. This case highlights the importance of careful patient selection, surgical tactics and continuity of care.

[Diametaphyseal forearm fracture in childhood. Pitfalls and recommendations for treatment]

The optimal treatment for fractures in the diametaphyseal transition zone of the forearm is still a matter of debate. Stable fractures should be immobilized or treated by closed reduction when non-tolerably displaced. Unstable and displaced fractures can be treated by various operative techniques, which are all characterized by technical impracticability or disadvantages for the patient. In younger patients transepiphyseal intramedullary K-wire fixation represents a minimally invasive, quick and technically easy treatment option but requires additional immobilisation. In adolescent patients volar locking plate osteosynthesis constitutes an immobilisation-free treatment option, but is combined with high invasiveness. Percutaneous K-wire fixation and elastic stable intramedullary nailing may lead to poor results in the diametaphyseal region due to technical or biomechanical problems associated with the implant. The external fixator is indicated in some multifragmentary fractures. The choice of treatment option often results from an individual decision based on the patient's age, complexity and stability of the fracture and interest of the patient. The priority objective of all treatment modalities is a fully functional upper extremity, i.e. full range of motion.

Treatment of distal radius fractures with intrafocal (kapandji) pinning and supplemental skeletal stabilization

The technique of intrafocal pinning was originally described by Kapandji. This technique, along with the addition of supplemental external or internal bridging fixation, can be performed quickly with minimal soft tissue damage. This technique is indicated for the treatment of unstable extra-articular or minimally displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal radius. Studies demonstrate that young patients with displaced extra-articular distal radius fractures and minimal comminution can be treated by percutaneous intrafocal pin fixation alone, whereas, patients over 55 years of age and younger patients with comminution involving two or more surfaces of the radial metaphysis (or > 50% of the metaphyseal diameter) require bridging fixation besides percutaneous pin fixation. The use of this technique achieves the goal of surgical treatment of distal radius fractures: restoration of hand and wrist function through the restoration of alignment and articular surface congruity.

Intrafocal (Kapandji) pinning of distal radius fractures with and without external fixation

Seventy-three patients were treated with either intrafocal pinning (Kapandji technique) alone or in combination with external fixation between 1988 and 1993 for extra-articular fractures of the distal radius (with or without a nondisplaced extension into the radiocarpal articular surface) with inadequate alignment after initial closed reduction. Sixty-one patients were available for follow-up examination at an average of 34 months (range, 24-71 months). The average age was 52 years (range, 16-84 years). Thirty-three of the patients were female. The patients all had dorsally displaced extra-articular fractures, although 56% had a nondisplaced extension of the fracture into the radiocarpal joint and 46% had a nondisplaced fracture extending into the distal radioulnar joint. The patients were separated into groups based on age, degree of comminution, and whether external fixation was also used. In the older patients, range of motion, grip strength, and pain relief were significantly better when external fixation was used, even when only 1 cortex of the radius demonstrated comminution. In the younger patients, good results in terms of range of motion, grip strength, and pain relief were obtained when percutaneous intrafocal pins were used alone in patients with comminution of only 1 surface of the radius (<50% of the metaphyseal diameter). When > or = 2 sides of the radial metaphysis were comminuted, the patients with external fixation had better results than those without external fixation. Although the correction of palmar tilt and radial tilt did result in better functional results, the restoration of radial length had the most significant effect on range of motion and grip strength.