Preliminary experience with triangular CarboFix "Piccolo" Distal Radius Plate in wrist fractures. Clinical and radiological results

Fracture fixation in extremity trauma with carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) plates: evidence today

Purpose

To compare the CFR-PEEK plates with conventional plates in fracture fixation with regards to clinical and radiological outcomes and complications.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in four online databases independently by two reviewers using the Cochrane methodology for systematic reviews. The identified relevant studies were assessed against predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Independent data extraction and assessment of risk of bias and study quality was carried out.

Results

Nine studies (patient n = 361) out of 6594 records were included for analysis: 2 RCTs (n = 63), 3 prospective cohort studies (n = 151), and 4 retrospective cohort studies (n = 147). Studies were grouped per anatomic area of fixation. Four studies (n = 200) examined fixation of proximal humerus fractures. Two studies (n = 74) examined fixation of distal radius fractures. Two studies (n = 53) assessed outcomes of fixation of distal femur fractures. One study (n = 87) assessed the outcomes of fixation of ankle fractures. All nine studies reported very high union rates (from 91% in distal femur to 100% in upper limb) for the CFR-PEEK plate groups and low complication rates. There was no significant difference in clinical outcomes, and rate of complications as compared to the conventional plate groups.

Conclusion

CFR-PEEK plates have high union rates in extremity fracture fixation similar to conventional plates with comparable good clinical outcomes and a very low and comparable rate of complications. Considering their advantages, CFR-PEEK plates seem to be valid alternative to conventional plating.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00068-021-01778-x.

The use of Carbon-Peek volar plate after distal radius osteotomy for Kienbock's Disease in a volleyball athlete: a case report

Kienbock’s Disease, or lunatomalacia, has uncertain etiopathogenesis, it is more common in male from 20 to 45-year-old. The Lichtman’s classification is the most used by authors and it divides Kienbock’s Disease in 4 stages according to radiographic parameters. In early stages could be performed a conservative treatment, but failure rate is high; various surgical techniques are available in case of failure or higher stages. We report a case of a 26-year-old female volleyball player affected by stage I Kienbock’s Disease who underwent distal radius osteotomy core decompression synthesized with Carbon-Peek plate fixation. Follow-up was performed with clinical evaluation (ROM analysis, VAS score, Quick Dash Score), wrist radiographs and wrist MRI. (www.actabiomedica.it)