406 Bioabsorbable Screws in Scaphoid Fractures; a systematic review

Background

Scaphoid fractures account for 90% carpal injury. Due to the limited vascular supply achieving adequate reduction and healing is important to avoid complications including avascular necrosis. Recent technological advances have led to renewed vigour in bioabsorbable material research to develop devices which could be used without the need for removal and complications including stress shielding and suboptimal imaging.

Method

A systematic review was made using PubMed, Ovid Medline, and Google Scholar databases according to PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Initial search results yielded 852 studies. 124 studies were screened, resulting in 7 studies which were included in this review. The level of evidence of studies ranged between III-IV of low power. Analysis demonstrated mixed findings with generally comparable outcomes to traditionally used screws. Heterogeneity of studies prevented a meta-analysis.

Conclusions

Development in bioabsorbable materials has yielded promising results in orthopaedic studies, however there is a dearth in research using these devices in the scaphoid. Further robust research is needed to establish the efficacy and applicability of bioabsorbable devices in the scaphoid bone.

A comparison of complication rates between locking and non-locking plates in distal fibular fractures

BACKGROUND

Locking compression plates have become increasingly popular in orthopaedic surgery. However, the gold standard of treatment for distal fibular fractures remains fixation with a non-locking one-third tubular plate. It has been reported that locking plates in distal fibular fractures are associated with an increased complication rate.

HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study is to assess the complication rates of locking versus non-locking plates in patients who underwent surgical fixation of distal fibular fractures.

MATERIALS & METHODS

A retrospective analysis of closed distal fibular fractures that underwent surgical repair over a 2-year period with either a locking or non-locking plate was undertaken, analysing the groups for both wound and overall postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 160 patients were treated over 2 years, of which 129 and 31 patients were treated with non-locking and locking plates respectively. There was no significant difference between the non-locking and locking plates overall complication rates (13.5% versus 15.4%, p=0.76) or wound complication rates (3.97% versus 3.85%, p=1.00).

DISCUSSION

Distal fibular fractures managed with locking plates do not have a higher complication rate in comparison to those managed with non-locking plates.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III (case control study).