The Value of Intraoperative 3-Dimensional Fluoroscopy in the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

This study attempted to determine the clinical effectiveness of the intraoperative use of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy compared with conventional 2-dimensional fluoroscopy in patients with distal radius fractures.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter randomized clinical trial in which 206 patients were randomized between the use of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy or not during operative treatment of the distal radius fracture. The primary outcome was the quality of fracture reduction and fixation assessed on a postoperative computed tomography scan with a dichotomous outcome: indication for revision, yes or no.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in whether the fracture required revision surgery: 31% (2-dimensional group) versus 24% (3-dimensional group). In 11% of distal radius fractures allocated to the 3-dimensional group, additional intraoperative corrections (screw replacements) were performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with 2-dimensional fluoroscopy, the use of intraoperative 3-dimensional fluoroscopy does not appear to improve the quality of reduction and fixation in the management of patients with a distal radius fracture. However, the use of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy appears to have advantages such as more intraoperative revisions and less revision surgeries that this study could not clearly demonstrate.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Diagnostic II.

A prospective cohort study comparing the VAS spine score and Roland-Morris disability questionnaire in patients with a type A traumatic thoracolumbar spinal fracture

The Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ-24) and the VAS spine score have been regularly used to measure functional outcome in patients with back pain. The RMDQ-24 is primarily used in degenerative disease of the spine and the VAS Spine is used in trauma patients. The aim of this study is to compare these scores and to see if there is a correlation in patients with a traumatic thoracolumbar spinal fracture. Prospective cohort study comparing the RMDQ-24 and the VAS spine score in patients with a traumatic type A fracture thoracolumbar spine fracture. Fifteen non-operatively patients (group one) completed 118 questionnaires and 17 operatively treated patients (group two) completed 140 questionnaires. Group one scored an average of 6.6 and 65.9 for the RMDQ-24 and VAS Spine, in group two this was 5.1 and 82.9. Spearman's correlation test showed a significant correlation, in group one 0.83 and for the second group 0.87. RMDQ-24 and VAS Spine have a strong positive correlation in measuring disability in a group of patients with back pain because of a spinal fracture. In both non-operatively and operatively treated groups this correlation is significant.

Early proximal row carpectomy after severe carpal trauma

Complex fracture dislocations of the wrist often result in post-traumatic arthrosis. In these cases, patients can experience severe pain and loss of function of the wrist and as a result many of them end up having a total arthrodesis. In trying to avoid the disadvantages of a total arthrodesis, alternative treatment strategies have been investigated, amongst which proximal row carpectomy (PRC). Basic conditions for a good outcome of PRC are an intact cartilage of the lunate fossa of the distal radius and an intact surface of the head of the capitate for the new radiocapitate joint (, schematic drawing post-PRC). Also, an intact (volar) radioscaphocapitate (RSC) ligament is necessary because it plays an essential role in stabilizing the new joint and preventing volar dislocation and ulnar translocation of the distal carpal row. Acute post-traumatic PRC can be indicated, but is rarely reported in literature. In this article, we present four patients whom we have treated with early PRC after severe trauma of the wrist. Three patients had a good outcome. In the patient with the bad outcome, the before-mentioned prerequisites were not met, which is discussed.