A Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study to Assess Distal Radius Fracture Treatment Outcomes Using the Variable-Angle Locking Compression Plate

• Published in: Archives of Hand and Microsurgery Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 234 - 242
• Main Authors: Yoo, Sung-Lim, Lee, Ho-Jae, Han, Soo-Hong, Kim, Jae Kwang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 대한수부외과학회 01.09.2019
• Subjects: 의학일반
• ISSN: 2586-3290; 2586-3533
• DOI: 10.12790/ahm.2019.24.3.234

Purpose: The 2.4 mm variable-angle locking compression plate (VA-LCP) is designed to treat a variety of distal radius fracture patterns. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the 2.4 mm VA-LCP in treating unstable distal radius fractures.Methods: We recruited eligible patients treated with the device at two Korean sites. In total, we studied 61 enrolled pa-tients. We assessed clinical outcomes and radiographic union, as well as the types of plates and the number of variable-angle locking screws used in the treatment of each fracture type. Radiographic parameters were evaluated at the immedi-ate postoperative period and at 1 year after operation.Results: A total of five complications occurred in 61 patients (8.2%). Radiographic union was achieved in 46/51 (90.2%), 50/51 (98.0%), and 51/51 (100%) patients at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Radiographic parameters evaluated at the immediate postoperative period were 22.4±4.2 degrees (radial inclination), 4.7±0.4 degrees (volar tilt) and 0.8±0.2 de-grees (ulnar variance). Radiographic parameters evaluated at 1 year after operation were 21.3±3.4 degrees (radial inclina-tion), 4.1±0.4 degrees (volar tilt) and 1.2±0.3 degrees (ulnar variance). Wrist range of motion and grip strength measure-ments, as well as self-administered patient questionnaires showed continuous improvements at all follow-up time points. The mean number of screws that were inserted through variable-angle screw guide was 3.2±0.9, while that of screws inserted through fixed-angle screw guide was 3.5±0.9. The majority of patients (85.3%) were treated with a narrow plate.Conclusion: The findings of this study show promising results for the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures using the VA-LCP System. KCI Citation Count: 0