Aimal Sattar Khan, Abdul Waheed, Inam Ullah Khan.
Effectiveness of Volar Locking Plate Fixation Vs Bridging External Fixation in Unstable Distal Radius Fracture.
Ophthalmol Update Jan ;15(3):306-9.

Objective: to compare the effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation with volar locking plate verses external fixation in the management of unstable distal radius fracture. Study design: Randomized control trial. Place and duration of study: Department of Orthopaedics, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. Patients and methods: Patients were alternatively allocated into two groups A & B. In group A open reduction and internal fixation with volar locking plate was done and in group B external fixation was done. Internal fixation was done by volar locking plate through volar radial (Henry) approach. External fixator with 3.5mm schanz screws was applied with two schanz screw in 2nd metacarpal bone and two schanz screws in radius proximal to fracture site with ligamentotaxis. Radiological outcome was measured after four weeks post operatively using radiological criteria of acceptance for distal radius fracture. Results: Mean age in group A was 37� 2.76 years whereas in group B was 38� 3.02 years. Efficacy was analyzed as Open reduction and internal fixation with volar locking plate was effective in 88% patients Where as external fixation was effective in 72% patients. Conclusion: Our study concludes that open reduction and internal fixation with volar locking plate was more effective than external fixation in the management of unstable distal radius fracture.

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