Abbas Ali, Muhammad Ayaz Khan.
Direct Lateral Approach to Shaft of Radius.
Ophthalmol Update Jan ;14(2):74-6.

Background: Shaft of radius may be exposed surgically by dorsal (Thompson or Volar Henry) approaches. However, both of these approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. The author felt the need of other approach, which did not have disadvantages of both approaches and at the same time have advantages of both approaches. Objective: To determine the validity of a novel, direct lateral or radial approach to the shaft of radius throughout its full length. Material & Methods: A descriptive case series was conducted in the department of orthopedic surgery, Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar Feb-2013 to Sep-2015. Twenty examined patients were operated for internal fixation of fracture of radius with dynamic compression plate through lateral approach. Patients were followed up on 4th , 8th and 12th postoperative week and functional outcome was assessed. Results: age of the patients ranged from 18 to 60 with mean age of 39. There were 14(73.68) male and 5(26.3) female patients. 10 patients (52.63) had fracture in the middle 1/3 of shaft, 6 patients (31.57%) had fracture in the proximal 1/3 and 3 patients (15.78%) had fractures at the distal 1/3 of radius. Radiological union was satisfactory in the 12th week follow up period in all patients. None of the patients had postoperative posterior interosseous nerve palsy. Range of motion (supination and pronation ) was functional in all patients. Conclusion: direct lateral approach to radial shaft produce goods radiological and functional outcome with minimal complication rate.

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