This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
No increased adverse events seen for surgically treated unreduced vs reduced distal radius fractures
Patients with distal radius fractures that were splinted without reduction prior to open reduction and internal fixation did not have increased adverse events or subsequent surgeries compared with patients who underwent manipulative reduction prior to fixation, according to results.
“For patients who make an informed decision to undergo operative treatment for their closed neurovascular intact displaced distal radius fracture, manipulative reduction may not be helpful,” the authors wrote.
Researchers identified 1,511 adult patients with distal radius fractures who underwent open reduction and internal fixation between during a 5-year period. Of these patients, 102 did not undergo manipulative reduction prior to surgery and instead had their fractures splinted.
David Ring
Results showed unreduced and reduced fractures had no significant difference in specific adverse events. According to results of a multivariable analysis, no difference in specific or overall rates of adverse events and subsequent surgeries were found between reduced and unreduced fractures. The researchers also found no difference in time to carpal tunnel release, plate removal or tendon rupture between the groups. Overall, 11 patients experienced 11 infections and two had associated hematomas, according to results. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Teunis reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.