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Early mechanical failure found with variable angle locking plates for distal femur fractures
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Compared to treatment with traditional locking plates, patients treated with a variable angle, distal femoral locking plate for OTA/AO 33-C fractures had a higher rate of early mechanical failures, according to results.
“We caution practicing surgeons against the use of this plate for metaphyseal fragmented distal femur fractures,” the authors wrote.
Researchers categorized 67 adult patients treated for distal femur fractures into the following three groups based on treatment technique: a less invasive stabilization system group; a locking condylar plate group; and a variable angle locking plate group. The patients had an average age of 54.6 years and an average follow-up of 9.4 months.
Joshua L. Gary
Results showed the variable angle group had eight failures, while the less invasive stabilization system group had three failures and the locking condylar plate group had no failures. Although no statistically significant difference was found when fractures were compared for the rate of failure across all three groups, researchers found a significantly greater failure rate in the variable angle group when OTA/AO 33-C fractures were compared.
The variable angle group experienced a significantly earlier time to failure compared with the less invasive stabilization system group (147 days vs. 356 days), according to results. Researchers also noted medial comminution was a statistically significant predictor of plate failure, while male gender, open fracture pattern and a plate length greater than 12 holes were not seen as significant predictors. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Tank reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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