How effective is skyline view for avoiding dorsal cortex penetration in volar plate fixation of intra-articular and dorsal cortex comminuted distal radius fractures.

Abstract

The incidence of osteosynthesis is increased by volar anatomic plate used for treatment of distal radius fractures and this increases the incidence of wrist extensor tendon irritation, a postoperative complication of the aforementioned surgical technique. The purpose of this study; was to evaluate the intraoperative skyline view which is commonly used to prevent dorsal cortex penetration of distal screws during the surgical treatment of intra-articular distal radius fractures with comminuted dorsal cortex with CT (computed tomography) scanning to determine its effectiveness. In the literature review, no other study focused on similar fracture types was found. 52 patients with a minimum follow-up of 13 months were included in the study. These patients were operated by two different national board certified surgeons. One of the surgeons unlike the other, adopted intraoperative skyline view method. X-ray and CT scans which were performed preoperative and postoperative first day, were evaluated by a senior author with a blind evaluation method. Fractures were classified according to AO/OTA (Orthopaedic Trauma Association) classification and postoperative dorsal cortex penetrations were registered. Intra-articular distal radius fractures with comminuted dorsal cortex (AO/OTA 2R3C2, C3) were detected in 25 of the patients and no significant difference between two groups for the distribution of these patients was found. The CT scan of 14 patients showed dorsal cortex screw penetration and this rate was significantly higher in the group, in which intraoperative skyline view was not used (p > 0,05). In the postoperative CT examination, the most common dorsal cortex penetration was related to the 4th distal screw (42.9%) which were inserted the nearest ulnar hole of plate. The insertion of a distal screw 2 mm (millimeter) shorter than the length measured with the help of skyline view is considered to be a more effective method than other intraoperative methods for preventing dorsal cortex penetration. In addition, more comprehensive studies are required in order to recommend the mono-cortex fixation, in which distal screws measuring 4 mm shorter are used.