Objective To compare the differences between volar and dorsal plate positions in the treatment of unstable fracture of distal radius. Methods From June 2000 to December 2006, 61 cases with fracture of distal radius weretreated, 27 males and 34 females aged 22-70 years (55.5 years on average), among which 18 cases were caused by traffic accidents and 43 cases falls. All cases were fresh closed fractures. All patients had AP and lateral X-ray films of the wrist preoperatively and 30 cases experienced CT scan. According to AO, there were 25 cases for B1, 18 for B2, 7 for B3, 7 for C1, and 4 for C2. All the cases were randomized into 2 groups: the wrist palmar group (group A, n=34) and dorsal group (group B, n=27), to perform volar and dorsal plate fixation, respectively. As to the measurement of fortune for the preoperative ruler and incl ination angle, group A were (—45.0 ± 53.0)º and (8.6 ± 3.1)º, respectively, and group B were (—40.0 ± 30.0)º and (7.3 ± 5.6)º, respectively. Preoperative radial shortened (12.0 ± 5.3) mm in group A, and (10.3 ± 4.2) mm in group B. Joint surface level was (4.3 ± 2.2) mm in group A, and (4.1 ± 3.3) mm in group B. Results All of the 61 cases were followed up for 6-27 months (16 months on verage). All the fractures were healed, the time to heal ing in group A was (8.2 ± 1.6) weeks, and in group B was (8.1 ± 1.2) weeks, and the difference was not significant (P gt; 0.05). As for the wrist function by Cartland-Werley scoring at the 8th week after operation, 7 cases were excellent, 10 good, and 17 poor in group A with the choiceness rate of 50.0%, while 7 cases were excellent, 11 good and 9 poor in group B with the choiceness rate of 66.7%. There was significant difference between the two groups (P lt; 0.01). And at the 24th week after operation, 21 cases were excellent, 9 good, and 4 poor in group A with the choiceness rate of 88.2%, while 18 cases were excellent, 5 good, and 4 poor in group B with the choiceness rate of 85.2%. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). As for radiological assessment by Sarmiento, device and palm incl ination angles in group A were (9.5 ± 3.1)º and (18.0 ± 8.2)º, respectively, and in group B were (11.0 ± 4.7) º and (16.0 ± 7.6)º, respectively. No radial shortening was found either in group A or in group B, and joint surface level in both groups were less than 1 mm. There was no significant difference between group A and group B in terms of all indicators postoperatively (P gt; 0.05), but there was significant difference when compared with preoperation (P lt; 0.001). With regard to comparison of postoperative compl ications between the two groups, there was no significant difference (P gt; 0.05) in early postoperative compl ications, but there was in long-term compl ications (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion The volar and dorsal plate positions may offer effective stabil ity for unstable distal radial fracture and early functional exercise. The volar plate position may influence the pronation function of the wris joint in the short run, while the dorsal plate position may cause more compl ications in the long run.
Objective To investigate and compare the effects of restoring and maintaining the cervical curvature and height of the fused segment by using three different anterior cervical plate systems. Methods From January 2002 to June 2004, 122 patients underwent anterior cervical decompression,autogenous iliac bone graft and plate fixation. Of the 122 patients (85 males, 37 females, aged 14-70), 37 underwent surgery involving the fixation with the Orion plate system, 39 with the Zephir plate system, and 46 with the Codman platesystem. The cervical curvature and height of the fused segment were measured onthe lateral X-ray films so as to compare the changes of the conditions preoperatively,1 week after surgery, and during the follow-up, and also to compare the difference among the three groups. Results The follow-up of the patients for 6-35 months (average 17.3 months) showed that all the patients developed the bone fusion 6 months after operation. There was a significant improvement in the cervical curvature and height of the fused segment before operation versus 1 week after operation（Plt;0.05）; however, there were no significant changes 1 week after operation versus during the followup in each group（Pgt;0.05）; there was no significant difference among the three groups（Pgt;0.05）. Conclusion The three plate systems can effectively reconstruct and maintain the cervical curvature and height of the fused segment, with a satisfactory effect in a short term.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of anterior cervical plate internal fixation in the treatment of unstable Hangman fracture. MethodsBetween May 2006 and May 2010, 42 patients with unstable Hangman fracture were treated by anterior cervical plate internal fixation. There were 30 males and 12 females with an average age of 36.5 years (range, 22-64 years). According to the Levine-Edwards classification, 25 cases were rated as type Ⅱ, 15 cases as type Ⅱ A, and 2 cases as type Ⅲ. Eight patients had spinal cord injury. The average interval between injury and operation was 5 days (range, 3-14 days). The X-ray, CT, and MRI were done pre-and post-operatively to evaluate the cervical physiological curvature, the intervertebral disc height of C2,3, the fracture-healing, and bone fusion. The effectiveness was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) for occipito-cervical pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI) for cervical spine function, and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score for neurological functional recovery. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention. No neurological deterioration or internal fixation failure was observed. All of the patients were followed up 2-5 years (mean, 3.5 years). The complications were dysdipsia in 3 cases and dysphagia in 4 cases, which alleviated spontaneously after 1 week. All the patients were almost free from occipito-cervical pain and the limited cervical spine motion. Neurological function was improved in 8 cases of spinal cord injury, and complete decompression was observed in 6 cases who had spinal cord compression. The bone fusion was observed at 6.5 months on average (range, 6-8 months); the mean fracture-healing time was 10.5 months (range, 9-12 months). The VAS, NDI, and JOA scores were significantly improved at 3 months after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05), significant improvement scores were achieved at last follow-up when compared with the scores at 3 months (P<0.05). The intervertebral disc height of C2,3, the reconstructed curvature and stability of the cervical spine, and the spine movement were good. ConclusionThe method of anterior cervical plate internal fixation can achieve satisfactory reduction and fusion, less complications, negligible impact on the cervical movement. So it is an ideal method to treat unstable Hangman fracture.