Extraphyseal distal radius fracture in children: is the cast always needed? A retrospective analysis comparing Epibloc system and K-wire pinning.

INTRODUCTION

Closed reduction and internal fixation are a widespread surgical treatment for pediatrics displaced extraphyseal distal radius fractures. Post-surgical cast immobilization is usually needed. Epibloc system (ES) is a device used to fix Colles fractures in adults, not requiring post-surgical immobilization. The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of ES in a pediatric population suffering from displaced extraphyseal distal radius fractures.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 52 patients (age 8-12 years) who underwent CRIF. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A (25 patients): ES osteosynthesis. Group B (27 patients): K-wires and short arm cast osteosynthesis. The primary outcome is the maintenance of reduction in radiographs (displacement on frontal and lateral view). The secondary outcome is the reaching of the complete active range of motion recovery (compared with the contralateral side) and the time needed to obtain it. The need of further additional treatment (physiotherapy) and the presence of complication were also assessed.

RESULTS

Reduction was equally maintained in both groups (p > 0.05). Physiotherapy was mandatory for 11 patients in group B; only for 3 patients in group A, the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.03) according to Fisher test. Otherwise, the difference was not statistically significant regarding complications. (p > 0.05). At the last follow-up, complete functional recovery was reached in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional recovery is faster, and postoperative physiotherapy is rarely required with ES. This device allows us to go beyond the traditional concept of mandatory postoperative immobilization after pediatric wrist fractures surgery.