Abstract
ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare different screw lengths combined with different fluoroscopic views to detect intraoperative dorsal screw penetration in distal radius fractures treated with volar locked plating. Material and methodsFrom April 2014 to October 2018, one hundred and eighty patients were included. We divided the patients into four groups. Intraoperative AP and lateral views were taken and sizes of the screws were chosen based on actual measurement (Group A, 45 patients). AP, lateral and tangential views were taken and sizes of the screws were also chosen based on actual measurement (Group B, 45 patients). Intraoperative AP and lateral views were taken and the selected screws were 2mm shorter than actual measurement (Group C, 45 patients). AP, lateral and tangential views were taken and the selected screws were 2mm shorter than actual measurement (Group D, 45 patients). Prominent screws were changed intraoperatively according to each view. A computed tomography (CT) was taken postoperatively to identify residual prominent screws. ResultsThe number of dorsally prominent screws exceeding 1mm was 6 of 301 in Group A (2.0%), 15 of 290 (5.2%) in Group B, 2 of 289 in Group C (0.7%), and 2 of 282 (0.7%) in Group D. All these prominent screws (25 screws) were exchanged for shorter screws during surgery. Group A and Group B had significant difference in detecting intraoperative dorsal screw penetration (p<0.05). Group C and Group D had no significant difference in detecting intraoperative dorsal screw penetration (p>0.05). Postoperative CT identified 12 additional prominent screws with≥1mm dorsal penetration in Group A, 2 screws in Group B, 1 screw in Group C and 0 screw in Group B respectively. Significant difference was found between Group A and Group B of CT results (p<0.05) while no statistical difference was found between Group C and Group D of CT results (p>0.05). DiscussionsTangential view helped identify screw penetration. If tangential view was not available intraoperatively, screw penetration could also be avoided by downsizing the distal locking screw by 2mm shorter than actual measurement.
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