Distance of the fracture from the radiocarpal surface in childhood: does it determine surgical technique? A retrospective clinical study

Abstract Unstable distal metaphyseal and dia-metaphyseal fractures of the radius may have treated with a variety of operative techniques, Kirschner wires (K-wires), dorsally inserted titanium elastic stable intramedullary nailing (DESIN), and short titanium elastic stable intramedullary nailing (SESIN) in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical and radiographic outcomes between these methods. Between January 2009 and December 2017 196 children were treated for forearm fractures in the distal third of the distal radius. Gender of the patients, different types of surgical techniques, number of postoperative X-rays, date of metal removal and degree of axis deviation after the metal removal were studied. Distance of the fracture line from the radiocarpal surface, the width of the distal epiphysis of the radius, and the cumulative width of the distal epiphysis of the ulna and radius were analyzed. Out of the 196 children, stabilization of the fracture was achieved by K-wire in 139, by DESIN in 44, and by SESIN in 13 patients. The average time of metal removal was significantly shorter (3.8 months), following stabilization with K-wire. In children treated with K-wire, axial deviation of <5° was seen in 118 patients, 5° to 10° deviation in 15 patients, while deviation was above 10° in 6 children. In the DESIN group, <5° axial deviation was found in 37 patients and 5° to 10° in seven patients. In all 13 children treated with SESIN, axial deviation was measured to be <5°. The fracture distance from the radiocarpal surface was on average 23.7 and 45.6 mm in the children treated with K-wire and DESIN, respectively. Fracture distance from the radiocarpal surface might determine the type of surgical technique required. If the distance of the fracture line is less than the width of the distal radius, osteosynthesis with a K-wire is recommended, while if the distance of the fracture is more than the cumulative width of the radius and the ulna, then DESIN may provide better results. The use of SESIN may be indicated when the area of the growth plate is injured.