Abstract

ALVAREZ LOPEZ, Alejandro  and  GARCIA LORENZO, Yenima. External fixation in distal radius fracture. AMC [online]. 2017, vol.21, n.4, pp.546-556. ISSN 1025-0255.

Background: fracture of the distal radius is a common traumatic entity. Treatment may be conservative or surgical, and one of the surgical modalities is external fixation based on its advantages. Objective: to deep and update about the knowledge of patients with fractures of the distal radius. Methods: a search in the databases PubMed, Hinari, SciELO and Medline was done through the information locator EndNote by using the words fractures of the distal radius and wrist fracture resulting in a total of 1507 articles which 55 of them selected for review, 53 of them in the last five years, including seven books. Development: radiographic criteria in regards to acceptable reduction were described, also as general surgical indications and mainly those related to external fixation. The two types of external fixation were pointed out, as well as their mains indications. Factor related to further instability were described, also as complications, advantages and disadvantages of external fixation in relation to internal fixation by volar plates. Conclusions: external fixation is an effective method for patients with fractures of the distal radius, because of its easy application; good reduction and alignment are obtained despite either of the two types of external fixators. Complications are few, among them pin tract infections are the most common. On the other hand, functional results are similar between external fixation and internal fixation by volar plates.

Keywords : RADIUS FRACTURES [surgery]; RADIUS FRACTURES [therapy]; EXTERNAL FIXATORS; TREATMENT OUTCOME; REVIEW LITERATURE AS TOPIC.

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