Journal List > J Korean Soc Surg Hand > v.20(4) > 1106498

Lee and Kang: Comparison of Locking versus Dynamic Compression Plates for Treatment of Diaphyseal Forearm Fracture

Abstract

Purpose:

To compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes of internal fixation using locking compression plate (LCP) or limited contact-dynamic compression plate (DCP) for patients with diaphyseal forearm fractures.

Methods:

Forty-four patients with diaphyseal forearm fractures treated with either LCP (22 patients) or DCP (22 patients) were compared in regards to clinical outcomes, range of motion and Grace and Eversmann criteria at the last follow-up. Union rate and mean time to radiological union were also compared depending on comminution.

Results:

Mean range of motion and Grace and Eversmann criteria between two groups did not show significant differences. Bony union was achieved in all patients. Although mean time to union was not different in simple fractures (15.5 weeks in LCP group vs. 13.8 weeks in DCP group), it was different between two groups in mutifragmentary fractures (14.8 weeks in LCP groups vs. 24 weeks in DCP group).

Conclusion:

Internal fixation using both LCP and DCP for diaphyseal forearm fractures yield satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes. In multifragmen-tary fractures, LCP can shorten radiologic union time than using DCP.

References

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Fig. 1.
(A) Anatomic forearm midshaft locking plate system (Acumed, Hillsboro, OR, USA). (B) AO 3.5 LC-DCP (Synthes, Eimattstrasse, Oberdorf, Switzerland). AO, Association for Osteosynthesis; LC-DCP, limited contact dynamic compression plate.
jkssh-20-168f1.tif
Fig. 2.
(A) The preoperative radiograph of a 58-year-old male shows displaced and multifragmentary forearm both bone fracture. (B) At 4 months after operation using locking compression plate (LCP), fracture shows complete union.
jkssh-20-168f2.tif
Fig. 3.
(A) The preoperative radiograph of a 60-year-old female show displaced and simple forearm both bone fracture after a traffic accident. (B) At 3 months after operation using LC-DCP, fracture shows complete union. LC-DCP, limited contact dynamic compression plate.
jkssh-20-168f3.tif
Table 1.
Distribution of patient, sex, age
Variable LCP LC-DCP
Patients 22 22
Sex (male:female) 18:04 14:08
Follow-up (mo) 16 (12-22) 34 (12-47)
Age (yr) 35.4 (18-80) 45.2 (18-69)

LCP, locking compression plate; LC-DCP, limited contact dynamic compression plate.

Table 2.
Distribution of patients according to fractured bone
Variable LCP LC-DCP
Ulnar 5 3
Radius 4 2
Ulnar and radius 13/13 17/17
Total 35 39

LCP, locking compression plate; LC-DCP, limited contact dynamic compression plate.

Table 3.
Individual cases
AO/ASIF classification Ulnar Radius
Simple fracture (type A)
  LCP 7 10
  LC-DCP 12 13
Multifragmentary fracture (type B, C)
  LCP 11 7
  LC-DCP 7 7
Total
  LCP 18 17
  LC-DCP 19 20

AO/ASIF, Association for Osteosynthesis/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation; LCP, locking compression plate; LC-DCP, limited contact dynamic compression plate.

Table 4.
Evaluation of the forearm function (by Grace and Eversmann)
Excellent Union of tde fracture
At least, 90% of the normal arc of rotation of the forearm
Good Union of the fracture
At least, 80% of the normal arc of rotation of the forearm
Acceptable Union of the fracture
A minimum of 60% of the normal rotation
Unacceptable Either nonunion of the fracture or less than 60% of the normal rotation
Table 5.
Clinical results according to Grace and Eversmann
Variable LCP LC-DCP
Excellent 19 18
Good 3 4
Acceptable 0 0
Unacceptable 0 0

LCP, locking compression plate; LC-DCP, limited contact dynamic compression plate.

Table 6.
Bone union period according to fracture type and implant type
AO/ASIF classification Ulnar (wk) Radius (wk) Total (wk)
Simple fracture (type A)
  LCP 17.3 14.2 15.5
  LC-DCP 14.5 11.6 13.8
Multifragmentary fracture (type B, C)
  LCP 14.9 14.7 14.8
  LC-DCP 25.2 22.7 24
Total (type A, B, C)
  LCP 16.3 14.4 15.1
  LC-DCP 19.1 17.1 17.5

AO/ASIF, Association for Osteosynthesis/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation; LCP, locking compression plate; LC-DCP, limited contact dynamic compression plate.

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