Author/Editor		Mikek, M; Vidmar, G; Tonin, M; Pavlovčič, V
Title		Fracture-related and implant-specific factors influencing treatment results of comminuted diaphyseal forearm fractures without bone grafting
Type		članek
Source		Arch Orthop Trauma Surg
Vol. and No.		Letnik 124
Publication year		2004
Volume		str. 393-400
Language		eng
Abstract		Recommendations regarding the application of primary autologous bone grafting in the surgical treatment of comminuted diaphyseal forearm fractures are conflieting. Some recent studies suggested that there is no difference in the union rate betwecn simple and comminuted forearm fractures and that the use of bone grafting in the treatment of these fractures is therefore not necessary. Our hypothesis was that among comminuted forearm fractures there is a small group of fractures with a very large extent of comminution that heal with a significantly lower union rate and a prolonged time to union compared with other fractures. We believe that in these fractures bone grafting could help to reduce the time to union and further decrease the rate of nonunion. Materials and methods: We reviewed the results of the treatment of 214 consecutive patients who sustained 319 diaphyseal fractures of forearm bones. To prove our hypothesis, union rate and time to union in fractures with different extents of comminution were compared. All fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with plates without the use of bone grafting. In addition, the study evaluated other factors that could influence The union rate and time to union in observed fractures. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Descriptors		FOREARM INJURIES DIAPHYSES FRACTURES, COMMINUTED PSEUDARTHROSIS BONE TRANSPLANTATION FRACTURE HEALING TREATMENT OUTCOME