[Radiographic and functional results of plate of oxnamic ram compression versus plate of compression bolted in radial and cubital fractures].

OBJECTIVE

To determine if there are statistically significant differences in radiographic and functional outcome in postoperative patients with DCP (dynamic compression plate) vs. LCP (locking compression plate) in fractures radial and/or ulnar shaft.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Quasi-experimental, observational, longitudinal, comparative and prospective study, with patients surgically stabilized using the implants mentioned before with diaphyseal forearm fractures in the Balbuena General Hospital from September 1st to February 28th of 2005, with 2 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

22 patients were surgically stabilized with dynamic compression plate and 11 with locking compression plate, gender male in 88%, predominantly in 3rd life decade, earlier consolidation in the group of locking compression plate but with greater functional limitation. The differences decreased after 3 months and 6 months of clinical follow up, with no statistically significant differences at 2 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there are differences at the 1st and 3rd months of postoperative period, attributable to stability provided by each one of the implants, the beginning of mobilization and the soft-tissue handling, there are no statistically significant differences in the preliminary results at 6 months and finally at 2 years of follow-up. We consider that implants in study, even though of acting in a relatively different way, both of them are excellent alternatives of treatment in patients with forearm shaft fractures.