Distal radius fixation through a mini-invasive approach of 15 mm. Part 1: feasibility study.

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of a mini-approach for distal radius volar plating. A 15-mm incision was made in 11 cadaver wrists. A 41 mm length and 24 mm width plate was placed deep to the pronator quadratus then fixed using 2 K-wires. The 2 central epiphyseal screws were placed before pin removal, the lateral screws followed and finally the proximal ones. The number of control views needed was on average 1.9 mm, and the position of the plate was good in 10 cases and average in 1 case. The size of the incision after the operation was on average 16.3 mm. No complications were found. Our results show that volar plate fixation of distal radius fracture is feasible through a 15 mm approach. This approach is esthetic, respects noble structures and facilitates reduction due to ligamentotaxis.