An evaluation of operative management of displaced volar Barton's fractures using volar locking plate.

Volar Barton's fractures are common but more convincing treatment methods are still controversial. Malunion can cause serious disability. Twenty-six consecutive patients were treated with open reduction Internal fixation using volar locking plate. Records of 21 cases were available for follow-up for a mean period of 18 months (range 12-34 months). All 21 fractures healed within 8 to 14 weeks (mean 9.3 weeks). The wrist function was satisfactory in 90.4% cases (19 out of 21 patients). This surgical technique can provide high success rate. Locking plate has better efficacy in terms of immediate stability, maintaining anatomic reduction and early mobilisation.