Volar buttress plate fixation: An effective and reliable option for Bennett’s fractures

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to demonstrate the volar plate fixation technique for fixing Bennett's fractures due to its buttress effect.

Patients and methods: The retrospective study included 10 patients (8 males, 2 females; mean age: 35.9±11.56 years; range, 17 to 51 years) who were treated using the volar plate fixation technique between January 2018 and August 2022. The postoperative functional scores of the patients were evaluated using the Q-DASH (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) score, and their pain status was evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). We also assessed fracture union and development of complications. We assessed opposition according to Kapandji grade and abduction of the thumb.

Results: The mean follow-up time was 16.6±2.91 (range, 12 to 21) months. The technique was performed on the right extremity in eight patients and on the left extremity in two patients. All patients were right-hand dominant. The VAS score was 1 in two cases and 0 in the other cases. The mean Q-DASH score was 1.36±2.44. The mean pinch strength was 6.4±0.89 kg, and the mean grasp strength was 18.8±3.52 kg on the injured side. The mean Kapandji grade of opposition was 9.3±0.82, while the mean abduction degree was 37.4±2.01.

Conclusion: Based on the early results of this technique, we conclude that volar plate fixation for Bennett’s fractures is reliable and allows for early motion, providing anatomical and stable joint reduction, and it does not have implant complications such as hardware irritation. However, fixation of small fragments may be particularly challenging.

Citation: Özdemir A, Şahin E, Durgut F, Acar MA. Volar buttress plate fixation: An effective and reliable option for Bennett’s fractures. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2024;35(1):177-185. doi: 10.52312/ jdrs.2023.1427.

The study protocol was approved by the Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine Local Ethics Committee (date: 18.07.2023, no: 2023/14). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

A written informed consent was obtained from the patients and/or parent of the patients.

Idea/concept: A.Ö., F.D.; Design: A.Ö., E.Ş.; Control/supervision: M.A.A.; Data collection and/or processing: A.Ö., M.A.A.; Analysis and/or interpretation: E.Ş., M.A.A.; Literature review, writing the article, references and fundings: A.Ö., F.D.; Critical review: E.Ş., M.A.A.; Materials: A.Ö.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.

The datasets generated or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to (within the scope of the personal data protection law applied in our country) but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.