A Comparison of Pronator Quadratus Preservation and Dissection Approaches for Volar Plating of Comminuted Intra-articular Distal Radius Fracture

Abstract

Purpose Although the pronator quadratus (PQ) preservation approach for volar plating of distal radius fracture has been commonly used recently, its superiority to the conventional PQ dissection approach, especially for comminuted intra-articular distal radius fractures, has not been well established. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of PQ preservation for comminuted intra-articular fractures and to evaluate the healed PQ during hardware removal surgery. Materials and Methods From January 2014 to March 2019, 86 patients who underwent both volar plating for AO Foundation/Orthopedic Trauma Association classification type C2 or C3 distal radius fractures and subsequent hardware removal were assessed in this study. Radiographic measurements, clinical outcomes at each follow-up, and the integrity of healed PQ during hardware removal were compared between the PQ dissection (group D) and PQ preservation (group P) groups. Results Complete union with acceptable reduction on radiographic measurements was achieved in both groups. Group P showed a statistically significant earlier recovery of clinical outcomes at 2 weeks and 1 month postoperatively and improved anatomical restoration of PQ muscle covering the plate, which was identified during hardware removal surgery. Flexor tendon rupture was identified in 2 patients (5%) and tenosynovitis in 6 patients (14%) in group D; no patient had flexor tendon rupture (0%), and 2 patients (5%) had tenosynovitis in group P. Conclusions Pronator quadratus preservation approach for volar plating is easily applicable and useful even for comminuted intra-articular distal radius fractures and is helpful for earlier restoration of wrist function and in preventing flexor tendon problems in the latter postoperative period.