Surgical outcomes of closed forearm diaphyseal fracture treatment using locking compression plates at Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital

Tóm tắt

Background: Forearm diaphyseal fractures are common injuries requiring precise anatomical restoration. This study aims to describe the clinical and radiographic characteristics and evaluate the outcomes of surgical treatment for closed forearm diaphyseal fractures in adults using locking compression plates (LCP) at Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective and prospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 31 patients who underwent internal fixation with LCP at the Department of General Surgery, Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from January 2021 to June 2025. Results: The mean age was 44.5 ± 17.6 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 0.94. Traffic accidents were the primary cause (61.3%). The most common fracture site was the middle third (83.8%). The Thompson approach was predominantly used for the radius (83.9%), while the postero-medial approach was used for 100% of ulnar fractures. The mean operative time was 52.5 ± 6.5 minutes. Most cases utilized 6-hole locking plates (83.9% for the radius and 71.0% for the ulna). Primary wound healing was achieved in 96.7% of cases. Postoperative X-rays showed complete anatomical reduction in 90.3% of patients. At the end of the study, 96.8% of patients achieved good to excellent forearm rotation. Long-term outcomes according to Anderson’s criteria were: Excellent 90.3%, Good 6.5%, Fair 3.2%, with no poor results. No cases of pseudarthrosis or refracture after plate removal were recorded. Conclusion: Internal fixation with locking compression plates is an effective treatment for forearm diaphyseal fractures, providing excellent anatomical restoration and stable fixation that allows for early mobilization with a low complication rate.