J Korean Fract Soc.  2012 Jul;25(3):191-196.

Results of the Kapandji Procedure in the AO Type C Distal Radius Fracture in Patients over Age 60

• Kim CH
• Kim SS
• Lee MJ
• Kim HJ
• Kim BK
• Lim YH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of the Kapandji procedure in AO classification type C distal radius fracture patients over 60 years old.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-one type C distal radius fracture patients over the age of 60 years who were treated with the Kapandji procedure from June 2004 to June 2009 in our hospital and had a post-operative follow-up period of more than 1 year were enrolled. The volar tilt, radial inclination, and radial length were measured for the radiographic analysis using the modified Lidstrom scoring system about post-operative reduction loss in every follow-up radiogram. The clinical result was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS) and Korean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) score at the last follow-up.
RESULTS
The mean radiologic loss of volar tilt was 1.1degrees and the mean loss of radial length was 2.6 mm and the mean radial inclination loss was 2.7degrees compared with the immediate post-operative period and last follow-up period. The average VAS and DASH scores were 1.4 and 15.9.
CONCLUSION
The radiologic results of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning using the Kapandji technique for distal radius AO type C fracture patients over 60 years of age was not satisfactory. Nevertheless, the clinical results were satisfactory.

Keyword

Wrist; Distal radius fracture; AO type C; Old age; Kapandji technique

MeSH Terms

Arm
Follow-Up Studies
Hand
Humans
Surveys and Questionnaires
Radius
Radius Fractures
Shoulder
Wrist

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A 75-year-old female with unstable distal radius fracture was treated using a Kapandji technique. (A, B) Pre-operative radiographs and computed tomography scan show AO classification type C1 distal radius fracture. (C) Immediate postoperative radiographs show acceptable reduction and fixation. (D) On last follow-up after removal of K-wires, radiographs show changes in the radiologic indices that reflect reduction loss (radial length, volar tilting and radial inclination are 3.0 mm, 4.3° and 1.9°, respectively).

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