A Clinical Study of Colles' Fracture Treated by Closed Reduction and Sugar Tong Splint

Yoon, Byung Hwa; Lee, Han Koo; Seo, Byung Ho

Abstract

We analyze ninty-seven cases of Colles fractures treated with closed reduction and sugar tong splint immobilization and followed for more than 1 year at Seoul National University from January 1981 to Decmber 1985. The results of this study were as follows; l. All of 97 cases were closed fractures and the incidence was high in females who aged over 6th decades. The main cause of this injury was slipping down accident comprising of 68.0%. 2. 63 cases (64.9%) were simple extra-articular fractures, and 34 cases (35.1%) were comminuted intra-articular fractures. 3. In a group of simple extra-articular fracture the functional end result was satisfactory in 88.9%, so closed reduction and sugar tong splint were thought to be a good procedure in this group. 4. In a group of comminuted intra-articular fracture the functional end result was satisfactory in 58.9% only. In the cases which show unacceptable loss of position during first two weeks of routine sugar tong splint immobilization we feel another technique is indicated, such as.pin and plaster immobilization or percutaneous pinning. 5. The main cause of unsatisfactory result was malunion, which was produced by loss of reduction position.