Postsurgical complications following distal radius volar plating in a diabetic population at short-term follow-up

Daniel M. Koehler, Yubo Gao, Justin J. Guan, Ericka A. Lawler, Brian D. Adams, Apurva S. Shah

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of complications following operative treatment of lower extremity fractures. There is little published data establishing the impact of diabetes following surgical treatment of upper extremity fractures. This investigation aimed to compare the incidence of short-term postsurgical complications following volar locked plating of distal radius fractures in patients with and without diabetes. Methods: A retrospective matched cohort investigation of 33 diabetics matched 1:2 to 66 non-diabetics was performed, accounting for age, gender, fracture type, and smoking status. Electronic medical records and radiographs were reviewed for all major and minor postsurgical complications. Demographic characteristics, postoperative radiographic parameters, and final range of motion were also compared. Mean follow-up was 5.3 ± 8.2 and 5.5 ± 7.8 months for diabetics and non-diabetics, respectively. Results: The diabetic cohort had a significantly higher overall complication rate with 24 postsurgical complications affecting 12 patients (36 %) compared to 16 complications affecting 12 patients (18 %) in the non-diabetic cohort. There was no difference in the incidence of major complications requiring operative intervention. Minor complications were significantly more common in the diabetic group and were largely accounted for by peripheral neuritis with an incidence of 30 %. Final radiographic outcomes and range of motion were similar. Conclusions: Diabetics experienced a greater incidence of minor postsurgical complications following volar locked plating of distal radius fractures when compared to a matched, control population. The difference in outcomes is largely accounted for by the increased incidence of peripheral neuritis among diabetics. Diabetic patients should be counseled pre-operatively regarding their elevated risk profile.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)670-677
Number of pages8
JournalHand
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Distal radius fracture
  • Volar locked plating

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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