Minimally invasive hardware removal after minimally invasive distal radius plate osteosynthesis (MIPO): Feasibility study in a 388 case series

Hypothesis: The aim of the present study was to assess the technical feasibility of minimally invasive volar plate removal following distal radius fracture.

Material and methods: Three hundred and eighty-eight plates removed from 387 patients (357 females: mean age, 50 years) were assessed retrospectively. The incision used the primary minimally invasive approach and was closed after plate removal by intradermal continuous suture, without drainage or immobilization.

Results: Mean scar size was 22.2mm preoperatively, and the incision was 19.8mm at start and 21.4mm at end of procedure, these differences being non-significant. The scar was enlarged by accidental skin tear in 13 cases and intentionally by lancet in 11 cases. There were 29 screw-related complications, 1 bone crack without clinical impact, and 1 plate fracture. There were no postoperative complications.

Discussion: The present results demonstrate the feasibility of removing a volar plate on the distal radius via a 20-mm approach. These findings should be confirmed on a future study comparing minimally invasive plate ablation and conventional approaches.