[Transfixation upper arm plaster bandage for treatment of comminuted fractures of the distal radius]

Thirty-five comminuted fractures of the distal radius in 34 patients were reduced by manipulation and pins, then immobilised with plaster. The Kirschner wires were inserted into the first metacarpal and the olecranon. In five cases, problems with the proximal pin occurred. A clinical and radiological examination could be done in 21 patients three to nineteen years after the accident. Using the demerit-point-system of Gartland and Werley, the result was excellent in three patients, good in nine, and fair in nine; there were no poor results. After careful retrospective consideration of treatment alternatives for these comminuted distal radial fractures, there remain the following indications for pins and plaster: 1. selected cases treated by surgeons experienced with the method, 2. as an emergency procedure when an external fixator seems to be indicated but is not available.