Most surgeons still prefer to reduce overriding distal radius fractures in children

Background and purpose — Traditionally, overriding distal radius fractures in children have been reduced and immobilized with a cast or treated with percutaneous pin fixation. There is recent evidence that these fractures heal well if immobilized in the bayonet position without reduction. We evaluated the present treatment of these fractures. Methods — A questionnaire including AP and lateral radiographs of overriding distal radius fractures in 3 pre-pubertal children was answered by 213 surgeons from 28 countries. The surgeons were asked to choose their preferred method of treatment (no reduction, reduction, reduction and osteosynthesis), type and length of cast immobilization, and the number of clinical and radiographic follow-ups. Results — Of the 213 participating surgeons, 176 (83%) would have reduced all 3 presented fractures, whereas 4 (2%) would have treated all 3 children with cast immobilization without reduction. Most reductions (77%) would have been done under general anesthesia. Over half (54%) of the surgeons who preferred anesthesia would have fixed (pins 99%, plate 1%) the fractures. An above-elbow splint or circular cast was chosen in 84% of responses, and the most popular (44%) length of immobilization was 4 weeks. Surgeons from the Nordic countries were more eager to fix the fractures (54% vs. 31%, p < 0.001) and preferred shorter immobilization and follow-up times and less frequent clinical and radiological follow-ups compared with their colleagues from the USA. Interpretation — Most of the participating surgeons prefer to reduce overriding distal radius fractures in children under anesthesia. There is substantial lack of agreement on the indications for osteosynthesis, type of cast, length of immobilization, and follow-up protocol.