Table 1.
Study characteristics
| Study | Method | Location | Surgeon experience | Participants | Mean age (years; SD) | Fracture types in PKW group (AO classification) | Fracture types in VLP group (AO classification) | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rozental et al. 2009 [37] | Parallel group, randomized controlled trial | USA | Fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeons | 45 total; 22 PKW, 21 VLP 2/22 (9%) required external fixation in PP group |
PKW: 51 (NR), range, 19–77 VLP: 52 (NR), range, 24–79 |
A2: 4 A3: 2 C1: 6 C2: 9 |
A2: 2 A3: 8 C1: 2 C2: 11 |
DASH (3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 1 year) Wrist ROM Digit motion Grip strength Pinch strength Patient satisfaction Return to work Radiographic outcomes Complications |
| Marcheix et al. 2010 [29] | Parallel group, randomized controlled trial | France | NR | 103 total; 53 PKW, 50 VLP No external fixation |
PKW: 73 (11) VLP: 75 (11) |
A2: 1 A3: 22 C2: 23 C3: 6 |
A2: 0 A3: 17 C2: 25 C3: 8 |
DASH (12 weeks, 26 weeks) Herzberg score Wrist ROM Radiographic outcomes Complications |
| Hollevoet et al. 2011 [18] | Parallel group, randomized controlled trial | Belgium | University hospital surgeon (either consultants or trainees supervised by consultants) | 40 total; 20 PKW, 20 VLP No external fixation |
PKW: 66 (NR) VLP: 67 (NR) |
Frequencies by AO type NR 7 extraarticular, 13 intraarticular |
Frequencies by AO type NR 11 extraarticular, 9 intraarticular |
DASH (3 months, 1 year) Wrist ROM Grip strength Radiographic outcomes Complications |
| McFadyen et al. 2011 [30] | Parallel group, randomized controlled trial | United Kingdom | Senior orthopaedic consultant for most cases (74% VLP; 62% PKW). Trainees or associate specialists for other cases | 56 total; 29 PKW, 27 VLP No external fixation |
PKW: 65 (NR), range, 18–80 VLP: 61 (NR), range, 26–80 |
Only Type A fractures, frequencies NR | Only Type A fractures, frequencies NR | QuickDASH (3 months, 6 months) Gartland and Werley score Wrist ROM Grip strength Radiographic outcomes Complications |
| Karantana et al. 2013 [21] | Parallel group, randomized controlled trial | United Kingdom | Senior orthopaedic consultant surgeons from tertiary center | 130 total; 64 PKW, 66 VLP 11/64 (17%) required external fixation in PP group |
PKW: 51 (16) VLP: 48 (15) |
A3: 28 C2: 30 C3: 6 |
A3: 27 C2: 37 C3: 2 |
QuickDASH (6 weeks, 12 weeks, 1 year) PEM EQ-5DTM Wrist ROM Grip strength Radiographic outcomes Complications |
| Goehre et al. 2014 [12] | Parallel group, randomized controlled trial | United Kingdom | Experienced senior orthopaedic surgeons | 40 total; 19 PKW; 21 VLP No external fixation |
PKW: 73.8 (8.9) VLP: 71.3 (5.7) |
A2: 6 A3: 9 C1: 4 |
A2: 4 A3: 14 C1: 3 |
DASH (3 months, 6 months, 12 months) PRWE Castaing score Wrist ROM Grip strength Radiographic outcomes Complications |
| Costa et al. 2014 [5] | Parallel group, randomized controlled trial | United Kingdom | Multiple surgeons from multiple different centers (68% had performed > 20 prior VLPs; 74% had performed > 20 prior PKWs) | 461 total; 230 PKW; 231 VLP No external fixation |
PKW: 59.7 (16.4) VLP: 58.3 (14.9) |
A2: 73 A3: 84 B1: 1 B2: 1 B3: 1 C1: 33 C2: 26 C3: 7 |
A2: 73 A3: 78 B1: 4 B2: 1 B3: 0 C1: 30 C2: 34 C3: 11 |
DASH (12 months) PRWE EQ-5DTM Complications |
PKW = percutaneous K-wires; VLP = volar locking plate; PP = percutaneous pins; NR = not reported; PEM = Patient Evaluation Measure; PRWE = Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation.