BACKGROUND To compare the outcomes after surgical intervention, including external fixation (EF) with the optional addition of K-pins or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with a volar locking plate (VLP), in patients with distal radius fracture aged > 80 years. METHODS We reviewed 69 patients with a distal radius fracture aged > 80 years who treated under surgical intervention from 2011 to 2017 retrospectively. Their demographic data and complications were recorded. Preoperative, postoperative, and last follow-up plain films were analyzed. The functional outcomes of wrist range of motion were also evaluated. RESULTS 41 patients were treated with EF with the optional addition of K-pins, while 28 patients were treated with ORIF with a VLP. The radiological parameters, including ulnar variance and radial inclination, at the last follow-up were significantly more acceptable in the VLP group (p = 0.01, p = 0.03, respectively). The forearm supination was significantly better in patients treated with VLP (p = 0.002). The overall incidence of complications was lower in the VLP group (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION VLP provides better radiological outcomes, wrist supination and lower complication rates than EF. Therefore, although EF is still widely used because of its acceptable results and easy application, we recommend VLP as a suitable treatment option for distal radius fracture in the geriatric population aged > 80 years.

中文翻译：

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80岁以上老年桡骨远端骨折手术疗效：外固定支架与锁定钢板的比较

背景 比较年龄 > 80 岁的桡骨远端骨折患者进行手术干预后的结果，包括可选添加 K 针的外固定 (EF) 或使用掌侧锁定钢板 (VLP) 的切开复位内固定 (ORIF)年。方法 我们回顾性分析了 2011 年至 2017 年接受手术治疗的 69 例年龄 > 80 岁的桡骨远端骨折患者。记录了他们的人口统计数据和并发症。分析术前、术后和末次随访平片。还评估了手腕运动范围的功能结果。结果 41 名患者接受了可选添加 K 针的 EF 治疗，而 28 名患者接受了带有 VLP 的 ORIF 治疗。最后一次随访时，VLP 组的放射学参数（包括尺骨方差和桡骨倾斜度）明显更容易接受（分别为 p = 0.01、p = 0.03）。接受 VLP 治疗的患者前臂旋后明显改善 (p = 0.002)。VLP 组的并发症总体发生率较低 (p = 0.003)。结论 与 EF 相比，VLP 提供更好的放射学结果、腕部旋后和更低的并发症发生率。因此，尽管EF因其可接受的结果和易于应用而仍被广泛使用，但我们推荐VLP作为80岁以上老年人群桡骨远端骨折的合适治疗选择。