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.