PIN FIXATION FOR FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL RADIUS - A COMPARATIVE-STUDYBETWEEN THE PAPANDJI AND PY TECHNIQUES

Material 62 fractures of the distal radius were treated by pin fixatio n : Kapandji's intra focal pinning in 28 cases (Group << K >>) and Py' s elastic pinning in 34 cases (group << P >>). The two groups were com parable as to the type of fractures (Castaing classification). Theoret ical principles were analyzed and compared. Results Final radiographic results showed the same proportion (75 per cent) of anatomic reductio n in both groups. There were 21.4 per cent (6/28) hyporeductions in gr oup K, and 23.5 per cent (8/34) hypereductions in group P. Hyporeducti on was moderate with good functional results. Hypereduction in group P was often associated with bad functional results, 5 out of the 6 bad results of all the cases. The functional result, with a follow up of 7 months (4 to 10), was 76 per cent of excellent and good results, 85 p er cent in group K, 70 per cent in group P. Discussion Kapandji's tech nique seemed more reliable than Py's technique. We propose a technical variation to minimize hyporeduction in Kapandji's technic : increasin g the pin's angulation. Conclusion Py's technic conserves one indicati on : intra operative failure of Kapandji's technique in very osteoporo tic bone.