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CT virtual reality in the preoperative workup of malunited distal radius fractures: preliminary results

  • Musculoskeletal
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Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of CT virtual preoperative planning in the surgical repositioning of malunited distal radius fracture. Eleven patients with malunited distal radius fracture underwent multislice CT of both wrists. A preoperative workup was performed in a virtual reality environment created from the CT data sets. Virtual planning comprised three main procedures, carrying out the virtual osteotomy of the radius, prediction of the final position of the distal radius after osteotomy and computer-assisted manufacturing of a repositioning device, which was later placed at the surgical osteotomy site to reposition objectively the distal radius fragment before fixation with the osteosynthesis. All patients tolerated the surgical procedure well. During surgery, the orthopedic surgeons were not required in any of the cases to alter the position of the distal radius that was determined by the repositioning device. At postoperative follow-up, the anatomic relationship of the distal radius was restored (radial inclination, 21.4°; volar tilt, 10.3°; ulnar variance, 0.5 mm). Clinically, a significant improvement of pronation (P=0.012), supination (P=0.01), flexion (P=0.001) and extension (P=0.006) was achieved. Pain decreased from 54 to 7 points. CT virtual reality is a valuable adjunct for the preoperative workup and surgical reposition of malunited distal radius fractures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology I, Innsbruck University Hospital, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Michael Rieger, Hannes Gruber & Werner R. Jaschke

  2. Department of Trauma Surgery, Innsbruck University Hospital, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Markus Gabl

  3. Department of Radiology II, Innsbruck University Hospital, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Ammar Mallouhi

Authors
  1. Michael Rieger
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  2. Markus Gabl
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  3. Hannes Gruber
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  4. Werner R. Jaschke
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  5. Ammar Mallouhi
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Correspondence to Michael Rieger.

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Rieger, M., Gabl, M., Gruber, H. et al. CT virtual reality in the preoperative workup of malunited distal radius fractures: preliminary results. Eur Radiol 15, 792–797 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-004-2353-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-004-2353-x

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