Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33980198›Full record

SynthesisBMC musculoskeletal disorders2021

Volar locking plate versus external fixation for unstable distal radius fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.

Qi Gou, Xiong Xiong, Dan Cao, Yuanliang He, Xu Li

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
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  8. Outcomes of Distal Radius Fractures: A Comparison Between Fellowship-Trained Trauma and Hand Orthopaedic Surgeons.Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2025
    Article
  9. Review
  10. Article
  11. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Qi Gou *Department of Orthopedics, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, 610100, Chengdu, China.
Xiong Xiong *Department of Orthopedics, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, 610100, Chengdu, China.
Dan CaoDepartment of Anesthesiology, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, 610100, Chengdu, China.
Yuanliang HeDepartment of Orthopedics, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, 610100, Chengdu, China. yuanlianghe88@126.com.
Xu LiDepartment of Orthopedics, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, 610100, Chengdu, China. lixu1988med@126.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe outcomes for volar locking plate (VLP) and external fixation (EF) in distal radius fracture cases remain controversial. The current study of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to assess VLP and EF, which might benefit distal radius fracture cases.

methodsRCTs comparing VLP and EF in distal radius fracture cases, until 18 March 2020, were systematically reviewed and summarized. The functional and radiographic outcomes, together with complications, for distal radius fracture cases, were evaluated.

resultsIn total, 12 studies comprising 1205 distal radius fracture cases were included. The VLP group had observed lower disability in the arm shoulder and hand score (DASH) at 3rd, 6th, and 12th -month post-operation, with the mean differences (MDs) of - 10.43 (95 % CI = - 15.77 to - 5.08, P < 0.01), - 3.48 (95 % CI = - 6.37 to - 0.59, P = 0.02), and - 4.13 (95 % CI = - 6.94 to - 1.33, P < 0.01), respectively. The VLP group also had lower visual analog scale scores (VAS) compared to the EF group, with MDs of - 0.10 (95 % CI = - 0.18 to - 0.03, P < 0.01) for the former at 6th -month post-operation. Also, the EF group exhibited better grip strength than that in the VLP group, with MD of 12.48 (95 % CI = 7.00-17.95, P < 0.01) at the 3rd month and 4.54 (95 % CI = 0.31-8.76, P = 0.04) at 6th month. No significant differences in radiographic outcomes were observed between the VLP and EF groups (P > 0.05). The VLP group had a lower complication rate than that in the EF group.

conclusionsVLP had a lower DASH score and VAS score but with lower grip strength. No significant differences in radiographic outcomes were observed. VLP had a lower complication rate than that of EF.

Indexed as

Radius FracturesBone PlatesFracture FixationFracture Fixation, InternalHand StrengthHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRange of Motion, ArticularTreatment OutcomeDistal radius fracturesExternal fixationMeta-analysisPutcomeRCTsVolar locking plates

Identifiers

PMID33980198
PMCPMC8117612

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.