Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40353854›Full record

ReviewEuropean journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society2025

Evolving fracture management: the role of helical plating in orthopaedic trauma surgery - a narrative review.

Moritz Kraus, Boyko Gueorguiev, Tatjana Pastor, Ivan Zderic, Mark Lenz, Matthias Knobe, Frank J P Beeres, R Geoff Richards, Hans-Christoph Pape, Torsten Pastor

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Periprosthetic fractures of the knee.EFORT open reviews · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
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

10 authors.

Moritz KrausAO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland. moritz.kraus@usz.ch.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6488-1009
Boyko GueorguievAO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9795-115X
Tatjana PastorAO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3440-5615
Ivan ZdericAO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0484-887X
Mark LenzDepartment of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.
Matthias KnobeDepartment of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Westmuensterland Hospital, Ahaus, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9166-0965
Frank J P BeeresDepartment of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, 6002, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7277-3438
R Geoff RichardsAO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7778-2480
Hans-Christoph PapeDepartment of Trauma, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2059-4980
Torsten PastorAO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4357-236X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis narrative review systematically compiles and analyzes existing literature on the use of helical plates in orthopaedic trauma surgery. By synthesizing data across various study types, it provides a comprehensive overview of the biomechanical characteristics, clinical outcomes, and anatomical advantages of helical plating.

methodsA systematic search was performed using PubMed and Web of Science databases, employing defined search terms to identify relevant studies. Single case reports were excluded, while structured case series were included. Retrieved studies were categorized into five groups: simulation studies, biomechanical studies, case series, clinical comparative studies, and anatomical studies.

resultsThe review identified studies from 1992 to 2023, with most of the research focusing on the femur (7 studies) and humerus (6 studies). Biomechanical studies (7) were the most common, followed by clinical case series (7), comparative studies (4), and finite element analyses (3). European institutions contributed to the majority of research, with additional studies from Asia and South America. No randomized controlled trials were found. Helical plates demonstrated comparable stability to straight plates, with distinct biomechanical advantages: superior torsional resistance in femoral fractures and improved neurovascular safety in humeral fractures.

conclusionHelical plates offer a viable alternative to straight plates in long bone fractures, particularly for protecting neurovascular structures. Optimal designs vary by location, with 45° helical plates recommended for humeral minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis, 180° helical plates for young patients with femoral fractures, and 90° helical plates in geriatric double plating constructs. Further high-quality research is needed to establish definitive clinical guidelines.

Indexed as

Bone PlatesFemoral FracturesFracture Fixation, InternalFractures, BoneHumeral FracturesAcute Care SurgeryBiomechanical PhenomenaHumansBiomechanicsDistal femoral shaft fracturesHelical platingHumeral shaft fracturesLong bone fracturesNerve damage prevention

Identifiers

PMID40353854
PMCPMC12069148

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.