Adverse Events After Surgical Treatment of Adult Diaphyseal Forearm Fractures: a Retrospective Analysis of 470 Patients

BACKGROUND: The incidence of and risk factors for adverse events after internal fixation of diaphyseal forearm fractures have not been well defined in the current literature. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of adverse events after diaphyseal forearm fracture surgery in adults and explore potential risk factors for adverse events. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter, cohort study in which we evaluated all diaphyseal forearm fractures between 2009 and 2019 in patients presenting to 4 trauma hospitals in southern Finland. Patients <16 years of age and fracture-dislocations were excluded. There were 470 patients included in this study. Patient records were evaluated to identify and analyze adverse events. RESULTS: There were 202 patients with both-bone fractures, 164 patients with isolated ulnar fractures, and 104 patients with isolated radial fractures. In total, 146 patients (31%) experienced an adverse event; 83 (18%) had major adverse events (persistent or requiring surgical intervention). The patients underwent procedures performed by 185 different surgeons. The median number of operations for a single surgeon was 2 (range, 1 to 12). The most common major adverse events were plate and screw-related issues (6%), nonunion (5%), persistent nerve injuries (4%), and refractures (4%). Higher body mass index, Gustilo-Anderson type-II open fractures, both-bone fractures, isolated radial fractures, and operations performed by junior residents were found to be risk factors for adverse events in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Adverse events after diaphyseal forearm fracture surgery are common. We recommend concentrating these operations in a limited team of surgeons and restricting inexperienced surgeons from operating on these fractures without supervision. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.