Delaying Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures beyond the Best Practice Guidelines Does Not Affect Final Outcome

Description

The VTT transcript presents a detailed overview of a study conducted by Vivek Panikkar, who is stepping in on behalf of a colleague. The focus of the study is on evaluating the timing of surgeries for patients with distal radius fractures and how it impacts their outcomes.\n\nPanikkar explains the discrepancies in timing guidelines provided by various organizations like BOAST and NICE for intra- and extra-articular fractures. He outlines the methodology of a retrospective study involving 100 patients, detailing the data collected, including demographics, timing of surgeries, physiotherapy, and outcome measures such as grip strength and range of motion.\n\nThe findings reveal that while many patients undergo surgery within recommended time frames, compliance with best practices is notably low, particularly for intra-articular fractures. Interestingly, the results indicate no significant difference in outcomes related to timing, challenging the necessity of the strict 72-hour guideline for surgeries. \n\nThe discussion touches on patient demographics, complications encountered in surgeries, and the potential for larger studies to provide further clarity on the matter. Through an audience Q&A session, Panikkar emphasizes the lack of evidence supporting the 72-hour standard, suggesting that a week might be more practical, particularly given the variations in healthcare settings. The conversation concludes with reflections on patient satisfaction and the importance of balancing surgical timing with outcome efficacy.

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