Comparison of intraoperative flat panel imaging and postoperative plain radiography for the detection of intraarticular screw displacement in volar distal radius plate ostheosynthesis

ObjectivesTo investigate if intraoperative 3D flat panel imaging improves the detection of radiocarpal intraarticular screw misplacement (RCSM) in comparison to standard postoperative x-ray.MethodsIn a study on cadaver specimens, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity to detect RCSM using X-ray, intraoperative 3D-fluoroscopy as well as the digital volume tomography. The gold standard reference was computed tomography.ResultsSensitivity for the detection of RCSM for X-ray was 58% and specificity 88%. For DVT, the sensitivity to detect RCSM was 88% and the specificity 53%. For 3D-fluoroscopy, the sensitivity for RCSM was 68% and specificity 95%. When combining the methods, the best performance was found, when combining the two intraoperative imaging methods, with a resulting sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 73%.ConclusionsIntraoperative 3D fluoroscopy and digital volume tomography appear to be at least as sensitive and specific to detect RCSM than the regular postoperative radiography in two planes. However, especially discrete screw misplacements can be missed with either method.Level of evidenceLevel IV. Diagnostic device study.