The comparative risk of developing postoperative complications in patients with distal radius fractures following different treatment modalities

19 randomized control trials comparing various methods of treatment for distal radius fractures were included in this network meta-analysis. The purpose of the study was to compare techniques in terms of their complication rates for carpal tunnel syndrome, pin-track infection, and complex regional pain syndrome. The odds of developing carpal tunnel syndrome or complex regional pain syndrome were insignificantly different between treatments. The odds of developing a pin-track infection were highest in the non-bridging external fixation group, with significantly lower odds seen in plaster fixation, dorsal plating, volar plating, and the lowest odds seen in dorsal-and-volar plating. Cluster analyses consistently found plaster fixation to provide the lowest risk of complications compared to other treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome and pin-track infection.