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Introduction: Fractures of the distal third of the radius are frequently encountered in emergency services. Until recently considered as benign, however, they represent a group of numerous therapeutic problems, as debated in anatomical, radiological and clinical studies., Objective: To emphasize the importance of recovering the radial distance and the articular congruence in fractures of radius treated with a cast., Hypothesis: To demonstrate that ligamentotaxis obtained with the application of the Cole-Obletz technique is a good method for treatment of distal radius fractures that have a component of impaction, extra or intra-articular lesion, a combination of both., Material and Methods: A retrospective study was realized on 10 patients with fractures of the distal radius, between February 2005 and February 2006, including adult patients of both genders. All patients received the Cole-Obletz method and were evaluated by antero-posterior and lateral wrist simple X-rays. According to Frykman classification, we compaired results in the immediate post-reduction X-rays with the results obtained at one month of treatment. Three different radiographic measures were evaluated: radius distance, inclination and volar tilt of the radius., Results: We evaluated a group of 10 patients (80% female), with mean age of 52 years-old (24-79). Thirty percent of the patients (30%) presented a type VIII fracture, fourty percent a type VII fracture, and one patient for types V, IV, and II fractures, respectively. Articular congruence was achieved in the 80% of patients until full consolidation, in 10% of the patients only a 50% of radius distance was completed. In a patient anatomic reduction was lost on day eight., Discussion: Treatment of complex distal radius fractures with plates and screws for maintaining anatomic reduction are not applicable in our socioeconomic context. This study was aimed to prove that the Cole-Obletz method permits to maintain adequate reduction, it is reproducible, and is achievable at low costs.

The ipsilateral fracture of the humerus and any bone of the forearm is known as "Floating elbow", being this an infrequent entity in paediatrics. Nevertheless the classification that is proposed is based specifically on clinical findings and on the radiographic appearance resulting. We performed an observational, cross-sectioned and descriptive study from January 1997 to December 2000. We included 29 patients from 4 to 14 years old male and female. All patients received treatment for "floating elbow" and they were evaluated with the application of this proposition to get their prognosis. It was made on the basis of other classifications widely demonstrated such as Holmberg's for supracondylar fractures, Kranhoft and Solgaard's for forearm fractures, Gustilo R.B. and Mendoza R.M.'s for exposed fractures and we also considered the applications of the functional classification index of Broberg and Morrey. We propose a classification system based on mechanism of injury, fracture's level, displacement, time of exposition and related injuries, with six different types, as well as the use of a prognostic classification the physician has to look for a perfect reduction of the fracture and an appropriate stabilization.

Introduction: Pelvic trauma is associated in a high rate of patients with posterior urethral injuries. Blood at the urethral meatus or the inability to void are suspicious of urethral damage, but their absence do not exclude it. The attempt to pass a urethral catheter can worse a previous injury., Method: Retrospective study of 565 pelvic trauma along the last 5 years in the Hospital Valdecilla of Santander. We asses the urethral injury according Colapinto and McCallum classification and their relationship with the pelvic trauma, their outcome and diagnosis methodology., Results: There was 60 urethral injuries among 565 pelvic trauma (10.61%); 15 (25%) grade I were associated with trauma of the posterior ring of the pelvis; 17 (28.3%) grade II were associated in 12 cases with fractures of the anterior ring and in 5 cases with severe fractures of the posterior ring; 28 (46.66%) grade III were associated in 26 cases with fractures of the anterior ring and 2 fracture-luxation of the posterior one. Against the suggest of avoiding the attempt of passing a urethral catheter, nearly all patients had suffered and attempt before the urologist were asked for. The deferred combined urethrography was the best method of urethral evaluation.