Objective: The aim of this comparative and prospective study is to evaluate the results of pain management with the association of a mini-invasive pronator-sparing technique and in situ continuous diffusion of Ropivacaine following radius distal fracture treated with volar locking plate. Patients and Method: In group 1 (11 patients), there was no catheter placed but a suction drain for 3 of them. In group 2 (23 patients), an in situ catheter is placed in the surgical site for a continuous diffusion (flow 5 mL/h) of 270 mL of Ropivacaine 2% in an elastomeric pump. The catheter was removed by a nurse at home 48 hours after surgery. Pain was evaluated with pain Visual Analog Scale at days 1, 2, 3, 7, and 30. A radiological examination was performed at day 30. Results: In group 2, Visual Analog Scale (VAS; day 1/day 2) was significantly lower than in group 1: 4.8/3.5 versus 6.6/5.6 (P < .05). There were no differences of the results of VAS at days 3, 7, and 30. No radiological sign of chondrotoxicity was observed at day 30. Conclusion: The association of the mini-invasive technique with an in situ diffusion of Ropivacaine is an effective procedure to control postoperative pain after treatment of distal radius fracture and then could authorize 1-day surgery.
