The Cedell method (cerclage wire and staple) leads to less reoperations than the AO method

Figures & data

Figure 1. Flow chart showing the numbers of patients treated with each method, exclusion criteria, and numbers of reoperations in each group

Figure 2. Typical fractures and treatment with the AO method (left panels) and the Cedell method (right panels).

Table 1. Indications for reoperation as noted in the patients’ journals. Some patients gave several reasons for hardware removal

Method	Total	Mechanical issues ^a	Local pain, tenderness	Strain-related pain	Joint pain	Routine removal	Other
Cedell method	20	5	9	7	1	0	3 ^b
AO method	24	10	6	11	0	6	1 “pain”
Total	44	15	15	18	1	6	4

^a chafes, ulceration etc.

^b prolonged healing (1), nothing declared (1), pain and instability (1)

Figure 3. Distribution of each surgical procedure.