Objective To review the outcomes of geriatric distal humeral fracture fixed with locking compression plate (LCP). Methods From January 2005 to December 2007, 24 patients (20 females and 4 males) with distal humeral fracture underwent open reduction and internal fixation with LCP. Their average age was 75.5 years old, ranged from 60 to 93 years old. Fracture was caused by injury from fall in 22 cases, by traffic accident in 1 case, and by direct hit in 1 case. There were 12 cases of type A2, 2 cases of type A3, 2 cases of type B1, 2 cases of type C1, 2 cases of type C2, 4 cases of type C3 fractures according to AO/ASIF classification. X-ray films in AP and lateral view were taken preoperatively. CT scan with three dimensional reconstructions was done in more comminuted fracture only. Open reduction with triceps sparingtechnique was used in all except type B fracture, and olecranon osteotomy was considered only in more comminuted C3fracture. The average interval between injury and operation was 3 days (range, 1-6 days). Outcome measures includedpain assessment, range of motion, and Mayo elbow performance score and findings at 1 year follow-up. Results Theaverage length of follow-up was 25 months (range, 12-48 months). All 24 fractures were healed within 6 months with anaverage of about 4 months. At 1 year follow-up, 83% (n=20) of patients felt no pain and 17% (n=4) of patients had mildpain; 83% of patient can gain a flexion range of more than 100°; according to Mayo elbow performance score, the meanscores of type A, B and C fracture groups were 97, 85, and 89, respectively, and the post-operative performance of typeA fracture was significantly better than that of type B and C (P=0.034). Four patients had postoperative compl ications.Conclusion Open reduction and internal fixation of geriatric distal humeral fracture can achieve relatively good functionalresult and bony union despite of age.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the AO anatomical locking compression plate in treating type C distal humeral fracture. Methods Between July 2008 and April 2009, 13 cases of type C distal humeral fracture were treated with the AO anatomical locking compression plates. There were 5 males and 8 females with an average age of 52.1 years (range, 24-80 years). Fractures were caused by tumbl ing in 7 cases, by traffic accident in 4 cases, and by fall ing from height in2 cases. According to Association for Osteosynthesis/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, there were 3 cases of type C1, 6 cases of type C2, and 4 cases of type C3. Two cases compl icated by ulnar nerve injuries, 1 by radial nerve injury, 2 by fractures of ulnar olecranon, 3 by fractures of other parts of extremities, and 6 by osteoporosis. The time from injury to hospital ization ranged from 3 hours to 4 days (0.9 day on average). Results All the incisions achieved heal ing by first intention. Thirteen cases were followed up 12 to 21 months with an average of 15.9 months. According to the X-ray films, unions were achieved both at fracture site and the olecranon osteotomy site with a heal ing time of 8 to 13 weeks (10 weeks on average). The function of elbows recovered from 3 to 32 weeks (10 weeks on average). No fixation failure, myositis ossifican, delayed union, or malunion occurred during the follow-up. The Mayo Elbow Performance score ranged from 75 to 100 with an average score of 95.8; the results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case with an excellent and good rate of 92.3%. Conclusion The AO anatomical locking compression plate has a good fixation in treating type C distal humeral fracture. Through the approach of olecranon osteotomy, it is easy to get anatomical reduction, stable fixation, and early exercise.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of open reduction and medial-lateral double plate internal fixation for type C distal humeral fractures. Methods Between June 2002 and January 2009, 32 patients with distal humeral intra-articular fractures were treated. There were 19 males and 13 females, aged 19-70 years (mean, 43.3 years). The fracture was caused by fall ing in 7 cases, by traffic accident in 15 cases, by fall ing from height in 5 cases, by crush injury in 4 cases, and by machine injury in 1 case. The time from injury to operation was 8 hours-7 days (mean, 3.3 days). Of 32 patients, 1 had open fracture and 31 had closed fracture; 5 patients compl icated by injury of ular nerve. According to AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF) classification, there were 9 cases of type C1, 16 of type C2, and 7 of type C3. Open reduction and medial-lateral double plate internal fixation were performed through posterior midl ine approach in 8 cases and through medial-lateral two-incision approaches in 24 cases. Results All incisions healed by first intention. The 32 cases were followed up 11-24 months (mean, 14 months). The X-ray films showed that all fractures healed at 3-6 months (mean, 3.8 months). According to Aitken et al. scoring system, the results were excellent in 22 cases, good in 6 cases, fair in 3 cases, and poor in 1 case with an excellent and good rate of 87.5%. In 5 patients with injury of ular nerve, 4 cases completely recovered at 6 months and 1 case still showed some symptoms after 1 year. Conclusion Treatment of type C distal humeral fractures with open reduction and medial-lateral double plate internal fixation can get good cl inical results.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of unexposed ulnar nerve medial elbow incision, open reduction and internal fixation of anatomical locking compression plate (LCP) for distal humerus fractures.MethodsFourteen patients with distal humerus fracture were treated between January 2014 and June 2017. There were 5 males and 9 females, aged 18-85 years (mean, 65.5 years). The causes of injury included falling from height in 12 cases and traffic accident in 2 cases, all were closed fractures. Fractures were classified according to the AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF): 3 cases of type A2, 2 cases of type A3, 4 cases of type B2, 2 cases of type C1, 2 cases of type C2, and 1 case of type C3; without ulnar nerve damage. The time from injury to operation was 4-15 days, with an average of 7 days. The type B2 fractures were treated with unexposed ulnar nerve elbow medial incision and anatomic LCP internal fixation, the rest patients were all treated with unexposed ulnar nerve medial plus conventional lateral approach and bilateral LCP internal fixation.ResultsThe operation time was 50-140 minutes (mean, 80 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was 20-200 mL (mean, 70 mL). There was no blood vessels or nerve damage during operation. All incisions healed by first intension, and no incision infection occurred. All the 14 cases were followed up 9-24 months (mean, 13 months). X-ray films showed that all fractures healed within 4 months without complications such as nonunion and osteomyelitis. No ulnar nerve injury, cubitus varus deformity, and ossifying myositis occurred during follow-up. At last follow-up, the elbow function was assessed by Mayo Elbow Performance score (MEPS), the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case (type C3 fracture), with the excellent and good rate of 85.7%.ConclusionThe unexposed ulnar nerve medial elbow incision can be used effectively to reduct the fracture, and it is not prone to ulnar nerve injury. Combined with the lateral approach to treat the distal humerus fracture, which has the advantages of short operation time, few trauma, little bleeding, and reliable effectiveness.
To investigate the method and cl inical effect of double-plating fixation in treatment of distal humerus fractures. Methods From April 2003 to January 2009, 21 patients with distal humerus fracture were treated with l imited contact compression plate and reconstruction plate via posterior elbow incision and approach inside and outside the edge of both sides of the triceps. There were 12 males and 9 females, aged from 20 to 63 years (39 years on average). The causes of injury were fall ing in 13 cases, traffic accident in 6 cases, and fall ing from height in 2 cases. According to the classification of Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF), 8 cases were classified as type 12-B1, 2 as type 12-B2, 7 as type12-B3, 3 as type 13-A2, and 1 as type 13-A3. The course of disease averaged 4.8 days. Results Secretion was observed at incision in 1 case 2 weeks after operation, and incision healed after dressing change; other incisions healed by first intention. Transient numbness of ring and l ittle fingers occurred in 2 cases 2 days after operation; no iatrogenic nerve paralysis occurred. All patients were followed up 13 to 18 months (15 months on average). The X-ray films showed bone healed 6 months after operation. No postoperative joint adhesion occurred, and the motion of elbow joint ranged from 0° to 135°. According to Morrey evaluation standard, the results were excellent in 17 cases, good in 2 cases, and fair in 2 case; the excellent and good rate was 90.5%. Conclusion Double-plating fixation has the advantages of wide indications, rigid internal fixation, and significant curative effects in treatment of distal humerus fractures.
Objective To investigate the effect of microsurgical repair of refractory bone defects and nonunion in distal humers. Methods Twelve cases of bone defects and nonunion indistal humerus wererepaired with free vascularised fibular graft and fixed with the anatomical bone plate. Of the 12 cases, 8 had pseudarthrosis, and 4 had bone defects 3-5 cm. Fibular graft ranged from 5-15 cm, 8.5 cm in average. Results After a follow-up of 3-18 months, 8.5 months in average, all cases of free vascularised fibular graft healed within 38 months. The fibular graft thickenedas time passed. Normal recessive osseous elbow joint, improvement in the inflection and extension of elbow joint, and normal revolving of antebrachium were attained. The short of limbs were corrected. Satisfactory functions of supporting and fine operation were attained. Conclusion With the support of anatomical bone plate, the fibular graft can help the recovery of joint functionand repair bone defects and nonunion as to avoid joint replacement with prosthesis.
Objective To summarize the research progress in the treatment of distal humeral metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction (DHMDJ) fractures in children and to provide reference for clinical practice. MethodsThe characteristics and treatment methods of transverse and comminuted DHMDJ fractures in children were summarized and analyzed by referring to relevant literature at home and abroad. Results DHMDJ fractures in children are not uncommon clinically, with high fracture line position, multi-directional instability, difficult closed reduction in treatment, and easy to cause complications such as coronal and sagittal deformity of the elbow. The Kirschner wire technique was effective for DHMDJ fractures with the fracture line at the middle and low levels, but was prone to iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury. Elastic stable intramedullary nail is suitable for higher-position transverse DHMDJ fractures. However, this technique requires a second operation to remove the internal fixator, and may cause iatrogenic epiphysis plate injury in children. External fixator is a new way to treat DHMDJ fractures, and it can show satisfactory results for transverse and comminuted DHMDJ fractures. However, at present, there are few relevant studies, and most of them focus on biomechanical studies, and the efficacy lacks high-quality clinical research support. Conclusion The ultimate goal of DHMDJ fracture treatment in children is to restore the anatomical alignment of the fracture and prevent the loss of reduction. The choice of internal fixator depends on the location of the fracture line and the shape of the fracture to provide personalized treatment.
ObjectiveTo analyze the effectiveness of external fixator combined with Kirschner wire (EF-KW) fixation in the treatment of oblique and comminuted distal humeral metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction (DHMDJ) fractures in children. Methods A clinical data of 22 children with DHMDJ fractures who met the selection criteria between April 2021 and December 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with EF-KW fixation. There were 14 boys and 8 girls with an average age of 6.8 years (range, 1.5-12.0 years). The time from injury to operation was 14-38 hours (mean, 24.2 hours). There were 18 cases of comminuted fractures and 4 cases of oblique fractures; and 1 case of median nerve injury and 1 case of radial nerve injury before operation. The occurrence of postoperative complications was recorded. At last follow-up, the function of the affected elbow joint was evaluated according to the Mayo elbow joint function score, and the Baumann’s angle (BA) and humero-capitellar angle (HCA) of the affected and healthy sides were recorded and compared. ResultsAll fractures were successfully treated with closed reduction and no complications such as nerve injury occurred. Superficial infection occurred in 4 cases after operation and healed after symptomatic treatment. The incisions of other patients healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 9-24 months (mean, 13.8 months). At last follow-up, according to the Mayo elbow joint function score, the elbow joint function was rated as excellent in 15 cases, good in 6 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 95.5%. The neurologic injury before operation recovered gradually. X-ray films reexamination showed that all fractures healed, and the healing time of fractures ranged from 29 to 61 days, with an average of 35.6 days. At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in BA and HCA between the healthy side and the affected side (P>0.05). During follow-up, 1 case developed mild cubitus varus, while the other patients had no serious complications. ConclusionEF-KW fixation for oblique and comminuted DHMDJ fractures in children has the advantages of less trauma, simple operation, easy reduction, good stability after reduction, low incidence of serious complications, and good elbow functional recovery.