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Modified lateral approach to the distal humerus for internal fixation.

Internal fixation of fractures of the most distal portion of the humeral shaft is problematic. A modified lateral approach was assessed to determine its role in the surgical management of these injuries. Posterior plating of the lateral column was performed in each case. Eight patients with eight fractures (seven acute, one nonunion) were treated. All fractures united. There were no complications. On the basis of these results, displaced fractures of the most distal portion of the humeral shaft can be managed successfully via a modified lateral approach to the distal humerus.

Adolescent↗

Salvage of contaminated fractures of the distal humerus with thin wire external fixation.

Fractures and osteotomies of the distal humerus that are contaminated or infected represent a difficult management problem. Stable anatomic fixation with plates and screws, the acknowledged key to a good result in the treatment of bicondylar fractures, may be unwise. A thin wire circular (Ilizarov) external fixator was used as salvage treatment in such complex situations in five patients. The fixator allowed functional mobilization of the elbow while allowing achievement of the primary goal of eradicating the infection or colonization. Two patients required a second operation for fixation of a fibrous union of the lateral condyle. One patient with a vascularized fibular graft later required triple plate fixation for malalignment at the distal host and graft junction. Four of five patients ultimately achieved complete union. The fracture remained ununited in one patient who has declined additional intervention. All five patients achieved at least 85 degrees ulnohumeral motion, two after a secondary elbow capsulectomy performed after healing was achieved. This experience suggested that the Ilizarov construct, although not a panacea, represents a reliable method of skeletal stabilization that allows functional mobilization while elimination of infection or colonization is ensured. If necessary, stiffness and incomplete healing can be addressed with an increased margin of safety at subsequent operations.

Adolescent↗

Crossed pin fixation of displaced supracondylar humerus fractures in children.

The results of 42 children with displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus (six Gartland Type II and 36 Gartland Type III) treated with crossed pin fixation are reported. In 37 fractures (88%) the teardrop configuration was restored successfully. All fractures healed without loss of reduction. No patients had iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury. Crossed-pin fixation of supracondylar humeral fractures is a safe and effective way of maintaining skeletal stability in children. Careful technique safeguards against ulnar nerve injury.

Child↗

Nonunions of the humerus.

Humerus fractures comprise 5% to 8% of all fractures. Nonunions are uncommon, but when they occur, they present a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon and often are debilitating to patients. There are risk factors that may predispose patients to nonunion. Many methods of treating these nonunions have been described with varying degrees of success. We review the literature concerning the treatment of proximal, midshaft, and distal humeral nonunions and describe our treatment protocol based on the literature.

Bone Transplantation↗

A selective treatment approach to supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children.

The results of a "selective treatment" policy applied to 176 patients presenting with supracondylar fracture of the humerus are analyzed. As initial treatment 148 patients underwent closed reduction and casting, seven closed reduction and pinning, 17 olecranon traction, and four open reduction and pinning. Analysis of patients by fracture type and initial treatment demonstrated a satisfactory outcome in 46 of 75 type III fractures and in 37 of 48 patients with type II fractures treated by closed reduction and casting. Thus a policy of initially pinning all such type III fractures in our unit would mean that 61% of such fractures would be pinned needlessly. Of type II fractures 77% would be needlessly pinned if such a policy was applied to type II fractures. The current trend towards pinning of all type III supracondylar fractures is not supported by the data from this study.

Adolescent↗

Closed reduction and percutaneous stabilization of pediatric T-condylar fractures of the humerus.

T-condylar fractures of the humerus are a rare fracture pattern in children. The usual recommendation is to treat them with open reduction and internal fixation, in accordance to the usual practice in adult fracture patterns. This involves extensive surgical approach to the elbow to allow anatomic reduction and placement of hardware for rigid fixation. The authors present a technique of closed reduction of the intra-articular component of the T-condylar fracture that is stabilized with partially threaded pins that afford interfragmentary compression, followed by the use of two elastic titanium intramedullary nails to stabilize the supracondylar component of the fracture as well. Two adolescents (12 and 14 years of age) with a T-condylar elbow fracture were treated with the described technique. Both fractures healed without complications. Hardware was removed in the outpatient clinic after 4 weeks, and both patients returned to sports with full range of elbow motion 6 weeks postoperatively.

Accidental Falls↗

Displaced type II extension supracondylar humerus fractures: do they all need pinning?

The treatment of a displaced type II extension supracondylar humerus fracture is controversial. Many authors recommend that all displaced type II fractures be surgically pinned. The purpose of this study was to determine the success of reduction and casting (without pinning) in maintaining the alignment of type II fractures. Of the 25 elbows that underwent an initial reduction in the emergency room, 18 (72%) maintained alignment. Seven fractures lost position, and five of the seven patients underwent secondary reduction and pinning. Twenty-three of the 25 (92%) elbows had a satisfactory outcome and 2 of the 25 (8%) had an unsatisfactory outcome according to the Flynn criteria. All 24 patients were satisfied with the treatment on a satisfaction survey. An attempt at closed reduction and casting, with selective pinning of the fractures that lose position, appears justified if close follow-up can be maintained.

Bone Nails↗

Operative management of intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus.

Over a 5-year period (1979-1984), 33 patients with intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus underwent open reduction and internal fixation of their fractures. Twenty-two (67%) of the patients had multiple injuries. Fourteen (42%) of the fractures were open (1 was Grade I, 8 were Grade II and 5 were Grade III). The mean age was 32 years (range: 15-61 years), which is significantly younger than in other series. A subgroup of 25 of the patients was evaluated clinically at a mean of 18.3 months postoperatively. "Excellent" and "good" functional results occurred in 23 patients (92%). "Poor" results were seen in the remaining two patients (8%). Complications occurred in 15 patients (45%). Nine of these complications related to fixation of the transolecranon osteotomy, which was used in 29 patients. The method by which reduction and stabilization was achieved was not as important as obtaining sufficient rigidity, which permitted early motion.

Adolescent↗

Unicondylar fractures of the distal humerus: an operative approach.

This paper retrospectively reviews a series of 22 unicondylar fractures of the distal end of the humerus that were treated by open reduction and internal fixation over a 10 year period. The fracture patterns were classified according to the system of Müller et al. A strict rating scale was developed that incorporated subjective data, objective elbow motion, and the functional status of the involved elbow. At an average follow-up of 5.9 years (range 2.3 to 12.3 years), 12 elbows were rated as excellent, 6 as good, and 4 as fair. Complications included extensive posttraumatic arthritis in four patients, a nonunion in one, and a transient radial nerve palsy in one.

Adolescent↗

Transcondylar fractures of the distal humerus.

We classify transcondylar fractures of the distal humerus into four groups: undisplaced; simple displaced; T-type; and fracture dislocations (Posada's fracture). Our treatment of these fractures is based upon this classification. Undisplaced fractures are treated with immobilization. Displaced fractures are reduced and stabilized with internal fixation. Stabilization of these fractures is difficult because the distal fragments are small and a large portion of their surface is covered with articular cartilage. Transposition of the ulnar nerve allows us to use the cubital tunnel as a point for fixation. We found in our series of 11 patients that undisplaced fractures have the best prognosis. However, all of our patients lost elbow motion, particularly extension. Radiographic signs of post-traumatic arthritis were more pronounced in displaced fractures.

Aged↗

Concomitant medial condyle fracture of the humerus in a childhood posterolateral dislocation of the elbow.

Fracture of the medial condyle of the humerus concomitant with a dislocation of the elbow is an extremely rare event in children. In this case of a 10-year-old boy, the fracture of the medial condyle was not diagnosed initially, which resulted in subsequent restriction of elbow range of motion. In such a case, it is suggested that one look for other injuries associated with elbow dislocations in children and undertake appropriate radiographic studies.

Casts, Surgical↗

Management of vascular injuries in displaced supracondylar humerus fractures without arteriography.

One hundred forty-three displaced (type III) supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children were treated over a 5.5-year period with 17 (11.9%) having signs of vascular impairment at the time of presentation. Rapid reduction and Kirschner wire stabilization without arteriogram was performed in each case. In three cases in which satisfactory blood supply to the hand was not present after reduction, circulation was restored after exploration of the brachial artery revealed two intimal tears and one arterial entrapment. The remaining 14 patients were normal at follow-up with no late vascular compromise. Based on these findings, we feel prereduction arteriography is not indicated in this injury.

Arm↗

Fracture of the medial condyle of the humerus in an elderly patient.

Isolated fractures of the medial condyle of the humerus are rare in any age group and have not been previously reported in the elderly. The case of an 82-year-old who sustained such a fracture is reported. The patient was successfully treated by anatomic reduction and rigid internal fixation. Treatment guidelines and relevant literature are reviewed.

Aged↗

Open reduction and internal fixation of delayed union and nonunion of the distal humerus.

Nonunion of a condylar fracture of the distal humerus rarely occurs, but when present it is difficult to manage. We recommend internal fixation of the nonunion in combination with decortication and autogenous iliac crest bone grafting along with careful selection and placement of the implant. Postoperatively, the goal is preservation of elbow motion until the nonunion heals. We reviewed the cases of five patients who had surgery for nonunion of this fracture, all of which healed within 2-3 months after surgery. At final follow-up their average arc of motion was 88 degrees.

Adult↗

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children: analysis of the results in 142 patients.

One hundred forty-two children who had supracondylar humerus fractures and who were treated either by open reduction and internal fixation or by closed methods were reviewed. There were 104 boys and 38 girls. Their ages ranged between 2 and 14 years, with an average age of 8 years. One hundred thirteen of the fractures were of the extension type and 29 were of the flexion type. Sixty-two patients were treated by manipulative reduction and immobilization in a plaster of Paris cast, and 20 were treated by overhead skeletal traction followed by the application of a plaster of Paris cast. The other 60 patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The follow-up period ranged from 4 years to 11 years, with an average of 7.5 years. The results were evaluated based on the range of motion, the subsequent deformity, if any, and the carrying angle. In the overall series we had 72 (50.70%) excellent, 31 (21.83%) good, 13 (9.15%) fair, and 26 (18.30%) poor results.

Adolescent↗

Biomechanical comparison of methods of fixation of a midshaft osteotomy of the humerus.

Using paired humeri with a midshaft osteotomy, the biomechanical stiffness of four intramedullary internal fixation devices were compared with each other, a dynamic compression plate, and with the intact bone. In posterior and lateral bending and in torsion, flexible intramedullary pin fixed humeri (Enders and Hackethal) performed similarly and were less stiff than intact specimens were. Interlocking intermedullary nail constructs (Russell-Taylor and Seidel) also tested similarly to each other, and were stiffer than the flexible pins in all bending tests. Compared with the intact humerus, interlocking nails were stiffer in torsion, but in bending they more closely simulated the stiffness of the bone.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Multiplane fracture of the distal humerus.

A unique but complex intraarticular fracture of the distal humerus is described. The term multiplane fracture has been applied to highlight a fracture pattern that features not only the well recognized T fracture lines in the sagittal and horizontal planes but also a coronal fracture of the trochlea. The Herbert screw was used in five cases to achieve stable fixation of the purely articular coronal fracture. At a follow-up of 20 months, on average, all fractures healed with an acceptable functional result. No radiographic evidence of avascular necrosis was seen in the follow-up radiographs.

Adult↗

Internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures using the screw-tension band technique.

Many of the current techniques of internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures use tension band wires to achieve secure fixation, allowing immediate postoperative exercise of the affected limb. In addition, the use of a cancellous lag screw placed from the humeral shaft into the humeral head may have several advantages. In particular, this lag screw does not violate the subacromial space and provides initial stability between the head and shaft, which facilitates placement of the tension band wires. This technique was used in 13 patients whose average age was 71 years (range 54-86). Follow-up averaged 20 months. Eight patients had two-part fractures and five patients had three-part fractures. This technique used a deltopectoral approach with manual impaction of the humeral head and shaft. A 6.5-mm AO screw was used for lag screw fixation in addition to two 18-gauge tension band wires: one placed through the tuberosities and one under the rotator cuff tendons. Passive range of motion of the involved shoulder was begun with the first postoperative week, and active range of motion and strengthening were allowed after the fourth postoperative week. At follow-up patients were evaluated for range of motion, function, pain, and radiographic appearance of the fracture. Average forward flexion was 160 degrees, external rotation was 46 degrees, and internal rotation was to the 10th thoracic vertebra. According to the functional scale proposed by Hawkins, 10 of the 13 patients had achieved a good result. Two of the remaining patients had a fair score, and one had a poor outcome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activities of Daily Living↗