Andre Wajnsztejn1, Diego Dantas de Albuquerque2, Italo Espinola2, Pablo Falchetto Altoé2, Leandro Ejnisman3, Mario Lenza4, Robinson Esteves Santos Pires5. 1. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av Albert Einstein 627, sala 306 bloco A1, Morumbi, Sao Paulo, SP, 05651-901, Brazil. andre.epm@gmail.com. 2. Hospital Municipal Dr. Carmino Cariccio, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 3. Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 4. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av Albert Einstein 627, sala 306 bloco A1, Morumbi, Sao Paulo, SP, 05651-901, Brazil. 5. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais e Hospital Felício Rocho, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to show the functional outcomes and complication rates of humeral complex fractures in adults, using osteosynthesis with two bridging orthogonal submuscular plates. METHODS: The study consists of a prospective case series of 13 patients with isolated humeral complex fractures treated with two bridging orthogonal submuscular plates. Functional assessment was performed using disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score with 30 items. The age ranged from 22 to 68 years, with a mean age of 39 years. Functional assessment with DASH score was performed at the twelfth postoperative week. RESULTS: All patients presented fracture healing in the fourth postoperative month. Of the 13 patients, five (38%) had a DASH score of zero (best function possible). One patient developed neuropraxis and presented with a score of 100 (worst possible). One case developed superficial infection, which was treated with oral antibiotics and local debridement. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated satisfactory functional outcome in patients with distal-third diaphyseal humeral complex fractures treated with two locked submuscular plates. The authors consider it as a safe method and an efficient alternative, especially in younger patients who require early functional recovery.
PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to show the functional outcomes and complication rates of humeral complex fractures in adults, using osteosynthesis with two bridging orthogonal submuscular plates. METHODS: The study consists of a prospective case series of 13 patients with isolated humeral complex fractures treated with two bridging orthogonal submuscular plates. Functional assessment was performed using disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score with 30 items. The age ranged from 22 to 68 years, with a mean age of 39 years. Functional assessment with DASH score was performed at the twelfth postoperative week. RESULTS: All patients presented fracture healing in the fourth postoperative month. Of the 13 patients, five (38%) had a DASH score of zero (best function possible). One patient developed neuropraxis and presented with a score of 100 (worst possible). One case developed superficial infection, which was treated with oral antibiotics and local debridement. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated satisfactory functional outcome in patients with distal-third diaphyseal humeral complex fractures treated with two locked submuscular plates. The authors consider it as a safe method and an efficient alternative, especially in younger patients who require early functional recovery.
Authors: J L Marsh; Theddy F Slongo; Julie Agel; J Scott Broderick; William Creevey; Thomas A DeCoster; Laura Prokuski; Michael S Sirkin; Bruce Ziran; Brad Henley; Laurent Audigé Journal: J Orthop Trauma Date: 2007 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 2.512