Jan Dauwe1, Peter Grechenig2, Ines Unterfrauner3, Angelika Schwarz4, Andreas Weiglein5, Gloria Hohenberger2. 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 2. Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Graz, Graz, Austria. 3. Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria. 4. Department of Trauma Surgery, AUVA Trauma Hospital Graz, Graz, Austria. 5. Institute of Anatomy Graz, Graz, Austria.
Abstract
Helical plating is a known concept in humeral fracture treatment. Attention should be paid to the axillary nerve when inserting a plate underneath the deltoid muscle. The purpose of this cadaveric study was to estimate axillary nerve stretching when introducing the plate. METHODS: On 42 fresh frozen human humeri, an 8-, 10- and 12-hole Philos plate in a straight and a helical shape were compared measuring the maximum plate-bone-distance. RESULTS: For all three plate lengths, the helical plates had a significantly lower plate-bone-distance. CONCLUSION: Indirectly, this suggests a lower axillary nerve elongation and hence less chance of nerve damage.
Helical plating is a known concept in humeral fracture treatment. Attention should be paid to the axillary nerve when inserting a plate underneath the deltoid muscle. The purpose of this cadaveric study was to estimate axillary nerve stretching when introducing the plate. METHODS: On 42 fresh frozen human humeri, an 8-, 10- and 12-hole Philos plate in a straight and a helical shape were compared measuring the maximum plate-bone-distance. RESULTS: For all three plate lengths, the helical plates had a significantly lower plate-bone-distance. CONCLUSION: Indirectly, this suggests a lower axillary nerve elongation and hence less chance of nerve damage.
Authors: N Südkamp; J Bayer; P Hepp; C Voigt; H Oestern; M Kääb; C Luo; M Plecko; K Wendt; W Köstler; G Konrad Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2009-06 Impact factor: 5.284