ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Year : 2018 | Volume
: 15
| Issue : 1 | Page : 15-20 |
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Functional outcomes of type c distal humerus fractures in adults fixed by orthogonal double plating
Kapil Mani KC, Parimal Acharya, Dirgha Raj RC, Arun Sigdel
Department of Orthopedics, Civil Service Hospital, Minbhawan, Kathmandu, Nepal
Correspondence Address:
Kapil Mani KC Civil Service Hospital, Kathmandu Nepal
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/am.am_18_17
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Background: Surgical reconstruction of intra-articular distal humerus fractures imposes a challenge to even experienced surgeons as it is complicated by anatomy of elbow, small area of fixation, associated comminution, and osteopenia of articular surfaces. Single-column plating does not provide stable construct for comminuted distal humerus fractures as compared to the double-column plating methods. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the functional outcomes, technical difficulties, complications, and patients' satisfactions after orthogonal double plating. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analytical study of 54 patients with Type C distal humerus fractures fixed with orthogonal plating from 2012 to 2016. Time to unite the fractures and functional outcomes along with other major and minor complications were noted. Results: Seven (13%) fractures were C1, 12 (22.2%) were C2, and 35 (64.8%) were C3 types according to the AO classification. Major complications were noted in 5 patients and minor complications in 19 patients. Eleven (20.4%) patients were rated as excellent, 33 (61.1%) rated as good, 7 (12.9%) rated as fair, and 3 (5.6%) rated as poor. Mayo Elbow Performance Score in overall patients (n = 54) was 81.62 ± 10.28, C1/C2 subgroup (n = 19) was 89.05 ± 60, and C3 subgroup was 77.60 ± 9.91 (P = 0.627). Similarly, the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand Score in overall patients was 17.96 ± 15.67, C1/C2 subgroup was 8.78 ± 7.07, and C3 subgroup was 22.82 ± 16.78 (P = 0.285). Conclusion: Orthogonal dual-plate configurations can provide anatomical reconstruction and stable fixation of Type C intra-articular distal humeral fractures and allow early mobilization of the elbow after surgery; however, a significant number of patients do not satisfy after surgery.
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