Clinical efficacy of different surgical methods for the treatment of distal humerus fractures

SHEN Yan; WANG Chao-yang; WU Xing-wang; PENG Lin; CHENG Li-feng; BAO Ai-min; LIN Jie

Abstract：Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of different surgical methods for the treatment of dis-tal humerus fractures of adults.Methods From Aug.2012 to Jul.2013,49 patients[30 males and 19 females aged from 22-67 years with an awerage of (37 ±3.4) years] of distal humerus fracture were treated with perpendicular plate fixation via a triceps-splitting approach(group A,15 cases),parallel plate fixation via a triceps-splitting ap-proach(group B, 12 cases),perpendicular plate fixation via an olecranon osteotomy approach(group C,13 cases), parallel plate fixation via an olecranon osteotomy approach( group D,9 cases) respectively.All patients received 10-21 months of follow-up and Cassebaum functional score was employed to evaluate the treatment results.Results In four groups,the average healing time of fracture were 92,96,98 and 95 days, respectively.The excellent and good rates of function were 80.0%,83.3%,76.9% and 77.8%, respectively.All the data were analyzed with statis-tics.There was no significant difference among groups(P>0.05).Delayed union occurred in one case in group C,and 1 case developed heterotopic ossification in group D.Conclusion As four methods have their own advanta-ges,the clinical choice should be based on the fracture type and the proficiency of the surgical operator.