ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate effect of construction with dual plates via olecranon osteotomy approach in treatment of type C distal humeral fractures.Methods The study involved 19 patients with type C distal humeral fractures treated by olecranon osteotomy and double plate fixation between July 2008 and April 2010,including 11 males and 8 females at a mean age of 49.2 years (range,27-71 years).Fractures were causes by traffic accidents in 10 patients,tumble in seven and fall from height in two.According to Association for Osteosynthesis/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification,there were nine patients with type C2 and 10 with type C3 fractures.Besides,two patients were complicated by ulnar nerve injuries and one by radial nerve injury.Results Primary wound healing was achieved in all patients after operation.All patients were followed up for average 15.9 months (range,12-20 months).X-ray films revealed that both fracture and olecranon osteotomy sites were healed in average 12 weeks (range,8-18 weeks).No fixation failure,myositis ossificans,malunion,delayed union or disunion occurred during the follow-up.Average Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) was 94.8 points (range,75-100 points) at the last follow-up,which showed excellent results in 14 patients,good in three,and fair in two,with excellence rate of 90％.Conclusions Double plate fixation via olecranon osteotomy gains advantages of solid fixation and early functional exercise in treatment of comminuted intercondylar fractures of humerus.Moreover,postoperative outcome is satisfactory.