Nonoperative Treatment for Displaced Proximal Humeral Fractures in Elderly Patients: Correlation Between Deviations and Clinical Outcomes / Tratamento não operatório de fraturas desviadas da extremidade proximal do úmero em idosos: Correlação entre os desvios e os resultados clínicos

Abstract Objectives To describe the functional result of the conservative treatment of displaced proximal humerus fractures (PHF) using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score after 12 months and assess whether the different initial classifications and radiographic measurements are related to clinical results. Methods Forty patients > 60 years old, with displaced PHUs submitted to conservative treatment were evaluated at standardized times (3, 6, and 12 months). The American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Constant-Murley and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scales were used as clinical outcomes. Radiographic variables included the Neer and Resch classifications, the presence and displacement of tuberosity fracture, metaphyseal comminution, medial periosteal lesion, and angular and translational deviations of the head in the coronal and sagittal plane. Results The result of the ASES score was 77.7 23.2 for the whole sample, the mean absolute values of the Constant-Murley score were 68.7 16 and 82.6% for the scale relative to the contralateral side. The SANE scale at 12 months was 84.8 19. We observed that the severity of the Neer classification and the coronal plane angular deviation (measured by the head-shaft angle) and the presence of fractures in both tuberosities negatively influenced the ASES score after 12 months of treatment. Conclusion Nonoperative treatment of displaced proximal humerus fractures in elderly patients results in good clinical results. Clinical results are negatively influenced by the angular deviation of the humeral head and the presence of fractures of the greater and lesser tubercles, as well as by the Neer classification.

Resumo Objetivos Descrever o resultado funcional do tratamento não operatório de fraturas desviadas da extremidade proximal do úmero (FEPU) pela escala da American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES, na sigla em inglês) após 12 meses e avaliar se as diferentes classificações e medidas radiográficas iniciais têm correlação com os resultados clínicos. Métodos Foram avaliados em tempos padronizados (3, 6 e 12 meses), 40 pacientes > 60 anos com FEPU submetidos ao tratamento não operatório. Foram utilizadas as escalas da ASES, Constant-Murley e Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE, na sigla em inglês). As variáveis radiográficas incluíram as classificações de Neer e Resch, a presença de fratura e desvio dos tubérculos, cominuição metafisária, lesão periosteal medial, desvios angulares e translacionais da cabeça no plano coronal e sagital e desvio dos tubérculos. Resultados Observamos resultados pela escala de ASES de 77,7 23,2 para toda a amostra, pelade Constant-Murley de 68,7 16e de 82,6% paraa escala em relação aolado contralateral.AescaladeSANEaos12mesesfoide84,8 19.Oscritériosradiográficosque apresentaram influência negativa no resultado clínico pela escala de ASES aos 12 meses foram a gravidade pela classificação de Neer e pelo desvio angular no plano coronal (mensurado pelo ângulo cabeça-diáfise) e a presença de fratura dos tubérculos. Conclusão O tratamento não operatório de fraturas desviadas da extremidade proximal do úmero em pacientes idosos resulta em bons resultados clínicos. Os resultados clínicos são influenciados negativamente pelo desvio angular da cabeça do úmero e pela presença de fratura dos tubérculos maior e menor, assim como pela classificação de Neer.

Ultrasound-guided multiple peripheral nerve blocks, a way out for anesthesia in morbidly obese patients for bone marrow aspiration / Múltiplos bloqueios de nervos periféricos guiados por ultrassom, uma saída para anestesia em pacientes com obesidade mórbida para aspiração de medula óssea

Abstract Morbid obesity is associated with various pathophysiological changes which affect the outcome of anaesthesia and surgery. So it's challenging to give anaesthesia to such patients. We present a 59-year-old adult morbidly obese, hypertensive, diabetic female with hypothyroidism operated for proximal humerus fracture and now presented with non-union of fracture, requiring percutaneous injection of bone marrow aspirate from the iliac crest to the site of non-union. The patient was extremely anxious and refused to undergo the procedure under local anaesthesia or sedation and demanded anaesthesia. Given her comorbidities general anaesthesia (GA) was avoided and the procedure was accomplished using Ultrasound (USG) guided Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN) block for the bone marrow aspirate from the iliac crest and Intercostobrachial nerve block (T2) was given to prevent pain while injecting the aspirate into the non-union site. Dexmedetomidine and ketamine were given for deep level sedation and analgesia. TAP block and LFCN block is generally used for post-op analgesia but can be also used for surgical anaesthesia instead of General anaesthesia in specific scenarios. Its perioperative application and its potential use instead of GA have been discussed.

Resumo A obesidade mórbida se associa a várias alterações fisiopatológicas que afetam o desfecho da anestesia e cirurgia. É, portanto, um desafio anestesiar tais pacientes. Apresentamos uma mulher adulta de 59 anos, obesa mórbida, hipertensa, diabética, com hipotiroidismo, submetida a cirurgia devido a fratura proximal do úmero e que compareceu ao serviço com fratura não consolidada, e com indicação de injeção percutânea de aspirado de medula óssea da crista ilíaca na fratura não consolidada. A paciente estava extremamente ansiosa e recusou o procedimento sob anestesia local ou sedação e exigiu anestesia. Em função de suas comorbidades, Anestesia Geral (AG) foi evitada e o procedimento foi realizado usando bloqueio do Plano Transverso Abdominal (PTA) guiado por Ultrassonografia (USG) e bloqueio do Nervo Cutâneo Femoral Lateral (NCFL) para aspiração de medula óssea da crista ilíaca. O bloqueio do nervo Intercostobraqueal (T2) foi realizado para evitar dor durante a injeção do aspirado. Dexmedetomidina e ketamina foram dadas para sedação profunda e analgesia. O Bloqueio PTA e bloqueio NCFL geralmente são usados para analgesia pós-operatória, mas também podem ser usados para anestesia cirúrgica substituindo a anestesia geral em condições clínicas específicas. O emprego desses bloqueios no perioperatório e seu uso potencial no lugar de AG têm sido discutidos.

Evidencia orientada al paciente: tratamiento de fracturas desplazadas de húmero proximal en adultos / Treatment of displaced fractures of the proximal humerus in adults

El tratamiento de fracturas desplazadas de húmero proximal puede realizarse de manera conservadora o quirúrgica. A partir de una viñeta clínica en la cual una señora adulta mayor tiene una fractura de húmero proximal por una caída de su propia altura se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica que identificó una revisión sistemática Cochrane que compara ambas alternativas de tratamiento. Los resultados clínicos que resume esta revisión indican que el tratamiento quirúrgico no sería superior al tratamiento conservador y se asociaría a un número mayor de procedimientos quirúrgicos adicionales. (AU)

The treatment of displaced fracture of the proximal humerus can be managed surgically or conservatively. From a clinical vi-gnette in which an elderly woman suffers a proximal fracture of the humerus due to a fall from her own height, a bibliographic search was run and identified a Cochrane systematic review which compared both treatment options. The clinical results sum-marized in this review indicated that surgical treatment would not be superior to conservative management. Furthermore, surgi-cal treatment would be associated with a greater number of additional surgical procedures. (AU)

The Adequacy of Diagnosis and Treatment for Osteoporosis in Patients with Proximal Humeral Fractures

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether physicians' practice was adequate for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in patients with proximal humeral fracture over the age of 50 years, which is one of major osteoporotic fractures. METHODS: A retrospective nation-wide cohort study was performed using data collected in 2010 by the Korean Health Insurance Review Agency. The incidences of fractures around the hip, spine, and proximal humerus in patients more than 50 years of age, the frequencies of diagnostic bone density scan for osteoporosis, and the prescription for the osteoporosis medication were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: A search of database identified 48,351 hip fractures, 141,208 spine fractures, and 11,609 proximal humeral fractures in patients more than 50 years of age in 2010. Among these patients, 12,097 (25.0%) of hip fractures, 41,962 (29.7%) of spine fractures, and 1,458 (12.6%) of proximal humeral fractures underwent diagnostic bone density scan (p < 0.001); 4,773 (9.9%) of hip fractures, 27,261 (19.3%) of spine fractures, and 639 (5.5%) of proximal humeral fractures were managed with at least one medication approved for the treatment of osteoporosis (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 1,217 (2.5%) of hip fractures, 7,271 (5.2%) of spine fractures, and 188 (1.6%) of proximal humeral fractures received diagnostic bone density scans as well as osteoporosis medications (p < 0.001). Younger patients (50–69 years of age) were less likely to be evaluated and managed for osteoporosis relative to older patients (≥ 70 years of age) (p < 0.001); and men were less likely to be evaluated and managed for osteoporosis relative to women (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Current physicians' practice pattern may be inadequate for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in patients of proximal humeral fractures over the age of 50 years. Additional study and educational programs are necessary to improve this care gap, beginning with physicians who are responsible for the fracture treatment and shoulder diseases.

Fracturas de húmero proximal: valoración clínica y resultado funcional en pacientes con osteonecrosis de la cabeza humeral / Proximal humerus fractures: clinical assessment and functional outcome in patients with osteonecrosis of the humeral head

Introducción: Las fracturas de húmero proximal de tres o más fragmentos presentan riesgo elevado de necrosis, siendo éste el segundo sitio más frecuente sólo después del fémur, presentándose causas traumáticas y no traumáticas, siendo las traumáticas las más comunes, presentando una incidencia de 13 a 34% en fracturas de más de cuatro fragmentos. El propósito de este estudio es valorar el resultado funcional de pacientes con antecedente de fractura humeral proximal y osteonecrosis con manejo conservador. Material y métodos: Se presenta un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, observacional con seguimiento de 6 a 12 meses de pacientes mayores de 60 años con diagnóstico de fractura de húmero proximal con manejo conservador, en el período comprendido de Enero de 2004 a Noviembre de 2009, se seleccionaron 122 pacientes que cumplían los criterios de inclusión, perdiendo el seguimiento de 12 de ellos, con edad promedio de 71.02 años con rango de 60 a 92 años, 41 hombres y 69 mujeres, realizándose escalas de DASH y CONSTANT. Resultados: Posterior a la realización de las escalas de valoración funcional se realiza la validación de dichos resultados obteniendo un coeficiente de correlación de 0.80 siendo estadísticamente significativo. Conclusión: El tratamiento conservador debe ser reservado sólo en pacientes que cumplan con las características necesarias. Dependiendo del tipo de fractura y las características del individuo, el tratamiento siempre está enfocado a la estabilización y a la movilización temprana y en la obtención de la recuperación funcional precoz. Encontrando en este estudio que las fracturas tratadas de forma conservadora, desarrollan algún estadio de osteonecrosis de la cabeza pero con adecuada función casi similar a la extremidad sana.

Introduction: Fractures of the proximal humerus resulting in three or more fragments represent a high risk of necrosis. The former is the second most frequent site of necrosis, only after the femur, due to either traumatic or nontraumatic causes. The former are the most common, with an incidence rate of necrosis of 13-34% in fractures with more than four fragments. The purpose of this study is to assess the functional outcome of patients with a history of fracture of the proximal humerus and osteonecrosis treated conservatively. Material and methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective, observational study with a 6-12 month follow-up of patients older than 60 years of age with a diagnosis of fracture of the proximal humerus managed conservatively between January 2004 and November 2009. One hundred and twenty-two patients met the inclusion criteria and 12 were lost to follow-up. Mean age was 71.02 years with a range between 60 and 92 years; 41 males and 69 females. The DASH and CONSTANT scales were applied. Results: After applying the functional assessment scales and validating the results, the correlation coefficient obtained was 0.80, and it was statistically significant. Conclusion: Conservative treatment should be used only in patients who meet the necessary criteria. Depending on the type of fracture and the patient's characteristics, treatment should always be aimed at stabilization, early mobilization, and early functional recovery. This study found that fractures treated conservatively eventually develop some degree of osteonecrosis of the head, but they have proper function, similar to that of a healthy limb.

Avaliação das complicações do tratamento cirúrgico das fraturas da extremidade proximal do úmero com "placa bloqueada" / Evaluation of the complications of surgical treatment of fractures of the proximal extremity of the humerus using a locking plate

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as complicações do tratamento cirúrgico dos pacientes com fratura da extremidade proximal do úmero com "placa bloqueada". MÉTODOS: Entre julho de 2004 e dezembro de 2009, foram tratados 56 pacientes com fratura da extremidade proximal do úmero com a placa Philos®. Dezenove pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 37 do feminino, com média de idade de 62 anos, variando de 30 a 92 anos. Todos os casos tinham tempo de seguimento mínimo, no período pós-operatório, de 12 meses. Treze fraturas foram classificadas como em duas partes, 28 em três, oito em quatro e sete como fraturas epifisárias. RESULTADOS: Dos pacientes operados, 26 foram considerados como tendo obtido resultado excelente, 12 como bom, 10 como regular e oito como ruim, conforme o escore de UCLA. Trinta complicações ocorreram em 20 pacientes (35,7%), sendo a mais frequente a redução inadequada da fratura que ocorreu em oito casos. O impacto subacromial causado pela placa ocorreu em sete casos, enquanto a fixação inadequada da fratura em seis. Outras complicações como pseudoartrose, capsulite adesiva, necrose avascular, perda da redução em varo e infecção também foram verificadas. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados funcionais do tratamento das fraturas da extremidade proximal do úmero com a "placa bloqueada" dependem da correta redução anatômica da fratura e fixação estável do implante. Complicações ainda são frequentes, principalmente devido à dificuldade técnica intraoperatória, à gravidade da fratura e à eventual inexperiência do cirurgião.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complications from surgical treatment using a locking plate among patients with fractures of the proximal extremity of the humerus. METHODS: Between July 2004 and December 2009, 56 patients with fractures of the proximal extremity of the humerus were treated using the PHILOS® plate. There were 19 male patients and 37 female patients, with a mean age of 62 years (range: 30 to 92 years). All the cases had a mean postoperative follow-up period of 12 months. Thirteen fractures were classified as presenting in two parts, 28 as three, eight as four and seven as epiphyseal fractures. RESULTS: Among the patients operated, 26 were considered to have achieved excellent results, twelve good, ten fair and eight poor, according to the UCLA score. Thirty complications occurred in 20 patients (35.7%), among which the most frequent complication was inadequate reduction of the fracture, which occurred in eight cases. Subacromial impact, caused by the plate, occurred in seven cases, while inadequate fixation occurred in six cases. Other complications such as pseudarthrosis, adhesive capsulitis, avascular necrosis, loss of varus reduction and infection were also seen. CONCLUSION: The functional results from treating fractures of the proximal extremity of the humerus using a locking plate depended on correct anatomical reduction of the fracture and stable fixation of the implant. Complications still occur frequently, particularly because of intraoperative technical difficulty, fracture severity and possible inexperience of the surgeon.