Résumé
Surgical management of inter-condylar fractures of humerus includes various approaches of open reduction and internal fixation [ORIF], with each having its merits and demerits. In this study we analyzed Campbell's and trans-olecranon osteotomy approaches for ORIF of inter-condylar fracture of humerus in terms of adequacy of exposure and functional rehabilitation. The study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital Peshawar, CMH Rawalpindi and PNS Shifa, Karachi from 1999 to 2005. A total of 43 patients with T/Y fracture of distal humerus were divided into two groups [Gp]. Gp A comprising of 22 patients were operated by Campbell's approach while Gp B having 21 patients were operated by trans-olecranon osteotomy approach. The mean age of Gp A and B were 36.95 +/- 4.21 [range: 27-49 yrs] and 35.71 +/- 5.17 [range: 21-45 yrs] respectively. Follow up of patients varied from 3 to 9 months and they were evaluated for functional results. Mean operating time was significantly longer in Gp B [mean 124.28 +/- 31.32 min] as compared to Gp A [mean 100.40 +/- 25.78 min] [P-value 0.022]. Functional results were evaluated based upon the criteria of Risen-borough and Radin. Gp A shows 59.09% good results and 27.27% fair results which were comparable to the results of Gp B i.e 57.14% good and 33.33% fair. This study proved that both the approaches for internal fixation of type 2 and 3 inter-condylar fractures of humerus with minimum or no intra-articular comminution are comparable in terms of functional results