A Retrospective Comparative Study of Internal Fixation with Reconstruction Plate Versus Anatomical Locking Compression Plate in Displaced Intercondylar Fractures of Humerus

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical result of a conventional reconstruction plate (CRP) fixation and locking compressive plate (LCP) fixation on the surgical treatment of an adult's displaced intercondylar fracture of humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 patients enrolled in the study were treated between August 2002 and May 2012. Fixation with a CRP was performed in 20 patients (group A) and anatomical locking compression plate fixation was performed in 20 patients (group B). The clinical and functional evaluation was performed according to the Mayo elbow performance score and Cassebaum classification of elbow range of motion (ROM), disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score. RESULTS: The Mayo elbow functional evaluation scores, eight cases were excellent, 10 cases were good, and two cases were fair in group A, and 12 cases were excellent, seven cases good, and one case fair in group B; both groups showed satisfactory results. The durations of attaining 90 to 120 degrees of the ROM of joints postoperatively were 8.3 days on average (6 to 15 days) in group A and 5.5 days on average (5 to 9 days) in group B, demonstrating a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.04). Although the correlations of clinical results according to the difference of bone mineral densities (BMDs) were not statistically significant between the two groups (p=0.35), loss of fixation occurred due to loosening of screws in two patients with low BMDs in whose operations reconstruction plates were used. CONCLUSION: The use of locking compressive plate on the surgical treatment of an diaplaced intercondylar fracture of humerus have a good clinical results because that permits early rehabilitation through good fixation and reduces the complications such as loosening of screws.