AO double plates in internal fixation of humeral intercondylar fractures / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To study the effects of AO double plates in internal fixation of humeral intercondylar fractures and to analyze the causes of the disfunction in elbow.[Method]From March 2001 to March 2006,21 cases (male 14, female 7) of humeral intercondylar fractures were reviewed, with an average age of 35.3 years (ranged,15～64 years).Left elbow9 cases;right elbow12 cases.According to AO/ASIF classification,type C1∶6,type C2∶10, and type C3∶5,2 cases of all were open fractures. Posterior operating approach of elbow trans-olecranon osteotomy or trans-triceps-side approach and internal fixation by standard method of AO double plates were performed in all cases.The patients began the active training of elbow joint as soon as possible postoperatively.[Result]Twenty-one cases were followed up for 8～38 months and the average time was 14.8 months.Bone union was obtained in all cases.One case complicated wound infection,it recovered after 3 weeks of dressing.And 1 case complicated with radial nerve injury,which recovered with neural nutrients.According to the Cassebaum scoring system,the effects were evaluated as excellent 7,good 10,and fair 4,and the excellent-good rate was 80.9%.[Conclusion]The application of AO double plates was proved to be a good method to treat humeral intercondylar fractures at present. But the severity of the bone comminution and soft-tissue lesion, the effective fixation,earlier active exercise were the main causes that influence the functional recovery of elbow joint.