Clinical study on the treatment of proximal humeral fractures through a modified lateral approach to the shoulder / 中国基层医药

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of the modified lateral approach to the shoulder for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures.Methods:A total of 64 patients with proximal humeral fractures who received treatment in Zhoushan Branch, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from May 2018 to May 2022 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into observation and control groups ( n = 32/group). The observation group was treated using a modified lateral approach to the shoulder. The control group was treated using the anteromedial approach to the shoulder. Perioperative indexes (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, hospital stay, and incision length) were compared between the two groups. Before surgery, 1 week and 3 months after surgery, the visual analogue scale score and the Constant-Murley shoulder assessment score were compared between the two groups. Before surgery and 3 months after surgery, the shoulder range of motion was compared between the two groups. The incidence of complications was also compared between the two groups. Results:The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, hospital stay, and incision length in the observation group were shorter or lower than those in the control group ( t = 7.42, 26.85, 10.90, 2.73, 10.59, all P < 0.05). At 1 week and 3 months after surgery, the visual analogue scale score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( t = 5.80, 6.06, both P < 0.001). At 1 week and 3 months after surgery, the Constant-Murley shoulder assessment score in the observation group was (62.96 ± 12.05) points and (74.96 ± 14.52) points, respectively, which were significantly higher than (56.74 ± 9.62) points and (67.88 ± 12.25) points in the control group ( t = 2.28, 2.10, both P < 0.05). After surgery, the range of motion of the shoulder joint in the observation group was greater than that in the control group, including forward flexion, backward extension, external rotation, and internal rotation ( t = 2.54, 3.19, 2.40, 4.00, all P < 0.05). The incidence of complications in the observation group was 6.25% (2/32), which was significantly lower than 28.13% (9/32) in the control group ( χ2 = 5.39, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The modified lateral approach to the shoulder has a marked effect on proximal humeral fractures. The approach can improve shoulder function, shorten operation time, and decrease the incidence of complications.