How Difficult Is It to Surgically Treat AO-C Type Distal Humerus Fractures for Inexperienced Orthopedic Surgeons?

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Twenty early surgical management cases of distal humerus type-C fractures were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed 20 early patients, who received surgical management of distal humerus type-C fractures, and could be followed-ups for more than one year between March of 2013 and May of 2015. The operative time, bone union time, and elbow range of motion were analyzed. The Mayo's functional score was used to evaluate their postoperative function. The primary and secondary complications of each patient immediately after each of their surgery were also reviewed. RESULTS: All patient groups achieved bone union within an average period of 16.4 weeks. Based on the Mayo functional score, 6, 10, and 4 patients scored excellent, good, and fair, respectively. The average range of motion was a flexion contracture of 14.5° with a follow-up improvement averaging 120.7°. Six patients received nine revision operations due to major and minor complications. Two patients received revision fixation from an inadequate fixating power, and another patient received an ulnar nerve transposition. Other complications included olecranon osteotomy site displacement, superficial operational site infection, and pin loosening. CONCLUSION: Distal humerus fractures of the AO-C type can cause a range of complications and has a very high rate of revision due to its difficult nature of surgical manageability. Therefore, it is imperative for a surgeon to expect various complications beforehand and a careful approach to their postoperative rehabilitation is essential.