Treatment of valgus-impacted three- and four-part fractures of proximal humerus with lateral deltoid muscle approach / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of lateral deltoid muscle approach in the treatment of valgus-impacted three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus.Methods:From January 2015 to December 2017, 36 patients were treated at Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of Central Military Theater for valgus-impacted three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus via the lateral deltoid muscle approach. They were 10 men and 26 women, aged from 38 to 85 years (mean, 65.6 years). The fracture had occurred at the left side in 20 cases and at the right side in 16. According to the Neer classification, 22 cases had a three-part fracture and 14 a four-part one. Their operation time and intraoperative bleeding were recorded. The efficacy was evaluated by their Constant-Murely scores and ranges of motion of the shoulder joint one year after operation.Results:This cohort was followed up for 12 to 36 months (mean, 21.7 months). Their operation time ranged from 55 to 120 min (mean, 75.9 min); their intraoperative bleeding ranged from 50 to 200 mL (mean, 109.7 mL). Their Constant-Murely scores of the affected shoulder one year after operation ranged from 79 to 90 points (mean, 84.1points). At one year after operation, their abduction ranged from 90° to 160° (mean, 120.6°), their uplift from 90° to 170° (mean, 128.1°), their backward extension from 20° to 60° (mean, 38.8°), their internal rotation from 20° to 45° (mean, 30.5°), and their external rotation from 30° to 45° (mean, 35.6°). All patients obtained bony union with no such complications as axillary nerve injury, deep infection, nonunion or ischemic necrosis of the humeral head.Conclusion:Treatment of valgus-impacted three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus via the lateral deltoid muscle approach is minimally invasive, simple, safe and effective.