Internal fixation via medial and lateral approaches for the middle and inferior humeral fracture / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:The open reduction and internal fixation in treatment of middle and inferior humeral fractures often choose anterolateral approach. As the rapid development of microsurgical technique in recent years, some domestic hospitals try to adopt the medial approach, but the operation safety and efficacy are rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of two different approaches of open reduction and internal fixation for treating the middle and inferior humeral fractures. METHODS:A total of 68 patients with the middle and inferior humeral fractures were selected from Orthopedic Center of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2010 to January 2012, and were retrospectively analyzed. According to the approach of incision, the involved patients were divided into anterolateral approach group (n=33) and medial approach group (n=35). The blood loss in two groups was analyzed using Gross equation. The postoperative complications and functional recovery were compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:During the fol ow-up at 12-18 months, X-ray results showed that the fractures achieved bone healing, fracture healing time was 16.9±3.9 weeks in anterolateral approach group and 15.5±2.2 weeks in the medial approach group. Shoulder Neer system score was 86±5 points in anterolateral approach group and 84±4 points in the medial approach group;elbow Mayo system score was 78±7 points in anterolateral approach group and 81±8 points in the medial approach group. Three cases in anterolateral approach group and one case in medial approach group presented postoperative radial nerve numbness and wrist dorsiflexion weakness, which were self-healed after 3 months. There was no nonunion, chronic osteomyelitis for other complications. The fracture healing time, the incidence of complications and the functional recovery between the two groups showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The medial approach is a feasible and safe surgical approach of internal fixation for treating the middle and inferior humeral fractures.