Modified anconeus flap approach for intercondylar humerus fractures / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To report a new surgical approach (modified anconeus flap approach) in which the anconeus and part of triceps are reflected in the treatment of distal intercondylar humerus fracture (AO type C).Methods To design the modified anconeus flap approach,the anatomy of the distal tendon of the triceps brachii and the anconeus was studied using 15 cadaveric adult specimens (30 sides).The new surgical approach was compared with the triceps-reflecting anconeus pedicle (TRAP) approach in terms of the area of exposure at the distal humeral articular surface.Furthermore,the new surgical approach was applied in 16 patients who had been treated for intercondylar humerus fracture (AO type C) from May 2005 to May 2013.The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and Broberg-Morrey scoring systems.Results The blood supply and innervation of the anconeus was interrupted minimally during incision along the radical edge of triceps tendon.The area of exposure at the distal humeral articular surface provided by the part triceps and anconeus reflecting approach and the medial humerus approach was 42.66％ ± 0.03％ at the elbow flexion from 0° to 50°.This was significantly smnaller than that provided by the TRAP approach (46.11％ ±0.03％) (P ＜0.05).Of the 16 patients,15 obtained complete follow-ups from 6 months to 4 years(average,16.5 months).The mean MEPS at the last follow-up was 90.5 points (range,from 82 to 93 points),with 10 excellent and 4 good cases and one poor case.The Broberg & Morrey score system showed 11 patients with no articular cartilage degeneration (level-0),3 patients with level-1 degeneration,and 2 patients with level-2 degeneration.Conclusion The modified anconeus flap approach proposed in the present study provides clear surgical vision and needs no olecranon osteotomy or olecranon dissection or ablation of the major triceps brachii tendon for intercondylar humerus fractures,thereby leading to early active motion and satisfactory clinical outcomes.