TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparison between anterior and posterior plating systems in extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal humeral fractures
AU - Shin, Sang Jin
AU - Kwak, Ji Woong
AU - Sohn, Hoon Sang
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to SICOT aisbl.
PY - 2022/9
Y1 - 2022/9
N2 - Purpose: The ideal surgical treatment of extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal humeral fractures is controversial in terms of the surgical approach and plate position. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between anterior and posterior plating methods for extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal humeral fractures. Methods: Twenty-four patients were treated with anterior plating with modified placement of the proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) plate, and 22 patients were treated with posterior plating of the extra-articular distal humerus plate (EADHP). Patient demographics, the fracture configuration, the number of screws in the distal fragment, the operation time, and the time to union were analyzed. The range of elbow motion, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), plate-related symptoms, and complications were evaluated at the final follow-up. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the demographic data between the two groups. The mean operation time for anterior plating (108.2 ± 24.5 min) was significantly shorter than that for posterior plating (144.2 ± 29.5 minutes, p < 0.001). The average number of screws used in the distal humeral fragment was significantly higher with anterior plating (5.7 ± 0.7) than with posterior plating (4.8 ± 0.5, p < 0.001). No patients in the anterior plating group had plate-related symptoms, while 17 patients in the posterior plating group (77%) had discomfort or cosmetic problems related to the plate (p < 0.001). Plate removal was performed upon patient request in nine patients of the posterior plating (52.9%) and four (17%) in anterior plating (p = 0.040). Nonunion occurred in one patient who underwent anterior plating, and one patient who underwent posterior plating had post-operative radial nerve palsy. There were no significant differences in the MEPS or elbow range of motion between the two surgical methods. Conclusion: Both anterior and posterior plating provide satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes for extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal humeral fractures. Despite the satisfactory outcomes, however, posterior plating is highly associated with plate-related complaints, which might be one of the considerations when the surgical method is selected for extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal humeral fractures.
AB - Purpose: The ideal surgical treatment of extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal humeral fractures is controversial in terms of the surgical approach and plate position. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between anterior and posterior plating methods for extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal humeral fractures. Methods: Twenty-four patients were treated with anterior plating with modified placement of the proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) plate, and 22 patients were treated with posterior plating of the extra-articular distal humerus plate (EADHP). Patient demographics, the fracture configuration, the number of screws in the distal fragment, the operation time, and the time to union were analyzed. The range of elbow motion, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), plate-related symptoms, and complications were evaluated at the final follow-up. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the demographic data between the two groups. The mean operation time for anterior plating (108.2 ± 24.5 min) was significantly shorter than that for posterior plating (144.2 ± 29.5 minutes, p < 0.001). The average number of screws used in the distal humeral fragment was significantly higher with anterior plating (5.7 ± 0.7) than with posterior plating (4.8 ± 0.5, p < 0.001). No patients in the anterior plating group had plate-related symptoms, while 17 patients in the posterior plating group (77%) had discomfort or cosmetic problems related to the plate (p < 0.001). Plate removal was performed upon patient request in nine patients of the posterior plating (52.9%) and four (17%) in anterior plating (p = 0.040). Nonunion occurred in one patient who underwent anterior plating, and one patient who underwent posterior plating had post-operative radial nerve palsy. There were no significant differences in the MEPS or elbow range of motion between the two surgical methods. Conclusion: Both anterior and posterior plating provide satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes for extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal humeral fractures. Despite the satisfactory outcomes, however, posterior plating is highly associated with plate-related complaints, which might be one of the considerations when the surgical method is selected for extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal humeral fractures.
KW - Extra-articular distal humerus plate
KW - Extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal humeral fractures
KW - Open plating
KW - PHILOS
KW - Plate-related symptom
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85130111952&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00264-022-05435-9
DO - 10.1007/s00264-022-05435-9
M3 - Article
C2 - 35575805
AN - SCOPUS:85130111952
SN - 0341-2695
VL - 46
SP - 2119
EP - 2126
JO - International Orthopaedics
JF - International Orthopaedics
IS - 9
ER -