Hinge plate technique for osteosynthesis of comminuted proximal humeral fractures. 2021

Nermine Habib, and Paolo Fornaciari, and Gregoire Thuerig, and Mauro Maniglio, and Moritz Tannast, and Philippe Vial
University of Fribourg Medical School, Switzerland; Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Fribourg Cantonal Hospital, Switzerland; Lugano Regional Hospital, Switzerland.

BACKGROUND Several surgical techniques of osteosynthesis have been described for treatment of proximal humeral fractures. There is evidence that the quality of reduction improves the clinical outcome and decreases the number of complications. Reduction of the medial calcar is tricky when standard manoeuvres are performed. We have therefore augmented our standard surgical technique with a low-profile medial hinge plate which aims at better reconstructing the medial metaphysis without extensile soft tissue dissection in combination with proximal humerus locked plating. OBJECTIVE Evaluate the radiological and clinical outcome after application of an augmented fixation with a low-profile medial hinge plate. We questioned: (i) The quality of reduction, (ii) The rate of complications, (iii) The clinical function in terms of the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS). METHODS A retrospective single-centre case series. Between 2016 and 2019, patients who had undergone open reduction and osteosynthesis by an anatomical locking plate associated with a 2.0 mm locking compression plate used as a hinge to support the medial metaphysis. Thirty-four patients, with an average age of 64 years had a clinical and/or radiological average follow-up of 36 months. RESULTS The preoperative imaging identified three fractures in two parts, 19 fractures in three parts and 12 fractures in four parts. Seven cases with fracture-dislocation were identified, one head-split fracture, and 14 cases with a metaphyseal head extension of less than 8 mm. After comparing head-shaft displacement, cranialisation of the greater tuberosity as well as head-shaft alignment in the preoperative and postoperative radiographs, overall anatomical or near-anatomical fracture reduction was achieved in 27 of the patients. Only two cases presented postoperative complications. The two cases were complicated with nonunion without screw perforation requiring surgical intervention by re-osteosynthesis. The clinical outcome assessed by the OSS showed an average of 45/48. The age of the group with anatomical or near anatomical reduction and the group with at least one parameter of malreduction was significantly different, 65 and 74 years respectively (p<0.05). No significant differences were found when comparing the sex, surgical time, time to operation or the number of fracture parts. CONCLUSIONS The technique described provides a surgical treatment option with lower complication rates and a quality of reduction consistent with the current literature as well as a satisfactory clinical outcome.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D001860 Bone Plates Implantable fracture fixation devices attached to bone fragments with screws to bridge the fracture gap and shield the fracture site from stress as bone heals. (UMDNS, 1999) Bone Plate,Plate, Bone,Plates, Bone
D005593 Fracture Fixation, Internal The use of internal devices (metal plates, nails, rods, etc.) to hold the position of a fracture in proper alignment. Osteosynthesis, Fracture,Fixation, Internal Fracture,Fixations, Internal Fracture,Fracture Fixations, Internal,Fracture Osteosyntheses,Fracture Osteosynthesis,Internal Fracture Fixation,Internal Fracture Fixations,Osteosyntheses, Fracture
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006810 Humeral Fractures Fractures of the HUMERUS. Humeri Fractures,Humerus Fractures,Fracture, Humeral,Fracture, Humeri,Fracture, Humerus,Humeral Fracture,Humeri Fracture,Humerus Fracture
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective
D012784 Shoulder Fractures Fractures of the proximal humerus, including the head, anatomic and surgical necks, and tuberosities. Humeral Fractures, Proximal,Humeral Head Fracture,Humeral Head Fracture Dislocation,Greater Tuberosity Fractures,Fracture, Greater Tuberosity,Fracture, Humeral Head,Fracture, Proximal Humeral,Fracture, Shoulder,Fractures, Shoulder,Greater Tuberosity Fracture,Head Fracture, Humeral,Humeral Fracture, Proximal,Humeral Head Fractures,Proximal Humeral Fracture,Proximal Humeral Fractures,Shoulder Fracture
D016896 Treatment Outcome Evaluation undertaken to assess the results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions in individual cases or series. Rehabilitation Outcome,Treatment Effectiveness,Clinical Effectiveness,Clinical Efficacy,Patient-Relevant Outcome,Treatment Efficacy,Effectiveness, Clinical,Effectiveness, Treatment,Efficacy, Clinical,Efficacy, Treatment,Outcome, Patient-Relevant,Outcome, Rehabilitation,Outcome, Treatment,Outcomes, Patient-Relevant,Patient Relevant Outcome,Patient-Relevant Outcomes
D018460 Fractures, Comminuted A fracture in which the bone is splintered or crushed into a number of pieces. Comminuted Fracture,Comminuted Fractures,Fracture, Comminuted

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