Early post-operative outcomes of plate versus nail fixation for humeral shaft fractures

IntroductionThis study was designed to measure early postoperative outcomes of plate vs. nail fixation for humeral shaft fractures.Patients and methodsPatients ≥18 years who underwent plate or nail fixation for low-energy humeral shaft fractures between 2005–2016 were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). Multivariable regression was used to compare postoperative outcomes using propensity score adjustment to account for differences between fixation groups. Variables included in the propensity score were age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, hypertension, steroid use, cancer, functional status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and sex.ResultsPlate fixation was used in 1418 patients (70.6%), while nail fixation was used in 591 (29.4%). Patients undergoing nail fixation were more likely to be older, have a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, and have comorbidities. Mean operative time was statistically longer in the plate fixation group (130 +/−62 min vs. 102 +/−54 min). After propensity score adjustment, type of fixation was not a significant predictor of major or minor complications, length of stay, or readmission. However, nail fixation was a significant predictor of mortality following propensity score adjustment (OR 3.15, 95% Confidence interval 1.26–7.85).ConclusionPatients undergoing intramedullary nail fixation tended to be older patients with more comorbidities, suggesting that surgeons are selecting nail fixation in patients who may not be ideal surgical candidates. Although LOS, complications, and readmission rates were higher in the nail group, this difference was not statistically significant following propensity score adjustment. However, nail fixation remained an independent predictor of 30-day mortality following adjustment. This suggests that nail fixation may not be a safer surgical option in patients with multiple medical co-morbidities and low-energy humeral shaft fractures.     

Revision with plates of humeral nonunions secondary to failed intramedullary nailing

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the results achieved after revision with plates of humeral nonunions secondary to failed intramedullary nailing.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 32 patients with humeral nonunions secondary to failed intramedullary nailing, treated by internal fixation with plates between 1998 and 2012. Nonunions were diaphyseal in 19 cases, they were located in the proximal humeral metaphysis in nine cases, and in the distal humeral metaphysis in four cases. There were 11 atrophic nonunions and 21 oligotrophic nonunions. Initial treatment was performed with static locked nails in 12 cases, nails with expansive locking systems in 11 cases, and using thin elastic nails in nine cases. The nails were placed antegrade in 18 cases and retrograde in 14 cases. Time between initial surgery and revision surgery averaged 14.5 months. In seven diaphyseal nonunions, the intramedullary nail was left in-situ. Bone graft was added in 25 cases.

Results

Follow-up averaged 35 months. Union was achieved in all cases, after an average of 3.8 months. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score at last follow-up averaged 14 points, and Constant’s score averaged 82 points. The analogue scale of pain averaged 0.8 points. Out of seven patients with radial nerve compromise, six recovered completely and one needed tendon transfers.

Conclusions

Revision with plates after failed intramedullary humeral nailing achieved union and good predictable objective and subjective results in all cases. Adequate implant selection and meticulous surgical technique are necessary to achieve successful osteosynthesis and bony union.     

Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fractures: outcome and complications as related to operative timing and pin configuration

Purpose

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are the most common fracture of the elbow in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in terms of outcomes and complications, Gartland type III pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures treated at a pediatric level-one trauma center over a 7-year period, specifically addressing the impact of time to surgery on the incidence of complications and conversion to open reduction.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 297 pediatric patients that sustained a closed Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fracture treated between December 2004 and December 2011. The time to the operating room was calculated from the medical records for each patient. The outcome measures evaluated were operative time, conversion to open procedure, and perioperative and postoperative complications.

Results

In our study, there were 30 complications in 25 children (8.4%). Conversion to open reduction occurred in 28 children (9.4%). The time from the emergency department to the operating room was not significantly correlated with increased complications, increased operative time, or conversion to open reduction (p > 0.05). Crossed pinning resulted in an increased risk of overall complications [odds ratio (OR) = 2.6] and iatrogenic nerve injuries (OR = 9.3). Complications also occurred more commonly in boys (OR = 3.3) and in older patients (p = 0.0069)

Conclusions

We found no significant correlation between the time to surgery and complications, operative time, or need for open reduction. These findings support the trend of treating Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fractures in a less urgent manner. In addition, our study supports the concept that cross pinning leads to more complications than lateral pinning, including an 8-fold increase in iatrogenic nerve injury.     

Aneurysmal bone cyst healing response with intramedullary lengthening nail

We report the treatment process of a pediatric patient with deformity and shortening in the arm after a recurrent aggressive aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) in the proximal humerus. The patient was treated with curettage of the lesion and lengthening on an intramedullary nail following an osteotomy just distal to the ABC. The period of lengthening was approximately 50 days. At the end of the treatment the lengthening goal was achieved without any neurovascular complication. There was a minimal loss in shoulder hyperabduction due to the deformity of the humeral head.     

双钢板技术及肱二头肌长头腱固定治疗肱骨近端Neer 3~4部分骨折

目的：探讨采用双钢板技术同时进行肱二头肌长头腱固定治疗肱骨近端Neer 3~4部分骨折的临床疗效。方法：2018年5月至2020年12月采用双钢板技术及肱二头肌长头腱固定治疗肱骨近端Neer 3~4部分骨折患者38例,其中男23例,女15例;年龄41~89（67.00±9.76）岁;Neer 3部分骨折23例,Neer 4部分骨折15例;伤后至手术时间5~12（8.00±2.86） d。术后第3天采用单维度疼痛数字评分法（numeric rating scale,NRS）评估疼痛程度;比较术后2 d及1年时肱骨头高度、肱骨颈干角变化情况;术后1年采用Neer评分评定术后肩关节恢复情况。结果：38例患者均获得随访,时间12~19（14.00±1.59）个月。术后3 d时NRS评分（1.95±0.73）分。骨折愈合时间2.2~3.2（2.60±0.27）个月。术后2 d与1年时肱骨头高度、肱骨颈干角比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。4例Neer 4部分骨折出现肱骨大结节吸收、肱骨头出现部分囊性变,但肩关节活动功能良好。术后1年Neer评分（89.50±5.19）分,其中优20例,良16例,中2例。结论：采用双钢板技术及肱二头肌长头腱固定治疗肱骨近端Neer 3~4部分骨折,治疗效果良好,术后疼痛较轻,手术无须特殊器械。     

锁定加压钢板联合内侧支撑钢板治疗骨质疏松性肱骨近端粉碎性骨折

目的：探讨肱骨近端外侧锁定加压钢板联合内侧支撑钢板治疗骨质疏松性肱骨近端粉碎性骨折的临床疗效。方法：自2017年5月至2021年12月采用肱骨近端外侧锁定加压钢板联合内侧支撑钢板治疗12例骨质疏松性肱骨近端粉碎性骨折患者,男5例,女7例;年龄55~78岁;骨密度<-2.5 g/cm³;伤后至手术时间2~6 d。Neer分型：Ⅲ型骨折7例;Ⅳ型骨折4例;Ⅵ型1例。观察患者手术并发症及内固定情况,并于术后6个月采用Constant-Murley评分评价肩关节功能。结果：术后伤口Ⅰ期愈合。12例患者均获得随访,时间6~18个月。肱骨头塌陷坏死1例,肱骨头内翻1例,无肩关节撞击、内固定松动等并发症发生。术后6个月Constant-Murley肩关节评分45~90分,其中优6例,良3例,差3例。结论：锁定加压钢板联合内侧支撑钢板固定可有效重建肱骨内侧柱支撑,加强骨折稳定性,术后疗效满意。但因未设立对照组,术后肩关节功能未多次评价,不能动态反应肩关节功能变化。     

半肩置换与锁定钢板治疗骨质疏松性三、四部分肱骨近端骨折的疗效对比

【】目的：对比半肩置换与锁定钢板治疗骨质疏松症患者的三、四部分肱骨近端骨折临床疗效。方法：对2010年1月至2016年1月收治且获得随访的42例三、四部分肱骨近端骨折患者进行回顾性分析。根据内固定方式不同分为两组,半肩置换组15例,锁定钢板组27例。比较两组患者的手术时间、Constant评分、SST评分、肩关节活动范围、住院时间、术后并发症发生情况。结果：半肩置换组与锁定钢板组在手术时间上差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。两组患者健侧肩关节Constant评分差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),在术后患侧肩关节Constant评分锁定钢板组优于半肩置换组(65.7±5.5 vs 71.1±5.3),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。患者肩关节SST评分锁定钢板组也要优于半肩置换组(6.9±1.3 vs 8.3±1.2)。在前屈、外展、内旋、外旋活动范围上,半肩置换组分别平均为97.8°、75.6°、46.5°、19.5°,锁定钢板组分别为114.1°、99.6°、59.7°、27.1°,半肩置换组的活动功能均小于锁定钢板组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。结论：对于没有绝对肱骨头置换指针的肱骨近端三、四部分骨折,锁定钢板治疗效果优于半肩置换。