Abstract：Objective To investigate effects of ACUMED self-orientated elbow plate system in treatment of comminuted distal humeral fractures (type C) in adults. Methods Thirty-two adult cases of comminuted distal humeral fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with parallel dual plates from May 2009 to October 2010 were enrolled in the study. There were 17 males and 15 females, at average age of 60 years （range, 21-85 years）. All cases were subjected to closed fractures, involving left side in 15 cases and right side in 17. Besides, two cases had associated ulnar nerve injury. According to AO classification, there were 12 cases of type C1, 12 of type C2 and eight of type C3 fractures. The time from injury to operation averaged 5.6 days. Distal humeri were exposed through posterior median incision of elbow and “V” shape osteotomy of olecroanon. Muscular contractile and relaxant functional exercise was taken within 24 hours postoperatively. Clinical results were assessed based on Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and X-ray films. Results X-ray films showed that all cases obtained primary bone healing in the follow-up (mean 12 months). Three cases of type C3 fractures had heterotopic ossification. All cases had no complications like infections or implant loosening postoperatively. Range of motion in elbow flexion and extension averaged 85° ( range, 8°-140°). MEPS was average 90 points (range, 60-100 points), including excellent outcomes in 13 cases, good in 15, fair in one and poor in three, with excellence rate of 88%. Conclusion ACUMED parallel dual plate fixation technique based on stability theory of arch structure achieves solid fixation of adult comminuted distal humeral fractures, successfully reconstructs bone structure of distal humeri, and effectively restores elbow joint function in response to early rehabilitation exercise.
DAI He-ling,SUN Tian-sheng,LIU Zhi et al. ACUMED self-orientated elbow plate instruments for type C distal humeral fractures in adults[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF TRAUMA, 2013, 29(2): 132-135.
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