Objective To compare the cl inical results of two plating osteosynthesis techniques, open reduction and plating ostosynthesis (ORPO) and minimal invasive plating osteosynthesis (MIPO), in surgical treatment of mid-distal humeralshaft fractures. Methods From March 2004 to October 2006, 40 cases of closed unilateral mid-distal humeral shaft fractures were surgically treated with MIPO or ORPO. In the MIPO treated group (n=19), there were 14 males and 5 females, with a mean age of 39.05 years. Fractures involved in middle humeral shaft in 10 cases and distal fragment in 9 cases. According to OTA classification, there were 3 cases of type A, 13 cases of type B and 3 cases of type C. Four cases compl icated by radial nerve palsies. In the ORPO treated group (n=21), there were 13 males and 8 females with a mean age of 39.05 years, including 14 cases of type A and 7 cases of type B fractures according to OTA classification. The fractures involved in middle humeral shaft in 13 cases and distal fragment in 8 cases. Five cases compl icated by radial nerve palsies. The time from injury to operation in both groups were 2 to 14 days. For patients in the MIPO group, fractures were closely reduced and fixated with an anterior placed plate inserted through two small incisions made at the anterior side of arm, away from fracture sites. The radial nerves were not exposed. For patients in the ORPO group, fractures were exposed, reduced, and fixated with an anterolateral or a posterior positioned plate after careful dissection and protection of radial nerve through an anterolateral or a posterior approach. The operation time, the occurrence of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy and the bone heal ing time were recorded. The functions of the affected shouldersand elbows were evaluated with UCLA end-result score and Mayo elbow perform index (MEPI), respectively. Results All the wounds in both groups healed primarily. There was no iatrogenic radial nerve palsies in the MIPO group after surgery; however, 5 cases of transient iatrogenic radial nerve palsies were identified in the ORPO group after surgery, and the function of radial nerve recovered in these cases at the last follow-up. Eighteen cases were followed up 14-44 months (mean 25.44 months) in MIPO group, and 19 cases were followed up 13-48 months (mean 32.11 months) in ORPO group. The mean bone heal ing time was 17.06 (12-32) weeks in MIPO group and 16.11 (8-58) weeks in ORPO group, showing no significant difference between two groups (P gt; 0.05). There was no nonunion and hardware failure in both groups. The mean forward flexion of the shoulder was 166.94° (150-170°) in MIPO group and 164.74° (130-170°) in ORPO group. The mean UCLA shoulder score was 34.78 (33-35) points in MIPO group and 34.42 (30-35) points in ORPO group. The mean range of motion of the elbow in MIPO and ORPO groups was 133.33° (120-140°) and 136.7° (120-140°), respectively. The MEPI in these two groups was 99.44 (90-100) and 99.74 (95-100) points, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in all indexes mentioned above. Conclusion The good results could be obtained when ORPO and MIPO technique are appl ied to treat mid-distal humeral shaft fractures. MIPO technique has advantages to not expose the radial nerve and to decrease the occurrence of iatrogenic radial nerve palsies.
To explore the possibil ity of treating mid-distal humeral shaft fractures associated with radial nerve palsies with minimal invasive plating osteosynthesis (MIPO) techniques. Methods From April 2003 to October 2006, 10 patients with mid-distal humeral shaft fractures associated with radial nerve palsies were treated. All patients were male, aged 19-58 years. According to AO/ASIF classification, there were 4 cases of B1 type, 2 cases of B3 type, 1 case of A2 type, 1 caseof B2 type, 1 case of C3 type and 1 case of A3 type. A straight 4.5 mm dynamic compression plate was placed on the anterior aspect of humerus through two small incisions located on the anterior side of proximal and distal part of the arm. The radial nerve exploration was performed through a lateral small incision made on the fracture site. The fractures were then reduced by manual manipulation and the plate was fixated to the main fragments with 3 screws in each end of the plate. The postoperative compl ications, the bone heal ing time, and the recovery time of the radial nerve functions were recorded. The functions of the affected shoulder and elbow were assessed with UCLA and Mayo elbow performance score system respectively. Results All incision healed by first intention. Ten patients were followed up 9-36 months with an average of 15.7 months. The X-ray films showed that the union of fractures was achieved 12-16 weeks (13.6 weeks on average). The function of the radial nerves recovered completely 12-36 weeks (17.8 weeks on average) in 9 patients. The abductions of the affected shoulder were 150-170° (165° on average). The ROM of the elbows were 130-140° (135.5° on average). According to the UCLA shoulder scoring system, 9 patients achieved the excellent result and 1 patient achieved the good result. All the patients had the excellent results according to Mayo elbow performance score system. Conclusion The mid-distal humeral shaft fractures associated with radial nervepalsies can be treated with MIPO technique and the good results can be obtained.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of two minimally invasive methods: minimally invasive plating osteosynthesis (MIPO) and expandable intramedullary nail ing technique in treatment of middle third humeral shaft fractures. Methods The cl inical data were retrospectively analyzed and compared from 33 cases with middle third humeral shaft fractures between May 2004 and December 2008. All the patients were divided into 2 groups: 14 patients were treated with MIPOtechnique (group A) and 19 with expandable intramedullary nail ing technique (group B). In group A, there were 10 males and 4 females with an average age of 35 years (range, 21-51 years). The disease cause was traffic accident in 5 cases, tumbl ing in 6 cases, machine related trauma in 2 cases, crushed by a heavy object in 1 case. Six fractures were classified as AO type A, 6 as type B, and 2 as type C. The time from injury to operation was 3 to 11 days with an average of 5.9 days. In group B, there were 12 males and 7 females with an average age of 40 years (range, 19-68 years). The disease cause was traffic accident in 7 cases, tumbl ing in 8 cases, fall ing from height in 3 cases, crush injury in 1 case. Ten fractures were classified as AO type A, 8 as type B, and 1 as type C. The time from injury to operation was 2 to 6 days with an average of 4.2 days. There was no significant difference in general data between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results The operation time was (104.6 ± 25.8) minutes in group A and (85.0 ± 35.7) minutes in group B, showing no significant difference (P gt; 0.05). Incision healed by first intention without iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in 2 groups. The patientswere followed up 21.4 months on average (range, 12-37 months) in group A and 20.5 months on average (range, 22-35 months) in group B. The X-ray films showed bony heal ing in all patients. The fracture union time was (16.4 ± 6.1) weeks in group A and (15.0 ± 2.5) weeks in group B, showing no significant difference (P gt; 0.05). The University of Cal ifornia Los Angeles (UCLA) End- Result scores were 34.1 ± 1.1 in group A and 31.8 ± 2.6 in group B and the Mayo Elbow Performance scores were 100 in group A and 97.6 ± 3.9 in group B; all showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Good cl inical outcomes could be obtained when middle third humeral shaft fractures are treated by either MIPO or expandable intramedullary nail ing techniques. However, MIPO technique could offer better shoulder and elbow functional results.