Evaluation of outcome of distal humerus fracture fixation by two-locked plates

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the results of operative management of distal humerus fracture fixation by two-locked plates. Materials and method: This was a retrospective study involving 72 patients with distal humeral fractures who were managed surgically by fixation with two-locked parallel plates at Al- Gamhoria Teaching Hospital, and two private hospitals, in Aden, Yemen, between January 2018 and December 2020. The data was entered into a computer and analyzed using SPSS program version 17. For variables difference, chi-square tests, and P values were calculated. A p- value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The total study patients were 72 and they were (79.2%) males and (20.8%) with a ratio of male to female of 3.8:1. The mean age of the patients was 37.8 ± 15.3 years and the age ranged between 11 and 75 years. Most of the patients (69.4%) were of age 40 years, while more than 40 years old represented (30.6%). Causes of fractures were gunshots (56.9%) followed by road traffic accidents (37.5%). Left side was predominant with (62.5%). Type of injuries were open with (73.6%) and closed with (26.4%). Partially articular fractures were in (86.1%) of cases and complete articular fractures were in (13.9%) cases. Transpositions of ulnar nerve were found in (65.3%) cases. Ulnar nerve neuropraxia was found in (5.6%) cases and the Range of Motion (ROM) was limited (pron. – sup 30-45/flex – exten 30 – 130) in (29.2%) cases and no range of motion in (9.7%) cases. Non-union was found in (4.2%) cases while superficial infection was in (5.6%) cases. Stiffness was found in (9.7%) cases. Conclusion: This study revealed that managing the distal humeral fractures by internal fixation of two Parallel-Plates gives satisfactory results. Key words: distal humerus, fracture, internal fixation, locking plate, outcome