Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Treatment of comminuted three- and four-part displaced proximal humerus fractures continues to be discussed in daily trauma practice. In fractures with metaphyseal comminuted fractures the anatomical reconstruction is often technically unfeasible.
For cases of comminuted metaphyseal proximal humerus fractures we proposed the so called non-anatomical reconstruction with simple osteosynthesis. Even today, when nailing and plating are commonly used in osteosynthesis, the non-anatomical reconstruction plays an irreplaceable role.
Its application is conditioned by at least partially preserved vascular blood supply of the head fragment. This paper describes our original technique to manage these fractures and provides an evaluation of results of the group of patients in whom this procedure was performed.
MATERIAL AND METHODS Our group included a total of 72 patients (who underwent surgery in the period from 1 January 1989 to 22 March 2016), of whom 57 were clinically assessed (8 patients died, 7 patients failed to be traced back). The mean age at the time of procedure was 53.61 years (range 19-81 years).
The mean follow-up was 14.3 years (range 0.3-26.3 years) after the surgery. The method consists in removing the comminution zone, impacted modified diaphyseal fragment to head spongiosis and osteosynthesis of greater and lesser tubercle or their remainders to diaphyseal fragment using tensile cerclage.
RESULTS The mean post-operative Constant score was 81.4 (range 30-100 points). The mean abduction was 120.4 degrees (range 60-165 degrees) and ventral flexion was 129.2 degrees (range 70-170 degrees).
Excellent clinical outcome according to the Constant score was achieved in 19 patients, good outcome in 23 patients, fair in 8 patients and poor in 7 patients. DISCUSSION We have been using our original method for 27 years.
Compared to osteosynthesis by locking plates, minimally invasive procedures and trauma shoulder joint replacement, our method helps achieve very good clinical outcomes. Its main advantage, however, is the fact that by this technique the specific type of fractures can be treated, otherwise manageable exclusively by arthroplasty.
CONCLUSIONS At our clinic, the non-anatomical reconstruction belongs to irreplaceable methods for treating certain proximal humerus fractures. The clinical outcomes of this method can be described as very good.
The method of non-anatomical reconstruction eliminates the disadvantages and risks of arthroplasty. Nonetheless, it shall be stressed that this method can be successful exclusively when applied to precisely indicated types of fractures and when performed with technical precision.
Its another advantage are the minimal financial requirements.