Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Proximal Humerus Fractures: A Retrospective Study Describing Principles and Advantages of the Technique

Minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis for the dislocated humeral head fracture associated with ipsilateral humeral shaft fracture: A case report

The condition combining a dislocated humeral head fracture and an ipsilateral humeral shaft fracture is seen to be rare in literature, which is limited to case report or case series. Furthermore, effective management of these coexistent injuries is still a subject of debate. The essential purpose of this article is to report another treatment method for this condition. We present a case of a 79-year-old female patient who suffered a three-part humeral head fracture-dislocation associated with the ipsilateral humeral shaft fracture. The combined injuries were managed by minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) through the deltopectoral approach with the eventual result of bone healing and good function after thirty-three months of follow-up. In conclusion, MIPO should be considered a safe and effective option, however, the risk of traumatic osteonecrosis of the humeral head is taken into account before operation decision-making.

Minimally invasive open reduction of greater tuberosity fractures by a modified suture bridge procedure

BACKGROUND

Most greater tuberosity fractures can be treated without surgery but some have a poor prognosis. The surgical procedures for avulsion fractures of the humeral greater tuberosity include screw fixation, suture anchor fixation, and plate fixation, all of which have treatment-associated complications. To decrease surgical complications, we used a modified suture bridge procedure under direct vision and a minimally invasive small incision to fix fractures of the greater tuberosity of the humerus.

AIM

To investigate the clinical efficacy and outcomes of minimally invasive modified suture bridge open reduction of greater tuberosity evulsion fractures.

METHODS

Sixteen patients diagnosed between January 2016 and January 2019 with an avulsion-type greater tuberosity fracture of the proximal humerus and treated by minimally invasive open reduction and modified suture bridges with anchors were studied retrospectively. All were followed up by clinical examination and radiographs at 3 and 6 wk, 3, 6 and 12 mo after surgery, and thereafter every 6 mo. Outcomes were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively by a visual analog scale (VAS), the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon score (ASES), and range of motion (ROM) for shoulders.

RESULTS

Seven men and nine women, with an average age of 44.94 years, were evaluated. The time between injury and surgery was 1-2 d, with an average of 1.75 d. The mean operation time was 103.1 ± 7.23 min. All patients achieved bone union within 3 mo after surgery. VAS scores were significantly decreased (P = 0.002), and the mean degrees of forward elevation (P = 0.047), mean degrees of abduction (P = 0.035), ASES score (P = 0.092) were increased at 3 wk. The UCLA score was increased at 6 wk (P = 0.029) after surgery. The average degrees of external rotation and internal rotation both improved at 3 mo after surgery (P = 0.012 and P = 0.007, respectively). No procedure-related deaths or incision-related superficial or deep tissue infections occurred.

CONCLUSION

Modified suture bridge was effective for the treatment of greater tuberosity evulsion fractures, was easier to perform, and had fewer implants than other procedures.

The role of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique for treating 3- and 4-part proximal humerus fractures in the elderly - a case study

Background and aim of the work:

Proximal humeral fractures incidence in the elderly population is increasing. Treatment management is complicated by fracture complexity and patients’ comorbidities. The aim of our prospective study is the outcome evaluation of the role of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for elderly patients with a 3- or 4-parts proximal humeral fractures having an intact medial wall.

Methods:

N=45 patients were selected using inclusion criteria (>75yo, unilateral 3- or 4-parts proximal humeral fracture and with a surgical indication). We analyzed n=42 fractures treated with MIPO (3 patients had been reversed to ORIF and arthroplasty intraoperatively): n=20 4-parts fractures and n=22 were 3-parts. Of the 42 operated patients 17 identified as male and 25 as female (mean age 84yo). A trans-deltoid approach has been used with minimal surgical exposure and tissue damage to preserve the local tissue for early shoulder mobilization.

Results:

At follow-up, the DASH recorded mean value was 72, while the Constant mean score was 68. Complications have been recorded in 23,8% of patients with 4-parts fractures having the highest complication frequency. Mean shoulder joint ROM was recorded: anterior elevation 75°, lateral elevation 80°, abduction 90°, intra-rotation 50°, extra-rotation 25°. The following factors were identified influencing the outcome: >8mm calcar fragment, head valgus impaction and periosteal medial hinge preservation.

Conclusions:

The increase in population longevity matches the increase in complex humeral fracture frequency. We strongly for management consensus for proximal humerus fracture, in a similar way as for neck femoral fractures. MIPO is excellent in reducing soft tissue damage and complications for elderly patients with limited functional demand. (www.actabiomedica.it)

A Biomechanical Study of Tuberosity-Based Locked Plate Fixation Compared with Standard Proximal Humeral Locking Plate Fixation for 3-Part Proximal Humeral Fractures

BACKGROUND

One of the main shortcomings of current proximal humeral plate designs is their inability to reliably secure the greater tuberosity (GT) or lesser tuberosity, leading to fixation failure, nonunion, and rotator cuff dysfunction. Traditional proximal humeral locking plates (PHLPs) rely on isolated screw fixation or suture repair to maintain reduction of the greater and/or lesser tuberosities. This study evaluates a tuberosity-based plate (TBP) specifically designed to improve tuberosity fixation, which may decrease tuberosity displacement and related clinical sequelae.

METHODS

Five cadaveric specimens (10 shoulders) were randomized to receive either standard PHLP or TBP fixation. The specimens were skeletonized except for the rotator cuff insertion on the GT. A reproducible 3-part osteotomy was performed for each cadaver, creating head, shaft, and GT segments. Anatomic reduction and plate fixation were performed according to the surgical technique guide for each plate system, with an equal number of screws placed in each plate both proximally and distally. GT fixation was enhanced with standardized suture augmentation through the rotator cuff in every specimen in both groups. In each trial, fracture displacement, load to failure, number of cycles endured, and mechanism of failure were noted.

RESULTS

The mean load to tuberosity fixation failure for the PHLP and TBP groups was 220 and 502 N (P = 0.005), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The TBP had a significantly higher load to failure and significantly lower mean fracture displacement compared with the PHLP.

Complication rate after operative treatment of three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus: locking plate osteosynthesis versus proximal humeral nail

PURPOSE

There is still disagreement regarding the optimal surgical treatment of three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus. The aim of this monocentric, retrospective study was to compare the complication rate of internal fixation with a locking plate versus proximal humeral nailing after a one-year follow-up.

METHODS

From 2005 to 2016, 292 patients suffered a fracture of the proximal humerus and were treated surgically at our level-I trauma center. According to the inclusion criteria, 50 patients were included in this study: 19 of these (11 three-part fractures and 8 four-part fractures) were treated with a proximal humeral nail (HN) and 31 (12 three-part fractures and 19 four-part fractures) with a locking plate (LP) osteosynthesis. Classification was performed according to the Hertel classification. At a 1-year follow-up, the complication rate of the two treatment methods was compared.

RESULTS

Twenty patients (40%) suffered at least one complication. Of these, six patients (12%) were treated with a HN and 14 (28%) with a LP (p = 0.39). The most frequent complication was screw perforation (22%), followed by non-union (16%). Humeral head necrosis (10%) occurred only in the LP cohort. One wound infection occurred in a patient treated with a HN. Four-part fractures were treated more frequently with a LP. However, the difference was non-significant in this sample (p = 0.186).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study provide some evidence that in terms of complication rate, both treatment options are comparable for internal fixation of three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus. The type of fracture seems to be decisive for the choice of implant.