title: Results of surgical treatment of intra-articular (ao-c3) distal humeral fractures in adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The results of intra-articular comminuted distal humeral fractures, which have been treated by open reduction and dual plate fixation, are compared in this study with previously published results.
  
  
  METHODS
  At Uludag University Faculty of Medicine Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, between 1995 and 2002, the results of 20 cases were evaluated in patients with intra-articular comminuted distal humer- alfractures, who had been treated by open reduction and internal jixation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven (55%) cases were male, nine (45%) were female and mean age was 40.6 (range; 18 to 76). All fractures were C3 type according to AO/ASIF classification. Eight (40%) cases were open fractures and of these, six ( 30% ) were type 3A and 2 ( 1 0% ) were type 3B on the Gustilo-Anderson classification. All the fractures were jixed with dual plate after open reduction. In 25% ~f the cases, superficial wound infection was observed and in 5% heterotopic ossification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In adult distal humeral. fractures of type C3, stabilization by dual plate, following open reduction and early commencement of joint movements, has fewer complications and should he the preferred method of treatment. Key Words: Distal humeral, fracture, intra-articular, dual plate. fixation.
authors.affiliation: Uludag Universitesi Tip Fakultesi Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Anabilim Dali, Bursa, Turkey. kdurak@uludag.edu.tr
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Durak
authors.forename: Bartu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sariozen
authors.forename: Cagatay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozturk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D000092464:Elbow Injuries