title: "Sandwich technique" in the surgical treatment of primary complex fractures of the femur and humerus.
abstract: In this prospective study, our aim was to determine the clinical and radiographic outcomes of the surgical treatment of primary complex problem femoral and humeral shaft fractures treated by a new technique called "sandwich technique." A total of 45 patients with comminuted, complex and/or osteopoenic fractures of the femur or humerus (30 femoral and 15 humeral fractures) were treated using this technique. The patients were followed up for a mean of 25 months. In 24 (85.7%) of 28 patients with femoral fractures and in 14 (93.3%) of 15 patients with humeral fractures, union was achieved within 3-6 months of the operation (mean: 4.5 months). The total union rate was 88.4%. The pseudoarthrosis rate was 12%. There was no infection or implant failure seen during the follow-up period. The cortical allograft struts can be used to provide collateral support to weakened osteopoenic/osteoporotic bone. This technique provides a union rate of about 88% in osteoporotic and/or complex primary humerus or femur fractures.
authors.affiliation: Florence Nightingale Hospital, Abide-i Hurriyet Caddesi No: 290, 80220, Sişli, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gogus
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tezer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Camurdan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamzaoglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011542:Pseudarthrosis; D011859:Radiography