Percutaneous humeral plating of fractures of the proximal humerus: results of a prospective multicenter clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and functional outcome of a recently described surgical technique of percutaneous plating for proximal humerus fractures.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
: Two urban Level 1 university trauma centers.


METHODS
From February 2002 to December 2003, 34 consecutive patients underwent surgery by 5 trauma surgeons from 2 teaching hospitals. Twenty-seven patients had 1-year follow-up.


METHODS
The technique involved 2 minimal incisions with a lateral deltoid split and a more distal shaft incision. A proximal humerus-specific locking plate was implemented.


METHODS
DASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand) and Constant-Murley evaluation scores were used for functional evaluation. The presence of complications was noted.


RESULTS
Specifically, there were no axillary nerve injury injuries and no loss of reduction. The average Constant score at 1 year was 82 and the DASH score was 26.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that the functional outcome results correspond to a normal age-adjusted score signifying an acceptable result.
Laflamme
George Yves
GY
University of Montreal, Sacre-Coeur Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada. orthofac@videotron.ca
Rouleau
Dominique M
DM
Berry
Gregory K
GK
Beaumont
Pierre H
PH
Reindl
Rudolf
R
Harvey
Edward J
EJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors