title: Minimal invasive fixation of proximal humeral fractures with an intramedullary nail: good results in elderly patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report on the results of a minimally invasive technique for the fixation of displaced proximal humeral fractures with a locked intramedullary nail.
  
  
  METHODS
  All consecutive patients treated with a T2 intramedullary nail between 2004 and 2007 were evaluated. Thirty-three patients were included [mean age 78, m:f ratio (1:4)]. Fracture characteristics were classified according to AO and Neer (eighteen 2-part, eleven 3-part, five 4-part fractures).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Functional outcome (Constant Score) was excellent in nine, satisfactory in eight and poor in three patients. Subjective outcome was satisfactory to good for patients with 2-part and 3-part fractures but poor for 4-part fractures. Major complications comprised four fixation failures, two cases of impingement and one deep infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minimally invasive fixation of displaced 2-part and 3-part humeral fractures in an elderly population shows satisfactory to excellent results in 80% of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical Center Haaglanden, The Hague, The Netherlands. nico.sosef@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nico
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sosef
authors.forename: Roderick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Leerdam
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meylaerts
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rhemrev
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome