[Percutaneous plate fixation of three and four-part proximal humerus fractures in elderly patients].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the treatment effect of three and four-part fractures of proximal humerus in elder patients using indirect reduction combined with locking proximal humeral plate (LPHP) fixation.


METHODS
From November 2004 to May 2008, 24 cases of proximal humeral three and four-part fracture were treated with percutaneous plate fixation using LPHP included 6 males and 18 females with an average age of 70 years old ranging from 55 to 88 years. The surgery was performed through antrolateral transdeoltoid approach. After extra articular capsule indirect reduction, the plate was inserted through the incision, and then an incision was made distal to previous incision to expose distal plate. The proximal fragments were fixed with 4 to 6 screws, and distal fragments were fixed with 3 screws. Shoulder exercises were performed at the 2nd to 3rd day after operation. Two weeks after operation, active shoulder exercise was done, which was gradually intensified 3 weeks after operation. The functional outcomes of the shoulder were assessed according to Constant score.


RESULTS
All the fractures united clinically and radiologically. The mean healing time was 10.5 weeks (8 to 21 weeks). The mean Constant score was 81.6 points (49 to 92 points). A total of 20 patients had excellent or satisfactory result, with only one scored as poor.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique of extra articular capsule indirect reduction combined LPHP internal fixation has the advantages of stable, easy to operate, less vascular damage and so on. It can effectively treat the proximal humerus three-and four-part fractures, especially to elder patients.
Li
Su-Ming
SM
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Nanjing Municipal Hospital of TCM, Nanjing 210001, Jiangsu, China.
Yang
Kai-Jin
KJ
Huang
Jian
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D012867:Skin; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome