[Effectiveness of AO anatomical locking compression plate in treating type C distal humeral fracture].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of the AO anatomical locking compression plate in treating type C distal humeral fracture.


METHODS
Between July 2008 and April 2009, 13 cases of type C distal humeral fracture were treated with the AO anatomical locking compression plates. There were 5 males and 8 females with an average age of 52.1 years (range, 24-80 years). Fractures were caused by tumbling in 7 cases, by traffic accident in 4 cases, and by falling from height in 2 cases. According to Association for Osteosynthesis/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, there were 3 cases of type C1, 6 cases of type C2, and 4 cases of type C3. Two cases complicated by ulnar nerve injuries, 1 by radial nerve injury, 2 by fractures of ulnar olecranon, 3 by fractures of other parts of extremities, and 6 by osteoporosis. The time from injury to hospitalization ranged from 3 hours to 4 days (0.9 day on average).


RESULTS
All the incisions achieved healing by first intention. Thirteen cases were followed up 12 to 21 months with an average of 15.9 months. According to the X-ray films, unions were achieved both at fracture site and the olecranon osteotomy site with a healing time of 8 to 13 weeks (10 weeks on average). The function of elbows recovered from 3 to 32 weeks (10 weeks on average). No fixation failure, myositis ossificans, delayed union, or malunion occurred during the follow-up. The Mayo Elbow Performance score ranged from 75 to 100 with an average score of 95.8; the results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case with an excellent and good rate of 92.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
The AO anatomical locking compression plate has a good fixation in treating type C distal humeral fracture. Through the approach of olecranon osteotomy, it is easy to get anatomical reduction, stable fixation, and early exercise.
Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, PR China.
Lihai
L
Zhang
Fangke
F
Hu
Licheng
L
Zhang
Hua
H
Chen
Meng
M
Xu
Yan
Y
Wang
Peifu
P
Tang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056740:Olecranon Process / Q000293:injuries; D014955:Wrist Joint