title: Outcome of Surgical Fixation of Lateral Column Distal Humerus Fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to report the long-term outcome and complications of surgically fixated lateral unicondylar distal humerus fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective Review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two level 1 Trauma Centers, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2002 and 2014, 24 patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation for lateral unicondylar distal humerus fractures (OTA/AO type B1 fractures) were retrospectively reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open reduction and internal fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Union rates, early complications, functional outcome, and the range of elbow motion were evaluated. Disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand, Mayo elbow Performance Index, satisfaction, pain scale, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients was 46 ± 23 years at the time of surgery. The average final flexion/extension arc of motion was 108°. Reoperations were performed in 9 of 24 elbows after an average 21 ± 31 months. Twenty of the 24 patients were available for the clinical follow-up at an average of 70 months (range: 16-144 months). Disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand averaged at 10.8 ± 11.7 points, satisfaction at 9.5 ± 1.2, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score at 88.5 ± 13.3 points at final follow-up. Based on the functional classification proposed by Jupiter, 16 demonstrated good to excellent results, 2 fair and 2 poor result.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outcome of open reduction and internal fixation of isolated lateral column distal humerus fractures can result in high union rates with acceptable outcome scores and high patient satisfaction despite a high reoperation rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Von Keudell
authors.forename: Amir R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Kachooei
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moradi
authors.forename: Jesse B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jupiter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000070799:Open Fracture Reduction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult