Minimally invasive stabilization of distal humerus fractures: a pilot study with biomechanical evaluation.
Technol Health Care
; 22(6): 909-13, 2014.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25335971
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Fracture of the distal humerus is a fairly rare injury and makes high demands on the treating surgeon. Prerequisites for a good outcome are anatomical reconstruction and osteosynthesis stable enough for exercises. A method permitting early restoration of function is especially important for patients with osteoporosis. The extensive surgical approach necessary for open reduction is associated with a high number of wound healing disorders and infections with a frequency of 11% being reported in the literature. Although open reduction and internal fixation in double-plating technique is unavoidable for complex intraarticular fractures, an alternative, minimally invasive and, consequently, tissue-preserving procedure is desirable for simpler fractures. OBJECTVE To investigate this issue further an angular stable nail system developed for the distal radius was implanted as a stabilizer and the construct tested biomechanically as part of a feasibility study.METHODS:
Distal humerus fractures were stabilized by insertion of a distal radius nail, namely, the Targon DR (Aesculap, Tuttlingen) and a K-wire. To test the hypothesis six cadaveric bones fixed in formalin were tested biomechanically for displacement, implant failure, and stiffness. Displacement was determined by means of an ultrasound-based system.RESULTS:
An average displacement of 1.6 mm ± 0.7 was recorded at a maximum compression force of 100 N in extension and an average displacement of 1.4 mm ± 0.9 in flexion. Implant failure was not observed for any of the constructs.CONCLUSIONS:
The study presented here permits the conclusion that a minimally invasive procedure is possible at the distal humerus and does ensure adequate stability. Although the nail was not specifically designed for the humerus, current findings form the basis for a promising approach that will be pursued further after modification of the nail design.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Minimamente Invasivos
/
Fraturas Ósseas
/
Fixação Intramedular de Fraturas
/
Úmero
Tipo de estudo:
Evaluation_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Technol Health Care
Assunto da revista:
ENGENHARIA BIOMEDICA
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Alemanha