Comparison of deltoid split versus deltopectoral approaches in locking plate fixation for proximal humerus fracture / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To compare the medium and long-term efficacy between the deltoid split approach and the conventional deltopectoral approach in locking plate fixation for proximal humerus fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was performed in the 65 patients with proximal humerus fracture who had been operatively treated at Department of Orthopedics, The Third People's Hospital of Nantong from January 2018 to December 2020. They were 20 males and 45 females with an age of (64.6±9.2) years. Of them, 34 were assigned to fixation with proximal humerus internal locking system (PHILOS) through the deltoid split approach (minimally invasive group), and 31 to PHILOS fixation through the deltopectoral approach (conventional group). The 2 groups were compared in terms of general data, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, fracture union time, intraoperative fluoroscopy, postoperative 2-year imaging scores, and Constant-Murley shoulder score at the last follow-up.Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing comparability ( P>0.05). In the minimally invasive group and the conventional group, respectively, the intraoperative blood loss was (97.9±16.6) mL and (155.8±27.4) mL, and the frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy (12.0±1.8) times and (6.7±1.8) times, both showing a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in operation time, hospital stay, or fracture union time ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (43.9±5.5) months. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in postoperative 2-year imaging scores ( P>0.05). Compared with the conventional group, patients in the minimally invasive group had significantly lower Constant-Murley strength scores and significantly lower Constant-Murley scores for the Neer four-part fractures ( P<0.05). Postoperatively, one case of screw protrusion and one case of complete ischemic necrosis occurred in both groups while one case of partial ischemic necrosis was observed in the minimally invasive group and 3 cases of partial ischemic necrosis were observed in the conventional group. Conclusions:In locking plate fixation for proximal humerus fractures, compared with the deltopectoral approach, the deltoid split approach shows advantages of less soft tissue damage, less intraoperative bleeding, and less destruction of the blood supply to the humeral head. However, the deltopectoral approach may be more appropriate for the Neer four-part fractures.