Tratamiento de las fracturas diafisarias extraarticulares de húmero distal por abordaje posterior modificado y placa extraarticular / Surgical treatment of extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal fractures of the humerus using a modified posterior approach and an extra-articular plate

Objetivo. Evaluar los resultados clínicos y radiológicos del tratamiento quirúrgico de las fracturas diafisarias extraarticulares de húmero distal tratadas mediante un abordaje posterior modificado con una placa extraarticular preconformada de húmero distal. Material y métodos. Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo entre los años 2013 y 2015 de 23 pacientes mayores de 18 años, 45 años de media, con diagnóstico de fractura extraarticular de húmero distal que fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente en nuestro centro mediante abordaje posterior modificado de Gerwin y placa extraarticular de húmero distal con seguimiento mínimo de un año y seguimiento medio de 18 meses. Se excluyeron las fracturas patológicas. Se recogieron los datos demográficos, el tipo de fractura, la lateralidad, el mecanismo de producción y la presencia de parálisis radial. Se evaluó el resultado clínico-funcional con las escalas Quick-Dash (QD), MEPS y EVA, el resultado radiológico y el tiempo hasta la consolidación. Se recogieron la satisfacción (sí o no) y las complicaciones. Resultados. Seis pacientes presentaban fractura tipo 12-A, 7 tipo 12-B y 10 tipo 12-C. Todos los pacientes presentaron consolidación al año de la intervención (media 12 semanas). Nueve pacientes presentaron parálisis radial prequirúrgica y uno posquirúrgica. No hubo complicaciones relacionadas con fracasos de material y se observaron 2 infecciones de herida quirúrgica. La puntuación media de las escalas fue la siguiente: QD 6,43, EVA 0,66, MEPS 88,88; 12 resultados fueron considerados como excelentes, 3 como buenos y 3 como suficientes. Conclusión. La osteosíntesis de este tipo de fracturas con placa extraarticular empleando el abordaje de Gerwin presenta una tasa de complicaciones muy baja, permite la exploración del nervio radial con una buena exposición proximal del húmero, permite reducción anatómica con montaje rígido y estabilización absoluta de la fractura, dejando libre las articulaciones, obtiene altas tasas de consolidación con excelentes resultados funcionales y una rápida vuelta a la actividad de los pacientes (AU)

Purpose. To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of these fractures treated through a modified posterior approach with a distal humerus plate. Material and methods. Between 2013 and 2015 we performed a retrospective study of these fractures surgically treated in our centre. Inclusion criteria: older than 18 years old, no pathological fractures, follow up 1 year at least. 23 patients underwent surgery, mean age 45 years old, with an average follow-up of 18 months. Patient characteristics, aetiology and type of fractures were recorded. The surgery was performed using Gerwin modified posterior approach with a posterolateral distal humerus plate. Clinical results were evaluated using Quick DASH, MEPS, VAS. Radiological results were also evaluated. Complications associated with treatment and radial nerve palsy incidence were recorded as well. Results. Type of fracture according AO/OTA: six 12-A, seven 12-B, ten 12-C. 23 patients progressed to union. After one year: QD 6.43, VAS 0.66, MEPS 88.88. No failure of internal fixation. Two superficial infections. 15 excellent results, 5 good, and 3 fair, with no poor results. Conclusion. Surgical fixation of these fractures through a modified posterior approach with a posterolateral plate minimises iatrogenic nerve injury, provides better visualisation of the proximal humerus, provides stable fixation of these injuries and results in high union rates and overall excellent functional results (AU)

Surgical treatment of extra-articular distal-third diaphyseal fractures of the humerus using a modified posterior approach and an extra-articular plate. / Tratamiento de las fracturas diafisarias extraarticulares de húmero distal por abordaje posterior modificado y placa extraarticular.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of these fractures treated through a modified posterior approach with a distal humerus plate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2013 and 2015 we performed a retrospective study of these fractures surgically treated in our centre. INCLUSION CRITERIA: older than 18 years old, no pathological fractures, follow up 1 year at least. 23 patients underwent surgery, mean age 45 years old, with an average follow-up of 18 months. Patient characteristics, aetiology and type of fractures were recorded. The surgery was performed using Gerwin modified posterior approach with a posterolateral distal humerus plate. Clinical results were evaluated using Quick DASH, MEPS, VAS. Radiological results were also evaluated. Complications associated with treatment and radial nerve palsy incidence were recorded as well. RESULTS: Type of fracture according AO/OTA: six 12-A, seven 12-B, ten 12-C. 23 patients progressed to union. After one year: QD 6.43, VAS 0.66, MEPS 88.88. No failure of internal fixation. Two superficial infections. 15 excellent results, 5 good, and 3 fair, with no poor results. CONCLUSION: Surgical fixation of these fractures through a modified posterior approach with a posterolateral plate minimises iatrogenic nerve injury, provides better visualisation of the proximal humerus, provides stable fixation of these injuries and results in high union rates and overall excellent functional results.

[Evolution of the treatment of distal radius fractures in Spain. Is this the right way to go?]. / Evolución del tratamiento de las fracturas de radio distal en España. Es el camino correcto?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the changes in the treatment of distal radius fractures that have occurred in recent years at our center. To analyze the changes that have occurred and their possible causes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the hospital admission data from our center, both total admissions and those due to distal radius fractures. Surgical activity records show the evolution of the surgical treatment of distal radius fractures throughout time. Using the data from 2 research works done at our center we assessed the radiological and functional results obtained with an external fixator and nails and with buttress plates. We reviewed the updated bibliography trying to identify new evidence leading to treatment changes. RESULTS: Objective evidence shows a marked evolution towards the use of open reduction and internal fixation to treat distal radius fractures. We did not identify data in our studies that show poor results with the use of external fixators and nails or a clear superiority of the open reduction methods. These data are not available in the current bibliography. CONCLUSION: The treatment of distal radius fractures is being modified. This change is not based on contrasted clinical or bibliographic data. We need to ask whether this is due to commercial pressure or to a perception of surgeons that is yet to be proven in quality studies.