Lateral epicondyle osteotomy approach vs. olecranon osteotomy approach: an anatomic study of cadavers.

BACKGROUND: Exposure of the articular surface is the key to successful open reduction and internal fixation treatment for coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus. The olecranon osteotomy approach has previously been described as one of the most effective exposure approaches. Nevertheless, this approach cannot expose the anterior trochlea, and it is impossible to reduce and fix the capitellum under direct vision. The purpose of this study was to compare the exposure of the articular surface of the distal humerus between the lateral epicondyle osteotomy approach (group L) and the olecranon osteotomy approach (group O). METHODS: Each approach was performed on 8 freshly frozen upper limbs of adult cadavers. After each approach was completed, a 0.5-mm Kirschner wire is inserted along the edge to mark the visible part of the articular surface. Then, the soft tissue of each elbow is removed, and a surface-scanning system is used to create a digital 3-dimensional model. The visible part of the articular surface obtained by each surgical approach was mapped and quantified using markers created by Kirschner wires. RESULTS: The lateral epicondyle osteotomy approach and the olecranon osteotomy approach exposed 0.8 ± 0.0 and 0.6 ± 0.0 of the distal humeral articular surface (P < .001), 1.0 ± 0.0 and 0.3 ± 0.1 of the capitellum (P < .001), 0.6 ± 0.0 and 0.7 ± 0.0 of the trochlea (P < .001), 0.7 ± 0.0 and 0.5 ± 0.1 of the anterior trochlea (P < .001), and 0.5 ± 0.0 and 1.0 ± 0.0 of the posterior trochlea, respectively (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Compared with the olecranon osteotomy approach, the lateral epicondyle osteotomy approach could more fully expose the total articular surface of the distal humerus, capitellum, and anterior trochlea, but the olecranon osteotomy approach could more fully expose the trochlea and posterior trochlea.

Lateral epicondyle osteotomy approach for coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus: Report of three cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus are rare injuries and are technically challenging to manage. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) has become the preferred treatment because it provides anatomical reduction, stable internal fixation, and early motion, but the optimal surgical approach remains controversial. CASE SUMMARY: We report three cases of coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus treated successfully by ORIF via a novel surgical approach, in which lateral epicondyle osteotomy was performed based on the extended lateral approach. We named the novel surgical approach the lateral epicondyle osteotomy approach. All patients underwent surgical treatment and were discharged successfully. All patients had excellent functional results according to the Mayo elbow performance score. The average range of motion was 118° in flexion/extension and 172° in pronation/ supination. Only case 2 had a complication, which was implant prolapse. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the lateral epicondyle osteotomy approach in ORIF is effective and safe for coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus.