Paratricipital Approach for AO/OTA Type C2 Intra-Articular Fracture of Distal Humerus
10.12671/jkfs.2019.32.3.128
- Author:
Chul Hyung LEE
1
;
Doo Hun SUN
;
Deukhee JUNG
;
Chung Han AN
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Daejeon Sun Hospital, Daejeon, Korea. mediiron@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Distal humerus;
Intra-articular fracture;
Paratricipital approach
- MeSH:
Classification;
Contracture;
Elbow;
Elbow Joint;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Humerus;
Intra-Articular Fractures;
Olecranon Process;
Postoperative Complications;
Prone Position;
Ulnar Nerve
- From:Journal of the Korean Fracture Society
2019;32(3):128-134
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of fixation of AO/OTA type C2 fractures among intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus using the paratricipital approach (side to side retraction of the triceps). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2008 to January 2018, 12 patients underwent an open reduction and internal fixation with the paratricipital approach and were followed-up for more than 10 months after surgery. According to the AO/OTA classification, type C2 fractures were chosen among the intraarticular distal humerus fractures. An extended posterior incision was used over the olecranon in the prone position, preserving the insertion site of the triceps brachii muscle. The fracture site was exposed by retracting the muscle side-to side through a dissection of the medial and lateral intermuscular septum of the triceps brachii muscle. The therapeutic results were assessed by the anatomical reduction of the articular surface and integrity of the metaphyseal contour in postoperative simple radiographs, complications, such as neuropathy or non-union, and the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) were checked to estimate the functional outcome. RESULTS: In the postoperative simple radiographs, no case showed more than 1 mm step-off and the disrupted contour of the distal humerus was recovered to normal alignment in most cases. The range of elbow joint motion in the last follow-up was 133.8° on average with a mean flexion contracture of 5.0°. The clinical results depending on the MEPS were excellent, except for two cases, which were good. Neuropathy of the ulnar nerve was observed in one patient, which was resolved after metal removal. CONCLUSION: The paratricipital approach is useful technique in AO/OTA type C2 intra-articular distal humerus fractures that provides sufficient exposure of the surgical field, without injury to the triceps brachii muscle and postoperative complications associated with the trans-olecranon approach.
