Treatment for Distal Humeral Fractures by Modified Anatomical Y-Plate

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Journal of the Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society 1998;1(1):51-57.
Published online March 30, 1998.

Eun Sun Moon, Jae Hyung Park, Young Keun Lee

Department of Orthopedics, Chonnam University Hospital

변형된 Y형 해부학적 금속판을 이용한 상완골 원위부 골절의 치료

문은선, 박재헝, 이영근

전남대학교 의과대학 정형외과학교실

Abstract

Comminuted fracture of the distal end of the humerus in adults is very rare and difficult to treat. In operative treatment, an implant which can achieve accurate anatoraical reduction and rigid fixation is needed. But the preexisting Y -shaped plate had wide and thick limbs and some problems in fixation for most distal humeral fractures. So we devised a modified plate which is more narrow and th1n and has a different hole distance and wing length (long lateral wing). The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical result of this modified anatomical Y -plate. From 1991 to 1997, we treated 23 cases of distal humeral fractures using modified anatomical plate and the results were as follows. 1. Fracture type in 18 patients(78%) was C-type(C1,C2,C3) which were intraarticular and mostly displaced or comminuted. 2. Bony union was obtained in 22 patients(96%) through rigid fixation and observed radiologically at 3.5 months(2-6months) on the average. 3. In 23 patients, 19 patients(82%) showed satisfactory results after 34 months(6-73months) follow-up. So if the modified anatomical Y-plate is used in the treatment of distal humeral fracture, a satisfactory result can be obtained through a more accurate, easy, and rigid fixation than preexisting plate.

Key Words: Distal humeral fractures; Modified anatomical Y-plate

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