Clin Should Elbow.  2015 Sep;18(3):128-132. 10.5397/cise.2015.18.3.128.

PHILOS Plate Osteosynthesis in Metaphyseal Fractures of the Distal Humerus through an Anterolateral Approach

• Park JH
• Kim JW
• Oh CH
• Choi KS
• Hong JY
• Kim JG

• KMID: 2149037
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2015.18.3.128

Abstract

BACKGROUND
We described a surgical method for osteosynthesis and reported the resultant strength after application of a PHILOS plate through the anterolateral approach for the treatment of fractures of the distal humerus.
METHODS
Between February 2010 and March 2012, open reduction and internal fixation operations with the PHILOS plate for treatment of fracture of the distal humerus were performed on a total of nine patients (five men, four women). The mean age was 40.8 years (range, 24-50 years), and the average follow-up period was 9.1 months (range, 6-15 months). Clinical evaluations were performed 6 months after the operation. Clinical assessment included determination of the range of motion of the elbow, the Mayo and Oxford elbow scores, and any postoperative complications.
RESULTS
Fracture union was noted in all patients, with an average period of 12.4 weeks. The average Mayo elbow and Oxford elbow scores were 87.2 (of a total of 100) and 43.3 (of a total of 48), respectively. For the postoperative range of motion of the elbow, all patients showed complete recovery to the preoperative range of motion. No other conditions, such as neurolepsis, plate breakage, or rotational deformity, were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Open reduction and internal fixation of distal humerus fractures with a PHILOS plating system via anterolateral approach can be effective. A high rate of union with good outcomes can be assumed.

Keyword

Humeral fractures; Fracture fixation

MeSH Terms

Congenital Abnormalities
Elbow
Follow-Up Studies
Fracture Fixation
Humans
Humeral Fractures
Humerus*
Male
Postoperative Complications
Range of Motion, Articular