J Korean Fract Soc.  2004 Apr;17(2):76-82. 10.12671/jkfs.2004.17.2.76.

Treatment in Distal Humerus Fracture with Anatomical Y Plate

• Moon ES
• Rowe SM
• Seon JK
• Kim MS
• Cho SB

• KMID: 2184044
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2004.17.2.76

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of this modified anatomical Y-plate in treatment of distal humerus fracture and factors that affect the results.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From April 1991 to January 2002, 40 cases (16 male, 24 female) of distal humeral fractures were treated using a modified anatomical Y plate. The patient's age, gender, pain, range of motion, instability, function, bone union, and complication were recorded.
RESULTS
At the operation, the mean age of patients is 49.5 years (12~74 years) and mean follow up period is 18 months (13~82 months). In the range of motion, mean flexion is 122.1 degrees (75~140 degrees) and mean flexion contracture is 11.4 degrees (0~30 degrees). Results by Morrey's functional evaluation include 15 excellent, 23 good and 2 fair cases. There are 2 excellent and 5 good cases in patients of supracondylar fracture which didn't involve the articular surface (A2, A3 type of AO classification), and 13 excellent, 18 good and 2 fair cases in patients of intracondylar fracture which involve the articular surface (B2, C1, C2, C3 type). But there is no statistical significance in results between two groups. There are 3 excellent, 3 good cases in 6 open fracture and 2 excellent, 6 good and 1 fair case in 9 patients with multiple trauma. The patient's age, gender, open fracture, multiple trauma, and intraarticular fracture did not affect the results.
CONCLUSION
Satisfactory results can be obtained if the modified anatomical Y-plate is used to treat a distal humerus fracture, regardless of many factors affecting the results.

Keyword

Distal humerus fracture; Modified anatomical Y plate

MeSH Terms

Contracture
Follow-Up Studies
Fractures, Open
Humans
Humeral Fractures
Humerus*
Intra-Articular Fractures
Male
Multiple Trauma
Range of Motion, Articular