Clin Should Elbow.  2015 Mar;18(1):2-7. 10.5397/cise.2015.18.1.2.

An Anterosuperior Deltoid Splitting Approach for Plate Fixation of Proximal Humeral Fractures

• Shin DJ
• Byun YS
• Cho YH
• Park KH
• Yoo HS

• KMID: 2279975
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2015.18.1.2

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and safety of the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach for fixation of displaced proximal humeral fractures by analyzing the surgical outcomes.
METHODS
Twenty-three patients who could be followed-up for at least 8 months after the treatment of displaced proximal humeral fractures through the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach were enrolled. We evaluated the reduction of the fractures and surgery-related complications at the last follow-up using X-ray results and clinical outcomes comprising the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scoring system and the Korean Shoulder Society (KSS) score.
RESULTS
At the last follow-up of patients treated using the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach for internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures, we found 22 cases (95.6%) of bone union, a mean UCLA score of 28.3 (range, 15 to 34) and a mean KSS score of 82.1 (range, 67 to 95). Various surgery-related complications were noted; a case of varus malunion after fracture displacement, a case of nonunion, a case of delayed union, two cases of impingement, and a case of partial axillary nerve injury, which recovered completely through the follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Plate fixation using the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach could be another reliable option for treating displaced proximal humeral fractures.

Keyword

Humerus; Anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach; Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis

MeSH Terms

California
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Humerus
Shoulder
Shoulder Fractures*