Early functional outcome of intercondylar humerus fractures fixed with precontoured dual plating in inverted Y-Fashion

Abstract

Objective: In this study we report the functional outcome of patients with intercondylar distal humerus fractures treated by precontoured angular stable anatomical locking plates in inverted Y fashion, using a standard approach. Materials and Methods: A total number of 24 patients with AO type C closed intercondylar distal humerus fractures were operated with open reduction through an olecranon osteotomy approach and internal fixation using two plates in inverted-Y fashion. Patients were followed at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and thereafter every 6 months. They were evaluated using the Mayo Elbow performance index and Riseborough and Radin Score. Results: There were 9 (37.5%) men and 15 (62.5%) women with mean age of 46.72 years.79.17% of the cases were following fall and rest following Motor vehicle accident. AO type C2 fractures accounted for 45.83% of cases; type C3 fractures accounted for 33.33% of cases and type C1 accounted for 20.84%. According the Riseborough and Radin criteria, the results were Good in 14(58.33%) of patients, Fair in 9(37.50%) and Poor in 1(4.17%). According to MEPI, we had Excellent results in 5(20.83%), Good in 12(50%), Fair in 6(25%) and Poor in 1(4.17%) patients. The mean MEPI was 82±18.Thus according to MEPI, we achieved excellent to good results in ~70% of patients with 100% union rate and complications less than 13%. Conclusion: Intercondylar fractures of humerus treated by Dual plating in inverted Y-fashionoffers a reliable and stable fixation permitting early mobilization and comparable functional outcome with good union rates. Contribution by Authors: Niravkumar Moradiya contributed to the study design, implementation of the research, verification of the analytical methods, supervised the findings of this work and to the writing of the manuscript. Niravkumar Moradiya and Neel Shah operated all the patients. Parth Joshi, Pujan Joshi and Neel Shah assessed follow up of patients and their functional outcome. Parth Joshi and Pujan Joshi collected data and analysed it. All authors discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript.