Efficacy comparison between plate fixation with in situ reinforcing ulnar nerve and anterior transposition for humeral intercondylar fracture

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of plate fixation with in situ reinforcing ulnar nerve and anterior transposition by olecranon osteotomy approach in the treatment of type C2 and C3 humeral intercondylar fractures. Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 23 patients with humeral intercondylar fractures admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University from June 2014 to January 2017. There were 17 males and six females, aged 19-56 years, with an average of 41.2 years. According to AO classification, there were 15 patients with type C2 and eight with type C3. All patients were treated with plate internal fixation by olecranon osteotomy approach. The patients were divided into anterior group (11 patients) which was treated with ulnar nerve release anterior transposition and in situ reinforcing group (12 patients) which was treated with ulnar nerve release in situ. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, elbow flexion and extension range, elbow joint Mayo score, and excellent and good rate were compared between the two groups. Postoperative complications were recorded. Results All patients were followed up for 15-43 months, with an average of 26.7 months. All patients had no need of blood transfusion. There were no significant differences between anterior group and in situ reinforcing group in operation time [(219.1±15.1)minutes vs. (211.2±17.1)minutes], intraoperative blood loss [(263.6±35.3)ml vs. (237.5±25.6)ml] and fracture healing time [(18.2±2.4)weeks vs. (18.9±1.7)weeks] (P>0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in elbow flexion [(120.3±7.1)° vs. (120.3±4.1)°], straightness [(3.7±2.7)° vs. (4.1±2.4)°], Mayo score [(89.09±9.17)points vs. (86.67±10.29)points] and excellent and good rate [ 91% (10/12) vs. 83% (10/12)] (P>0.05). After operation, no complications such as infection, heterotopic ossification, ulnar neuritis, elbow valgus deformity, or internal fixation failure occurred. Conclusions For humeral intercondylar fracture, the plate fixation with in situ reinforcing ulnar nerve and anterior transposition by olecranon osteotomy approach both have advantages such as small surgical trauma, strong fixation, fewer complications, satisfactory recovery of elbow function. Ulnar nerve anterior transposition or not does not affect the occurrence of ulnar neuritis, and both can obtain satisfactory clinical efficacy. Key words: Humeral fractures; Intra-articular fractures; Fracture fixation, internal; Ulnar nerve