[Differential diagnosis and therapy of multi-fragment humeral head fracture--an analysis of three clinical studies].

Out of the total number of patients of three Centers for Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, 93 comminuted humeral head fractures were clinically and radiologically controlled by means of a retrospective analysis. The classification of the fractures was made according to C.S. Neer, the clinical evaluation according to the Constant-Score. The analysis of the results in relation to the respective therapeutic methods revealed fundamental differences between the various types of fractures depending on the number of fragments. The prognosis of the three-part fractures appears essentially determined by the biomechanical conditions. This means that the therapeutic method has to be applied according to the restitution of the respective position of the fragments. Open reduction and internal fixation (mean Constant-Score 83 resp 91 points) or conservative treatment (78 points) seem to be primarily indicated in these cases. The prognosis of the four-part fractures, on the contrary, is largely determined by the problems of vascular supply of the head fragment, with a high risk of a humeral head necrosis. For this reason a primary prosthetic replacement (mean Constant-Score in case of primary implantation 75 points, compared with 54 points in case of conservative treatment and 52 points for open reduction and internal fixation), should be recommended for this type of fracture. For therapeutic and prognostic reasons, fractures at the proximal end of the humerus require an exact classification on the radiological basis of at least a so-called "trauma series". However, for a more accurate visualisation especially of the region of the lesser tuberosity (which is difficult to assess by means of conventional radiology), and consequently for the precise determination of the number of fracture-parts and their respective positions, we consider a CT Scan to be compulsory.