Functional results after osteosynthesis of distal humeral fractures with pre-contoured LCP system.

BACKGROUND Evaluate the functional results and determine the complications after treating distal humerus fractures with an anatomically pre-contoured double plate system. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-five patients with distal humeral fractures were treated with a pre-contoured double plate system. There were 18 males (72%), 7 females (28%), with an average age of 39.68 years (22-70years). As per the AO classification, there were 4 type A fractures (16%) and 21 type C fractures (84%). In addition to clinical examination, functional results were evaluated using the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS). RESULTS Using the Mayo elbow performance score, the results obtained were graded as excellent or good results in 22 patients (88%), fair in 2 (8%) and poor in 1 (4%) of cases. Average time interval between admission and surgery was 3.8 days (average 1-9 days). All the fractures as well as the olecranon osteotomies united by 10-16 weeks (12.56 weeks). No patient had deep infection, implant failure, non-union of fracture site or olecranon osteotomy site. Superficial wound infection, which occurred in 4 (16%) patients, resolved with oral antibiotics. Transient ulnar nerve palsy developed in 1(4%) case. However, the patient recovered with conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS 1. An anatomically pre-shaped distal humerus locking plate system is useful in providing stable fixation of distal humerus fractures, thereby facilitating early postoperative rehabilitation. 2. In contrast to conventional plating, we did not observe any case of secondary fracture displacement, non-union or implant failure even in elderly patients with potentially reduced bone mass. 3. The multiple angular stable point fixation seems to be effective in the application of this system.