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Erschienen in:
19.09.2017 | Trauma Surgery
Plate fixation of the proximal humerus: an international multicentre comparative study of postoperative complications
Erschienen in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery | Ausgabe 12/2017
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Objective
The primary aim was to evaluate the number of complications following locking plate fixation of proximal humeral fractures in country X and in country Y. The secondary aim was to identify risk factors for complications.
Methods
Multicentre retrospective case series of 282 consecutive patients with proximal humeral fractures, treated with a locking plate between 2010 and 2014. Setting: two level 1 trauma centres in country X and one in country Y. Data pertaining to demographics, postoperative complications and re-operations were collected. Fractures were classified according to the AO and Hertel classifications and experienced surgeons assessed the quality of reduction and plate fixation on the postoperative X-rays. Outcomes of the two different countries were compared and logistic regression analysis was performed to analyse the relationship between risk factors and complications.
Results
During a median follow-up of 370 days, 196 complications were encountered in 127 patients (45%). The most frequent complications were: screw perforation in the glenohumeral joint (23%), persistent shoulder complaints (16%), avascular necrosis of the humeral head (10%) and secondary fracture displacement (5%). In 80 patients (28%), 132 re-operations were performed. The patients operated in country X had significantly more complications compared with the patients operated in country Y. For implant-related complications, advanced age, non-anatomic reduction of the greater tuberosity, and country of operation were risk factors.
Conclusion
The use of locking plates for proximal humeral fractures was associated with a high number of complications in both countries; the patients operated in country Y, however, had better results compared with the patients operated in country X.
Level of evidence
IV.