Surgical exposures for distal humerus fractures: A review

✍ Scribed by J. Whitcomb Pollock; George S. Athwal; Scott P. Steinmann

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 605 KB
• Volume: 21
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0897-3806
• DOI: 10.1002/ca.20720

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The majority of distal humerus fractures have complex fracture patterns, with displaced articular segments, requiring operative intervention. The goals of surgery are anatomic reduction and rigid internal fixation via an operative approach that balances maximum required exposure with minimum soft tissue or bony disruption that may necessitate postoperative protection. The selection of a surgical approach depends on multiple factors, including, facture pattern, extent of articular involvement, associated soft tissue injury, rehabilitation protocols, and surgeon preference. This review focuses on the various surgical approaches to the distal humerus. Clin. Anat. 21:757–768, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.