A practical guide for the use of contour locking plates for the repair of humeral diaphyseal fractures with proximal extension

•We identified the main way of contour the long plates for the treatment of diaphyseal humeral fractures with proximal extension.•We present the practical guide of how performing this moulding and present some patients where the technique was used. All with good results.•We evaluated the parameters...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Injury Vol. 50; no. 12; pp. 2247 - 2251
Main Authors: Zamboni, Caio, Carmo, Bruno L., Moraes, Leonardo V.M., Hungria, José O.S., Mercadante, Marcelo T., Fucs, Patricia M.M.B.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2019
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Summary:•We identified the main way of contour the long plates for the treatment of diaphyseal humeral fractures with proximal extension.•We present the practical guide of how performing this moulding and present some patients where the technique was used. All with good results.•We evaluated the parameters of positioning the plate at the humerus through safe approaches. The emergence of minimally invasive techniques has expanded the use of plates and improved their safety for the repair of humeral diaphyseal fractures with proximal extension. In this study, we aimed to determine the best contouring method for long locking plates in the repair of humeral fractures using this approach. Comparative observations were performed between helical and spiral modelling in plastic models to identify which shape best fits the contours of the humerus. To determine the best shape, we attempted to assess the torsion required for the plate to settle laterally in the greater tuberosity and anteriorly in the diaphyseal region of the humerus. After establishing the best approach, we transferred the method to two anatomical specimens and confirmed the viability of the method and pathways. Additionally, to confirm the clinical applicability of the method, we applied the method in ten patients. After placing the plates in the bone models, it was found that the helical plate was more distant from the bone. On the other hand, the spiral plate achieved better accommodation along the contours of the humerus. The amount of twist was tested at 50°, 70° and 90°. When the plate was twisted at 70°, it maintained contact with the greater tuberosity proximally and the anterior cortical diaphyseal region. Eight patients completed the follow-up. Radiographic consolidation and good functional outcomes were achieved in all patients. Spiral modelling at 70° allows anatomical accommodation at the greater tuberosity proximally and in the diaphyseal region.
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ISSN:0020-1383
1879-0267
DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2019.09.026