Wound complications after distal humerus fracture fixation: incidence, risk factors, and outcome

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Tom M LawrenceJoaquin Sanchez-Sotelo

Abstract

This study set out to accurately determine the incidence of wound complications after distal humerus fracture fixation, to assess risk factors, and to determine their implications on outcome. Eighty-nine distal humerus fractures (mean patient age, 58 years) were treated with internal fixation at an average of 4 days after injury. Mean follow-up time was 15 months (range, 6-72 months). Twenty-nine (33%) fractures were open. Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to determine wound complications. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine associated risk factors. Fourteen patients (15.7%) developed a major wound complication requiring on average 2.5 (range, 1-6) additional surgical procedures. Six patients required plastic surgical soft tissue coverage. All 14 fractures complicated by wound problems united. The final mean range of motion in the major wound complication group was 100° (range, 65°-130°), compared with 100° (range, 10°-140°) in those with no or minor wound problems. Grade III open fractures and the use of a plate to stabilize the olecranon osteotomy were identified as significant risk factors for development of major wound complications. The incidence of major wound complications after fixation...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 27, 2015·Hand Clinics·Emilie V Cheung, Eric J Sarkissian
Aug 26, 2015·Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·Femke M A P ClaessenDavid Ring
Mar 24, 2017·European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery : Official Publication of the European Trauma Society·G A M GovaertI H F Reininga
Feb 3, 2018·International Orthopaedics·Onur TunalıMehmet Demirhan
Jan 22, 2019·EFORT Open Reviews·Olga D SavvidouPanayiotis J Papagelopoulos
Jul 27, 2017·International Orthopaedics·Kirsten KortramMichael H J Verhofstad
Oct 14, 2018·Der Unfallchirurg·M HacklK Wegmann
Dec 29, 2020·Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery·Ferdinand C WagnerKilian Reising
Jul 3, 2021·Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma·Mark E MorreyShawn O'Driscoll

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