Surgical Approach and Internal Fixation Techniques for Intra-Articular Distal Humerus Fracture With Coronal Shear Capitellar Fracture

We describe a surgical exposure that releases the lateral ulnar collateral ligament in addition to an olecranon osteotomy to allow complete visualization of the entire articular surface. In contrast to an isolated capitellar fracture, the column stability and the posterior cortex are frequently disrupted with distal humerus fractures. Depending on the comminution of the posterior cortex, a supplemental posterolateral plate or headless compression screws can provide fixation to the coronal fracture plane. The lateral ulnar collateral ligament is repaired at the conclusion of fracture stabilization through a bone tunnel or to the plate to restore lateral stability. Despite the release of the ligament and additional soft tissue stripping, there were no cases of elbow instability or avascular necrosis in our case series of 9 patients.

Source: Techniques in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery - February 25, 2021 Category: Surgery Tags: Techniques Source Type: research