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2006 - UZ Leuven

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anteroposterior locking can endanger the humeral headsvascularisation the benefit of this locking option critically has to beevaluated.KUPPERS M., NIJS S., BROOS P.: Tubercle fixation and healing inshoulder fracture prosthesis. Eur. J. Trauma, <strong>2006</strong>; 32: 779 (Abstract).Introduction: Previous studies clearly demonstrated a correlationbetween functional outcome after shoulder fracture prosthesis andfunctional outcome. In a previous multicenter study of our workinggroup tubercle healing was associated with a mean absolute Constantscore of 77, where in the non-healed group only a score of 48 wasobserved. Multiple studies however did demonstrate the only, at best,half of the refixated tubercles do heal. We do believe that stability offixation in one of the main determinants whether a tubercle will heal ornot.Material and methods: In a separate biomechanical study we diddemonstrate that fixation of tubercles on the Articula (Mathys Betlach)shoulder prosthesis using a circular 2 mm steel cable is significantlymore stable than fixation using nr. 5 fibrewire. Between December2004 and June 2005 we did use the above mentioned steel cablefixation in 23 patients treated for acute four part fracture of theproximal humerus. Mean age was 73. 18 patients were available forradiographic re-evaluation 6 months after surgery. Standard true APand Scapular Y X-rays have been used to judge tubercle healing.Results: 15/18 patients tubercle healing has been observed. In 10/15we did observe anatomical healing. In 5/15 we did observe tuberclemalposition. In 3/15 no healing and secondary loss of tubercles hasbeen documented. Compared to our own historical results using nr. 2fibrewire (Arthrex) fixation these results are significantly better as theyare compared to the best series found in literature.Conclusion: Stable tubercle fixation using steel cables in proximalhumeral fracture prosthesis results in significant better healing oftubercles than standard fixation techniques.LERUT F., NIJS S., BROOS P.: The non-reconstructable proximalfracture: reversed or anatomical prosthesis. Eur. J. Trauma, <strong>2006</strong>; 32:732 (Abstract).Introduction: The treatment of proximal humeral fractures remains achallenge. When confronted with a non reconstructable fracture, thesurgeon has to distinguish whether the patients would benefit from aprosthesis or not. The results of fracture prostheses remain an issue122

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