TRANSDELTOID VERSUS DELTOPECTORAL APPROACH IN THE INTERNAL FIXATION OF PROXIMAL HUMERAL FRACTURES

Document Type : Preliminary preprint short reports of original research

Authors

1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria.

2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt

3 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

Abstract

Proximal humeral fractures are usually due to osteoporosis in old aged population after exposure to low energy trauma. They are also seen in young adults due to high energy trauma.
The optimal treatment for proximal humeral fractures is controversial. It includes conservative treatment for minimally displaced fractures; open reduction and internal fixation; minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis; and shoulder arthroplasty.
It is very important to choose the convenient and the best surgical approach for fixation of proximal fractures of the humerus.
Transdeltoid lateral approach offers good advantage of minimal soft tissue dissection and a low risk of humeral head avascular necrosis and short operative time.
Deltopectoral approach gives a better access to the articular surface, with better handling of fracture fragments in multifragmentary and intra articular fracture types.
AIM OF THE WORK:
The aim of our study was to compare the results of transdeltoid lateral approach versus deltopectoral approach in open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures.

Keywords