Implant Selection for Proximal Humerus Fractures

Pectoralis major pedicle bone grafting vs. tricortical iliac grafting for Neer 4-part proximal humerus fractures: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The risk of avascular necrosis, nonunion, or malunion is high in osteoporosis-related 4-part fractures. We evaluated the results of patients who underwent plate osteosynthesis with a vascularized pectoralis major graft compared with tricortical iliac grafting to treat 4-part proximal humerus fractures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-four patients aged 50-75 years with Neer 4-part proximal humerus fractures were studied. Group A (n = 17) underwent osteotomy of a 2.5 ± 1 cm pectoralis major pedicle bone graft and plate application, whereas group B (n = 17) underwent plate osteosynthesis using iliac autogenous grafts. Final follow-up assessments included evaluation using Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scoring systems, humeral neck-shaft angle (HNSA), humeral head height, and humeral head avascular necrosis.

RESULTS

Reduction loss was observed in 3 patients (17.6%) in group A, whereas it was observed in 10 patients (58.8%) in group B (P = .013). Humeral head avascular necrosis was found in 1 patient (5.8%) in group A, whereas it was found in 5 patients (29.4%) in the other group (P = .071). The HNSA was normal in 12 (70.5%) of group A patients, whereas it was normal in 6 (35.2%) of group B patients. The HNSA was weak or bad (<1200) in 29.4% of group A patients, whereas this rate was 64.7% in group B patients. Humeral head height was 2.64 ± 1.45 mm in group A and 3.66 ± 1.65 mm in group B. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scoring systems.

CONCLUSION

Pectoralis major bone pedicle graft in Neer 4-part proximal humerus fractures reduces the risk of avascular necrosis and nonunion rates. Our technique yielded excellent clinical and radiological results. We achieved recovery without creating additional donor site morbidity.

Trending a decade of proximal humerus fracture management in older adults

Background

Proximal humerus fractures are the third most common fracture in older adults. Because of the aging population, the incidence of these fractures and their impact will continue to grow. With advancement in treatment options for proximal humeral fractures, the aim of this study was to evaluate the trends in acute management of proximal humerus fractures to determine how definitive treatment has changed over the past decade in patients older than 65 years.

Methods

Using a commercially available database, patient records were queried from 2010 to 2019 for the incidence of proximal humerus fractures. For each individual year, data were queried to identify the incidence of closed reduction percutaneous pinning (CRPP), hemiarthroplasty (HA), intramedullary nailing (IMN), open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), or nonoperative treatment for acute proximal humeral fractures. A Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to determine significant changes in the trends of proximal humerus fracture management. Logistic regression analyses were performed to generate odds ratios (OR) with associated 95% confidence intervals comparing each individual procedure performed in 2019 to 2010.

Results

A total of 160,836 patients at least 65 years of age and older were diagnosed with a proximal humerus fracture. Of this total, 28,503 (17.72%) patients received operative treatment and 132,333 (82.28%) received nonoperative treatment. From 2010 to 2019, operative treatment trends of proximal humerus fractures changed such that CRPP decreased by 60.0%, HA decreased by 81.4%, IMN decreased by 81.9%, ORIF decreased by 25.7%, TSA decreased by 80.5%, and RSA increased by 1841.4% (all P < .0001). Overall, nonsurgical management increased from 80% to 85% during the examined study period (P < .0001). Patients in 2019 were significantly more likely to receive an RSA (OR 22.65) and were significantly less likely to receive CRPP (OR 0.45), HA (OR 0.20), IMN (OR 0.20), ORIF (OR 0.82), and TSA (OR 0.22) than patients in 2010. In addition, patients in 2019 were significantly more likely to receive nonoperative treatment than patients in 2010 (OR 1.10).

Conclusion

Over the past decade, most of older adults who sustain proximal humerus fractures continue to receive nonoperative treatment. Although CRPP, IMN, HA, ORIF, and TSA have decreased, RSA has recently become more widely utilized, which is consistent with what has been noted in other countries. Continued examination of the mid- and long-term outcomes of the increasing percentages in RSA should be performed in this population.