Posterior Approach to the Humeral Shaft

P. Reynders; S. Nijs; P. L. O. Broos; D. Stoffelen

doi:10.1055/s-2003-40115

Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care, Inhaltsverzeichnis

Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care 2003; 11(1): 10-12
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-40115

Original Article

Posterior Approach to the Humeral Shaft

P. Reynders¹ , S. Nijs¹ , P. L. O. Broos¹ , D. Stoffelen¹

¹Department of Traumatology, U.Z. Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium

Abstract

The authors describe a surgical exposure to the posterior humerus, which is versatile and less destructive to the triceps muscle and neurovascular structures of the posterior surface of the humerus. Because this approach does not involve splitting or subperiosteal stripping of the medial and lateral head of the triceps brachii, exposure of the entire posterior surface of the humerus as far as the anterior circumflex artery is possible. Due to the wide exposure, tunneling of the nervus radialis and profunda brachii artery in the spiral groove is easy. The authors have used this approach for plating the humerus for fifteen years. The authors believe that this surgical approach respects the anatomy of the posterior fascial compartment more than the conventional existing exposures.

Key words

Fractures - Fracture treatment - Humeral fractures

Volltext

Referenzen

References

1 Bone L. Fractures of the shaft of the humerus. In: Chapman MW (ed). Operative Orthopaedics. J. B. Lippincott, Philadelphia 1988 1: 221-234
2 Brooker A F, Edwards C C. External fixation. The Current State of the Art. Williams & Wilkins Baltimore 1979
3 Caldwell J A. Treatment of fractures of the shaft of the humerus by hanging cast. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1940; 70 421-426
4 Charnley J. The Closed Treatment of Common Fractures. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins 1961
5 Gilchrist D K. A stockinette Velpeau for immobilization of the shoulder girdle. J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. 1967; 49 750-751
6 Green S A. Complications of external skeletal fixation. In: Uhthoft, HK (ed). Current Concepts of External Fixation. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg 1982; 43-52
7 Henley M B, Monroe M, Tencer A F. Biomechanical comparison of methods of fixation of a midshaft osteotomy of the humerus. J Orthop Trauma. 1991; 5 14-20
8 Holm C L. Management of humeral shaft fractures. Fundamental nonoperative technics. Clin Orthop. 1970; 91 132-139
9 Hoppenfeld S, de Boer P. In: Surgical Exposures in Orthopaedics: the Anatomical Approach. J. B. Lippincott, Philadelphia 1984; 47-75
10 Rommens P M, Endrizzi D P, Blum J, White R R. Humerus: shaft. In: Rüedi TP, Murphy WM (eds). AO Principles of Fracture Management. Thieme, Stuttgart, New York 2000; 291-306
11 Rushton N, Greatorex R A, Broughton N S. In: Colour Atlas of Surgical Exposures of the Limbs. Edward Arnold, Gower Medical Publishing, London, New York 1985; 11.24-1.57
12 Sarmiento A, Kinman P B, Galvin E G. et al . Functional bracing of fractures of the shaft of the humerus. J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. 1977; 59 596-601
13 Vander Griend R, Tomasin J, Ward E F. Open reduction and internal of humeral shaft fractures. Results using AO plating techniques. J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. 1986; 68 430-433
14 Zuckerman J D, Koval K J. Fractures of the shaft of the humerus. In: Rockwood CA, Green DP, Bucholz RW, Heckman JD (eds). Rockwood and Green’s Fractures in Adults, 4th edn. J. B. Lippincott, Philadelphia 1996; Vol. 1: 1025-1053

P. Reynders, MD

Department of Traumatology · U.Z. Gasthuisberg

Herestraat 49

3000 Leuven · Belgium

Telefon: +32/16-34-42 77

Fax: +32/16-34-46 14

eMail: peter.reynders@uz.kuleuven.ac.be