A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF APPROACHES OF TRICEPS TONGUE FLAP AND V SHAPED OLECRANON OSTEOTOMY FOR THE TREATMENT OF FRACTURE DISTAL HUMERUS. -

INTRODUCTION:Fractures of distal humerus remain challenging problem despite of advances in techniques and implants. The goal of treatment is anatomical restoration of articular surface with stable internal fixation that allows early mobilization.This study was carried out to analyze the functional outcome of open reduction and internal fixation of distal humerus fracture using two different posterior approaches namely: Olecranon osteotomy approach, triceps tongue approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized observational study of 25 cases of supracondylar-intercondylar fracture of humerus was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at C U Shah Medical College and Hospital, Surendranagar.The fracture was treated with Olecranon Osteotomy Approach in 14 cases and Triceps aponeurosis tongue approach in 11 cases. The cases were followed up to 18-24 months. RESULTS:The result was assessed with Broberg and Morrey scoring system. For Triceps tongue flap group: excellent in 2 cases, good in 4, fair in 3 and poor in 2. For Olecranon osteotomy group: excellent in 8 cases, good in 3, fair in 2 and poor in 1. CONCLUSION: Olecranon osteotomy approach provides excellent exposure of posterior articular congruity and also anterior articular congruity visualized, facilitates accurate articular reduction even in complex type of fractures and early mobilization can be instituted, which is the crux for the final outcome while Triceps tongue approach provides adequate exposure of only posterior articular surface. - Seemore at: