• Sameer Aggarwal, Vishal Kumar, Kishan R Bhagwat, and Prateek Behera.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India.
• Eur J Orthop Surg Tr. 2014 May 1;24(4):505-11.

BackgroundLCP extra-articular plate designed by AO has been used in extra-articular fractures of the distal humerus, mal-unions, and nonunions of the distal humerus. They provide anatomically shaped and angular stable fixation system for extra-articular fractures of the distal humerus. We extended the usage spectrum of this plate to the extra-articular with intra-articular distal humerus fractures and compared it with the standard orthogonal locking plate fixation.MethodsWe included 22 consecutive distal humerus intra-articular fractures with metaphyseal and diaphyseal extension into the study. Each case underwent osteosynthesis with LCP extra-articular plate fixation and augmented the intra-articular fragments with 4.0 mm partially threaded cancellous screws. The cost, surgical time, VAS, Modified Mayo Clinic Performance Index for elbow, and postoperative complications were recorded. The radiological union and postoperative elbow range of motion were assessed at 6 weeks, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. Twenty cases completed the scheduled follow-up. The results were compared with retrospective data of 20 cases from our institute where similar fractures were treated with standard orthogonal LCP distal humerus plate (LCPDHP).ResultsThe radiological union rates and the range of motion at 6 weeks, 6, and 12 months in both the groups were comparable and did not vary significantly (p > 0.05). The cost and operative time with the LCP extra-articular plates were significantly less (p < 0.05) when compared to the group LCPDHP.ConclusionThe usage spectrum of extra-articular distal humerus locking plate can be extended to intra-articular fractures. It provides good results and significantly reduces the cost and operative time.

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