In Site Placement vs. Anterior Transposition of the Ulnar Nerve for Distal Humerus Fractures Treated with Plate Fixation

Abstract Purpose To compare the rates of ulnar nerve neuropathy following ulnar nerve subcutaneous anterior transposition versus no transposition during open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of distal humerus fractures. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study at an academic level I trauma centre. A total of 97 consecutive patients with distal humerus fractures underwent ORIF between 2011 and 2018. All included patients were treated with plates (isolated lateral plates excluded) and had no pre-operative ulnar neuropathy. Subcutaneous ulnar nerve anterior transposition was compared versus no transposition at the time of ORIF. The main outcome measure was the rate of ulnar nerve neuropathy. The secondary outcomes were the severity of the ulnar nerve neuropathy and the rate of ulnar nerve recovery. Results Twenty-eight patients underwent subcutaneous ulnar nerve anterior transposition during ORIF, whereas 69 patients had no transposition. Transposition was associated with significantly higher rates of ulnar nerve neuropathy (10/28 versus 10/69; P = 0.027). An adjusted logistic regression model demonstrated an odds ratio of 4.8 (1.3, 17.5; 95% CI) when transposition was performed. Ulnar nerve neuropathy was classified as McGowan grades 1 and 2 in all neuropathy cases in both groups (P = 0.66). Three out of ten cases recovered in the transposition group, and five out of ten cases recovered in the no transposition group over a mean follow-up of 11.2 months (P = 1.00). Conclusion We do not recommend performing routine subcutaneous ulnar nerve anterior transposition during ORIF of distal humerus fracture as it was associated with a significant 5-fold increase in ulnar nerve neuropathy.

Download Full-text

Ulnar Nerve Injury Caused by the Incomplete Insertion of a Screw Head after Internal Fixation with Dual Locking Plates in AO/OTA Type C2 Distal Humerus Fractures

Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow ◽

10.5397/cise.2017.20.4.236 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 236-239

Author(s):

Jae Hyuk Shin ◽

Whan Jin Kwon ◽

Yoon Suk Hyun

Keyword(s):

Nerve Injury ◽

Ulnar Nerve ◽

Distal Humerus ◽

Screw Head ◽

Anterior Transposition ◽

Intraarticular Fractures ◽

Dual Plating ◽

Humerus Fractures ◽

Ulnar Nerve Injury ◽

Distal Humerus Fractures

After dual plating with a locking compression plate for comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus, the incidence of ulnar nerve injury after surgery has been reported to be up to 38%. This can be reduced by an anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve but some surgeons believe that extensive handling of the nerve with transposition can increase the risk of an ulnar nerve dysfunction. This paper reports ulnar nerve injuries caused by the incomplete insertion of a screw head in dual plating without an anterior ulnar nerve transposition for AO/OTA type C2 distal humerus fractures. When an anatomical locking plate is applied to a distal humeral fracture, locking screws around the ulnar nerve should be inserted fully without protrusion of the screw because an incompletely inserted screw can cause irritation or injury to the ulnar nerve because the screw head in the locking system usually has a slightly sharp edge because screw head has threads. If the change in insertion angle and resulting protruded head of the screw are unavoidable for firm fixation of fracture, the anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is recommended over a soft tissue shield.

Download Full-text