• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.202-208
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• 2010

Purpose: In this study we introduced minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and analyzed clinical outcomes to determine the effectiveness of this intervention in proximal humerus fractures. Materials and Methods: We studied 27 patients including 16 cases with a 2-part fracture, 10 cases with a 3-part fracture, and 1 case with a 4-part fracture. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using UCLA score, KSS score and recovery of range of motion. Time to union and humerus neck-shaft angle change were estimated by radiologic assessment. The average follow up period was 19 months. Results: UCLA scores were "excellent" for 15 patients, "good" for 12 patients. The mean KSS score was 91.4 at final follow-up. The average shoulder range of motion was $167.2^{\circ}$ in forward elevation. Bone union occurred by 14.1 weeks postoperatively. Humerus neck-shaft angle recovery was "excellent" in 24 patients and "moderate" in 3 patients. There were no complications such as axillary nerve paralysis, deep infection, or subacromial impingement of the plate. Conclusion: MIPO for proximal humerus fractures is an effective procedure if performed with sufficient understanding of the anatomical structures. MIPO leads to minimized dissection of soft tissue, low complication rates and early recovery of range of motion.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of minimally invasive arthroscopy-assisted plate removal of a laterally inserted periarticular distal femur plate used for the treatment of AO type-C distal femur fractures. Materials and Methods: From October 2002 to November 2005, we evaluated 17 patients whose plates were removed through minimally invasive arthroscopy-assisted plate-removal technique and 15 patients who got their plates removed through conventional method without using arthroscopy, 32 patients in total. All these patients included in this study initially underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the distal femoral fractures with a lateral plate, and complained of continued pain over the lateral femoral condyle after the fracture fixation. The average age was 42.6 (ranges: 20~66) and initial fracture types included 16 cases of C1, 11 cases of C2, and 5 cases of C3 following AO/ASIF classification guidelines. Measured outcomes included: associated intra-articular pathologies, time needed to return to activities of daily living, patients' overall satisfaction, complications following the removal of hardware, and pain before and 6 months after the operation. Results: The distal-most end of the plate was placed in the knee joint in all cases and damage of the lateral articular capsule was found in 23 cases. Continuous wound discharge after surgery was found in one case who underwent arthroscopy-assisted plate removal, and it was treated by irrigation and re-suture. Average time needed to return to activities of daily living was 7 days in arthroscopy assisted group and 7.6 days in conventionally removed group. Fourteen patients (82.4%) who underwent arthroscopyassisted plate-removal reported above 'fair' satisfaction and the Visual analog scale pain score decreased from 4.9 to 1.9, six months after the plate removal. Thirteen patients(86.7%) who underwent conventional plate removal reported above 'fair' satisfaction and the Visual analog scale pain score decreased from 5.2 to 2.5, six months after the operation. Conclusion: Through minimally invasive arthroscopic-assisted plate removal, intrarticular pathology of the knee joint was able to be simultaneously identified and treated at the time of hardware removal. Damage of lateral capsule of the knee joint caused by the inserted plate for the treatment of type C distal femoral fracture was very frequently found and following the plate removal, patients experienced an improvement in pain score. We therefore recommend routine lateral distal femoral plate removal if the bony union is attained in such cases as type C distal femoral fractures whose distal most end of the plates are located in the joint.