• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the results of using a locking compression plate and an unlocked plate for treating proximal humeral fractures. Materials and Methods: This study was based on 20 patients who underwent plate fixation for proximal humeral fractures out of the 87 patients with proximal humeral fractures and who were admitted from 2003 to 2007 in our hospital. Of the 20 patients, 10 were treated with a locking compression plate and the other 10 were treated with an unlocked plate. Each group was evaluated according to the humeral neck shaft angle, the period until bony union, the complications and the Constant score. The humeral neck shaft angle was based on plain x-rays taken immediately after the operation and at 6 months postoperatively. The Constant score was evaluated on the last visit to our clinic. Results: There was no significant statistical difference between the two groups in terms of the neck shaft angle, the period until bony union and the Constant score. Yet, there were three cases of screw migration in the unlocked plate group. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the neck shaft angle, the period until bony union and the Constant score. The locking compression plate is considered to achieve more effective fixation for proximal humerus fractures because there were less complications such as screw migration.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2009

Purpose: Most nasal bone fractures involve the septum; either or both of the ethmoidal perpendicular plate(EPP) and quadrangular cartilage(QC). Unlocked tension from the underlying quadrangular cartilage and poorly reducted bony septum are obstacles to the successful reduction of nasal bone. So we compared the preliminary outcome of septoplasty as a primary treatment with the untreated septum in nasal bone fractures. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 215 patients underwent reduction of nasal fracture between January 2002 and February 2008. We graded patients into four groups according to the amount of deviation and direction of force by CT. Our indication for septoplasty and combined procedures was the deviation of EPP or QC over 50% from the midline. We interviewed part of the patients by telephone regarding the subjective esthetic and functional outcomes. Results: Forty five of 215 patients (21 percent) underwent septoplasty and combined procedures (cartilage graft, etc) after the informed consent. Patients who underwent septoplasty significantly satisfied with the outcome of esthetic appearance and nasal patency compared with patients who underwent simple closed reduction despite of having septal deviation over 50 percent from the midline. (p < 0.05) Conclusion: Septal surgery and esthetic consideration shoud be made even in simple nasal reductions. And if CT scans reveal severe deviation of septum, septoplasty should be considered as a primary treatment.