Distal Humerus-Fate of the Ulnar Nerve After Operative Fixation ofDistal Humerus Fractures

Fate of the Ulnar Nerve After Operative Fixation ofDistal Humerus Fractures

Pdf Summary

This retrospective study aimed to determine the incidence of ulnar nerve dysfunction after open reduction and internal fixation of distal humerus fractures and identify factors associated with its development. The medical records of 69 patients who had undergone surgery for distal humerus fractures were reviewed for ulnar nerve function immediately postoperatively and at final follow-up. The incidence of immediate postoperative ulnar nerve dysfunction was 10%, and the incidence at final follow-up was 16%. No demographic, injury, or treatment factors were associated with a risk of postoperative ulnar nerve dysfunction. The study concluded that there is a substantial incidence of postoperative ulnar nerve dysfunction after open reduction and internal fixation of distal humerus fractures, and that prospective studies are likely to identify an even higher incidence of postoperative ulnar nerve dysfunction. The study also found that ulnar nerve transposition did not protect against the development of postoperative ulnar nerve dysfunction.

Keywords

retrospective study

incidence

ulnar nerve dysfunction

open reduction

internal fixation

distal humerus fractures

factors

development

medical records

surgery