Management of Complications and How to Avoid Them

Description

The presentation appears to be focused on the common complications associated with distal humeral fractures, delivered by Sam Vollans. He discusses the importance of understanding these complications to minimize risk and improve outcomes in surgical settings. He begins by acknowledging the audience and discussing the stress and challenges faced by surgeons dealing with such complex fractures. Throughout the talk, he emphasizes the necessity of environmental factors, teamwork, and proper preparation before surgery.



Vollans highlights that complications can arise despite best efforts, and he outlines key complications which represent a significant portion of the overall complication rate seen in patients: stiffness, heterotopic ossification (HO), prominence of metal work, metal work pain, and fixation failures. He notes that addressing these complications is essential to improve surgical outcomes.



He provides insights into how to properly fix distal humeral fractures, such as ensuring anatomical alignment of bone fragments and utilizing compression techniques to stabilize the fracture effectively. Vollans also presents various patient cases with post-operative images to illustrate common pitfalls and stresses the importance of timely referrals when complications arise. Throughout, he reflects on personal experiences and best practices that can contribute towards reducing complication rates. The conclusion reiterates the focus on meticulous surgical techniques and the need for awareness of potential complications to enhance patient care.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-230114

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