Please login to view this media
- Talk
- 20/09/2022
- UK
Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Distal Humeral Hemiarthroplasty (DHH) for Complex Intra-Articular Distal Humeral Fractures
Description
This presentation, led by Sohan Shah, an orthopedic registrar at a Liverpool upper limb unit, discusses the outcomes of distal humeral hemiarthroplasties (DHH) in patients with complex distal humeral fractures. Sohan begins by outlining the prevalence of distal humeral fractures, highlighting treatment options including fixation, total elbow arthroplasty, and the focus of their study, hemiarthroplasty.
He explains that DHH is advantageous for younger patients and those with complex injuries that are unreconstructable, emphasizing its benefits such as shorter surgical times and reduced loosening rates compared to total elbow arthroplasties. The study reviewed clinical outcomes of 19 patients who underwent DHH from 2012 to 2019, presenting measures such as the Oxford Elbow score, DASH questionnaire, and postoperative range of motion, with a complication rate of 16%.
Patients demonstrated satisfactory functional outcomes, although issues such as stiffness were noted but not classified as complications in this study. Sohan acknowledges limitations, including the small sample size and absence of a clear definition for 'unreconstructable' fractures, suggesting the need for further research to establish standardized classifications and protocols for clinical decision-making in trauma settings. The presentation concludes with insights from the audience and discussions on complications faced and definitions of fractures pertinent to the research.