The new, minimally invasive anteromedial-distal approach for extraarticular distal-third humeral shaft fractures. Its evolution and first clinical results.

UNLABELLED

Introduction In 2020, we published a new minimally invasive anteromedial distal approach for plate fixation of the humerus (MIAMDAH) to address extra-articular distal shaft fractures in a cadaveric study. After operating on our first patients, it was noted that the distal MIPO window was too small to comfortably fix the plate distally. So, a wider MIPO window was developed to make the surgical procedure more comfortable. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes in patients who underwent surgery using either the original approach or its modified version and to determine whether the modification provided technical or clinical advantages over the original.

MATERIAL AND PATIENTS

Forty-five patients underwent surgery using either the original or modified approach. Twenty-one received the original technique, and twenty-four received the modified one. The primary outcome measured was the Mayo Elbow Performance Scale (MEPS) score at 18 months. The secondary outcome measures included the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score and the elbow motion of the damaged arm at 18 months. A statistical bivariate analysis was performed to compare various subgroups based on the original or modified approach.

RESULTS

All patients were followed for 18 months. The average distance from the fracture to the coronoid fossa was 3.72 cm for the original approach and 3.95 cm for the modified approach. Both approaches showed no statistically significant differences between primary and secondary outcomes. The original approach yielded good to excellent results in all patients (21/21) at the last follow-up, with a mean MEPS score of 98.5 and a UCLA score of 34.7. The modified approach resulted in good to excellent functional outcomes in 22 of 24 patients, with a mean MEPS score of 95.8 and a UCLA score of 34.3. The mean arch elbow motion was 125.3° (11° less than the undamaged arm) in the original approach and 123.5° (13° less than the undamaged arm) in the modified approach.

CONCLUSION

MIAMDAH provides a reliable alternative to laborious open approaches or risky MIPO approaches described to date. The modified version offers a broader MIPO window, which enhances surgery comfort and may reduce the complication rate.