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“Sandwich technique” in the surgical treatment of primary complex fractures of the femur and humerus

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Abstract

In this prospective study, our aim was to determine the clinical and radiographic outcomes of the surgical treatment of primary complex problem femoral and humeral shaft fractures treated by a new technique called “sandwich technique.” A total of 45 patients with comminuted, complex and/or osteopoenic fractures of the femur or humerus (30 femoral and 15 humeral fractures) were treated using this technique. The patients were followed up for a mean of 25 months. In 24 (85.7%) of 28 patients with femoral fractures and in 14 (93.3%) of 15 patients with humeral fractures, union was achieved within 3–6 months of the operation (mean: 4.5 months). The total union rate was 88.4%. The pseudoarthrosis rate was 12%. There was no infection or implant failure seen during the follow-up period. The cortical allograft struts can be used to provide collateral support to weakened osteopoenic/osteoporotic bone. This technique provides a union rate of about 88% in osteoporotic and/or complex primary humerus or femur fractures.

Résumé

Etude prospective de l’évolution clinique et radiographique des fractures complexes de l’humérus et du fémur avec une technique appelée “sandwich technique”. 30 fractures du fémur et 15 de l’humérus avaient été traitées avec un suivi moyen de 25 mois. Pour 24 des 28 patients opérés du fémur et 14 des 15 opérés de l’humérus, la consolidation était obtenue en 3 à 6 mois après l’opération, en moyenne 4,5 mois. Le taux total de consolidation était de 88,4% et celui des pseudarthroses de 12%. Il n’y a pas eu d’infection ni d’échec d’implant durant ce suivi. Les baguettes d’allogreffes corticales peuvent être utilisés pour renforcer les os ostéopéniques ou ostéoporotiques. Cette technique permet 88% de consolidation pour les fractures primaires mais complexes de l’humérus et du fémur.

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Correspondence to C. Ozturk.

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Gogus, A., Ozturk, C., Tezer, M. et al. “Sandwich technique” in the surgical treatment of primary complex fractures of the femur and humerus. International Orthopaedics (SICO 31, 87–92 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-006-0134-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-006-0134-7

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