[Operative treatment of proximal humeral fractures with helix wire]

Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2002, a total of 50 patients with a dislocated or unstable fracture of the proximal humerus were treated surgically with a titanium helix wire introduced retrogradely into the medullary cavity.

Fracture classification showed 8 cases of a two-fragment fracture, 32 cases of a three-fragment fracture, and 10 cases of a so-called four-fragment fracture. A retrospective radiographic and medical review of all 50 patients showed postoperative complications in 24% of the cases; in 8 cases (16%) secondary loss of retention occurred with consecutive projection of the helix wires into the subacromial joint space. There were two cases each (4%) of perforation of the helix wire into the joint space without loss of retention and fracture dehiscence because of a blocking mechanism by the helix wire in the subcapital fracture gap. The postoperative revision rate was 18% (9/50) as a result. Of 50 patients with a titanium helix wire, 38 (76%) were reviewed after an average of 23 months (12-31). Radiologically partial necrosis of the head of the humerus was seen in two patients and there was necrosis of the head of the humerus with pseudarthrosis in one patient, which had a negative effect on the Constant score.

Because of a change of procedure (n=5) and intercurrent deaths (n=5) only 2 of 12 patients, in whom complications had occurred postoperatively, could be followed up clinically; the results of the follow-up are sure to be distorted by this selection effect. Of 38 patients, 32 (84%) showed very good to good results functionally; the average Constant score was 74 points and the average age- and sex-specific corrected score was 92%.

Thus, the procedure does not achieve better functional results compared to other rigid and semirigid internal fixation methods while it has a high complication and revision rate compared to other rigid and semirigid internal fixation methods. Moreover, early functional treatment is not possible so that the titanium helix wire represents a retention aid rather than stable internal fixation. Overall we cannot recommend the procedure for the operative management of proximal humerus fractures further and have abandoned it ourselves.