[Therapy of humerus fractures of the collum chirurgicum]

From 1978 to 1989 178 patients were treated for humerus fractures of the surgical neck. An examination after an average of 9 months showed in 119 cases of dislocation of the humerus of less than one shaft width no significant differences between conservative and operative treatment. In case of major dislocation of more than one shaft width (n = 59) operative treatment resulted in significantly better functional results in all age groups. A wider indication for operation after 1986 lead to better results even in the elder patients. Younger patients profited by an operative treatment even in case of minor dislocation, especially as regards maximum mobility of the shoulder joint. In most cases percutaneous or open drill-wire osteosynthesis was preferred. It is concluded that in elder patients only humerus fractures of the surgical neck with major dislocations should be operated upon. With younger patients an indication for operative treatment can also be seen in cases with minor dislocation. Nevertheless, the fractures of the proximal humerus, even in case of an increased operative treatment, remain a field of conservative therapy.