Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Proximal Humeral Fractures and Sequalae Compared to Non-Fracture Indications: A Matched Cohort Analysis of Outcome and Complications

BACKGROUND: With the increase in utility and popularity of the reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) within the last decades, indications for RTSA have expanded. As well as the established indications such as cuff tear arthropathy and massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, RTSA for complex proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients has been proven to be a reliable treatment option. METHODS: A prospectively enrolled RTSA database of 1457 RTSAs implanted between September 2005 and November 2020 was reviewed. Patients treated with RTSA for a complex proximal humerus fracture and fracture sequalae (F-RTSA) were 1:1 matched with a group of patients who were treated electively with RTSA for indications other than a fracture (E-RTSA). Matching criteria included sex, age, length of follow-up and body mass index. Evaluation after a minimum of 2 years follow-up included evaluation of the absolute and relative Constant-Murley score (aCS; rCS), subjective shoulder value (SSV), range of motion (ROM) assessment and complications. RESULTS: Each of the matched cohorts comprised 134 patients with a mean follow-up of 58 ± 41 months for the fracture group and 58 ± 36 months for the elective group. The mean age for both groups was 69 ± 11 years in the F-RTSA and 70 ± 9 years for the E-RTSA group. There were no significant differences in clinical outcome measures including aCS, rCS and SSV (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference in mean active external rotation with 20° ± 18° in the F-RTSA group compared with 25° ± 19° in the E-RTSA group (p = 0.017). The complication rate was not significantly different, with 41 complications in 36 shoulders in the F-RTSA and 40 complications in 32 shoulders in the E-RTSA group (p = 0.73). The main complication for the F-RTSA group was dislocation of the greater tuberosity (6%), whereas acromial fractures (9%) were the leading complication in the E-RTSA group. There was also no significant difference in revision rate comparing F-RTSA with E-RTSA (10% vs. 14%; p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: RTSA for complex proximal humeral fractures and its sequalae leads to a comparable clinical outcome as that for patients treated electively with RTSA for indications other than fracture. There was, however, a significant difference in active external rotation, with inferior rotation in patients undergoing RTSA for fracture. This valuable information can help in requesting informed consent of patients with proximal humeral fractures

Anti-Toothbreaker: A Novel Low-Budget Device Enabling Contactless Dental Protection and a Forbidden Technique during Direct Laryngoscopy for Endotracheal Intubation

Background: Iatrogenic dental injury is the most common complication of conventional laryngoscopy during orotracheal intubation. The main cause is unintended pressure and leverage forces from the hard metal blade of the laryngoscope. The aim of this pilot study was to introduce and test a novel, reusable low-budget device not only providing contactless dental protection during direct laryngoscopy for endotracheal intubation, but also enabling, in contrast to established tooth protectors, active levering with conventional laryngoscopes for easier visualization of the glottis. Methods: A constructed prototype for intrahospital usage was evaluated by seven participants on a simulation manikin for airway management. Endotracheal intubation was performed with and without the device using a conventional Macintosh laryngoscope (blade size 4) and a 7.5 mm endotracheal tube (Teleflex Medical GmbH, Fellbach, Germany). Necessary time and success of first pass were determined. Degree of visualization of the glottis with and without the device was stated by the participants according to the Cormack and Lehane (CL) classification system and the Percentage of Glottic Opening (POGO) scoring system. In addition, subjective physical effort, feeling of safety regarding successful intubation, and risk for dental injury were queried on a numeric scale between 1 and 10. Results: All participants except one stated that the intubation procedure was easier with usage of the device than without it. On average, this was subjectively perceived as being approximately 42% (range, 15–65%) easier. In addition, time to first pass success, as well as degree of glottis visualization, subjective physical effort, and feeling of safety regarding risk for dental injury, were clearly better with usage of the device. Concerning feeling of safety regarding successful intubation, there was only a minor advantage. No difference in first pass success rate and number of total attempts could be observed. Conclusion: The Anti-Toothbreaker is a novel, reusable low-budget device which might not only provide contactless dental protection during direct laryngoscopy for endotracheal intubation, but also enables, in contrast to established tooth protectors, active levering with conventional laryngoscopes for easier visualization of the glottis. Future human cadaveric studies are needed to investigate whether these advantages also prove themselves there

Self-Reduction in Proximal Humerus Fractures through Upright Patient Positioning: Is It up to Gravity?

Background: The self-reduction in proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) remains a poorly explored myth, and it was rarely investigated in the past. One of the oldest hypotheses suggests that gravity and the weight of the affected arm alone are driving forces, which facilitate a self-reducing potential in PHFs. However, thus far, clear radiographic evidence for this theory is missing in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effect of upright patient positioning on self-reducing of PHFs. Methods: Between November 2019 and November 2020, seven consecutively bedridden but mentally competent patients were admitted to our emergency department with an acute proximal humerus fracture. Within routinely attempts of closed reductions under the control of an image converter (C-arm), immobile patients were mobilized into an upright sitting position on a stretcher while the affected arm was immobilized in a sling. Fluoroscopic controls were performed before and after upright positioning. Changes in the head-shaft angle (HSA), as well as the medial hinge index (MHI), were determined on plain true anteroposterior (AP) fluoroscopic images. Results: In all cases, upright patient positioning had an immediate self-reducing effect. This effect could be seen in five out of seven cases for both HSA and MHI. Changes in HSA and MHI averaged 21.2° and 0.25, respectively. Mean deviation from an ideal, anatomic HSA of 135° decreased through upright positioning from 25.5° to 13.8°. Mean deviation from an ideal, anatomic MHI of 1 decreased through upright positioning from 0.28 to 0.19. Conclusions: Upright patient positioning might contribute immediately to the self-reduction in PHF through the force of gravity. This underlines the importance of being aware of patients’ position when interpreting X-ray images within treatment decision-making processes

Ultrasonographic Measurement of Torsional Side Difference in Proximal Humerus Fractures and Humeral Shaft Fractures: Theoretical Background with Technical Notes for Clinical Implementation

Both nonoperative and operative treatment of proximal humerus fractures (PHF) and humeral shaft fractures can result in torsional side differences. Several measurement methods are available to determine torsional malalignment. While conventional X-ray or computed tomography would entail additional radiation exposure for the patient, and while magnetic resonance imaging might be associated with higher costs and is not suitable in cases of surgically treated fractures due to metal-induced artifacts, the sonographic measurement of humeral torsion represents a readily available and quickly performable measurement method without radiation exposure. Both fully sonographic procedures and sonographically assisted procedures have been described in the literature for this purpose. To date, however, its application in the case of trauma patients, for example those with healed PHF and humeral shaft fractures, is not reported. This viewpoint article aims to provide a concise summary of the literature concerning ultrasonographic indirect measurements of humeral torsional side differences, with technical notes for clinical implementation in case of healed proximal humerus fractures and humeral shaft fractures

Predicting the deltoid tuberosity index in proximal humerus fractures using fracture characteristics and patient age: development of the LBQ-PHF score

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate (1) whether fracture pattern and age are associated with local bone quality (LBQ), and (2) whether a scoring system based on these variables is able to predict LBQ in proximal humerus fractures (PHF). Materials and methods A retrospective study was performed of all acute PHF at a Level 2 trauma center with plain radiographs and CT between June 2009 and March 2022. Local bone quality was measured by using the deltoid tuberosity index (DTI). In addition to age and gender, fracture morphology was categorized using the following classification systems: Neer, Resch, AO Foundation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA), and Hertel/LEGO. Additionally, coronal head alignment was calculated by measuring the head-shaft angle. Results Only the Resch classification system revealed a significant relationship between fracture type and bone quality, as there was a significant association between coronal head alignment and DTI (p = 0.001). Valgus head alignment was observed significantly more frequent in patients with low bone quality (p = 0.002). Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relative risk ratio for age (RRR = 0.97, [95% CI, 0.94-1], p = 0.039) and a non-significant trend for DTI (RRR = 1.26, [95% CI, 0.96–1.64], p = 0.092) for occurrence of anatomic relative to valgus head alignment. Using a DTI cut-off value of 1.3 instead of 1.4, age and also varus head alignment were identified as significant predictors of LBQ (OR = 1.12, [95% CI, 1.1–1.15], p < 0.001; OR = 0.54, [95% CI, 0.3–0.96], p = 0.037). A scoring system called the LBQ-PHF score (local bone quality in proximal humerus fractures), developed based on these two variables was able to predict LBQ with a sensitivity of 79.2% and a specificity of 86.7%. Conclusion Age and coronal humeral head alignment are independent predictors of LBQ in PHF. A simple scoring system developed based on these variables is able to assess BQ with solid predictive characteristics

Biomechanical Assessment of Three Osteosynthesis Constructs by Periprosthetic Humerus Fractures

Background. Biomechanical stability assessment of 3 different constructs for proximal fixation of a locking compression plate (LCP) in treating a Worland type C periprosthetic fracture after total shoulder arthroplasty. Methods. 27 Worland type C fractures after shoulder arthroplasty in synthetic humeri were treated with 14-hole LCP that is proximally fixed using the following: (1) 1 × 1.5 mm cerclage wires and 2x unicortical-locking screws, (2) 3 × 1.5 mm cerclage wires, or (3) 2x bicortical-locking attachment plates. Torsional stiffness was assessed by applying an internal rotation moment of 5 Nm and then after unloading the specimen, an external rotation moment of 5 Nm at the same rate was applied. Axial stiffness was assessed by applying a 50 N preload, and then applying a cyclic load of 250 N, then increasing the load by 50 N each time, until a maximum axial load of 2500 N was reached or specimen failure occurred. Results. With regard to internal as well as external rotational stiffness, group 1 showed a mean stiffness of 0.37 Nm/deg and 0.57 Nm/deg, respectively, group 2 had a mean stiffness of 0.51 Nm/deg and 0.39 Nm/deg, respectively, while group 3 had a mean stiffness of 1.34 Nm/deg and 1.31 Nm/deg, respectively. Concerning axial stiffness, group 1 showed an average stiffness of 451.0 N/mm, group 2 had a mean stiffness of 737.5 N/mm, whereas group 3 had a mean stiffness of 715.8 N/mm. Conclusion. Group 3 displayed a significantly higher torsional stiffness while a comparable axial stiffness to group 2