Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the use of locking compression plates (LCP)
in Y-T humeral condyle fractures and to evaluate their clinical outcome.
Methods This study involved a retrospective review, including clinical, radiographical and
canine brief pain inventory outcome evaluation.
Results Eighteen consecutive dogs met the inclusion criteria, and 15/18 were considered to
have humeral intracondylar fissure. Twelve of 18 dogs had simple fractures, and the
remaining six had comminuted fractures. Postoperative radiographs revealed accurate
intracondylar reconstruction (articular step defect [ASD] < 1 mm) in 17/18 of patients.
Short-term outcome was considered fully functional in 9/13 and acceptable in 3/13
patients. Complications were diagnosed in 2/13; infection in one with resolution after
antibiotic treatment, and one case of implant failure. Nine of 18 owners provided
postoperative questionnaire responses (median 25; range: 14–52 months) and 8/9 clients
perceived the treatment to have resulted in an excellent overall outcome.
Clinical significance Repair of Y-T humeral fractures with LCP allowed for hybrid fixation and monocortical
screw placement in distal fracture fragments. There was no significant ASD at the
intracondylar fracture line in most cases. ASD using combined medial and lateral approaches
depends upon the accuracy of supracondylar reduction, particularly on the side that
is reduced and stabilized first, and the use of locking screws may have been influential
in minimizing primary loss of reduction, potentially maintaining the initial fragment
reduction.
Keywords
locking compression plate - humeral - condylar fracture - Y fracture - fracture fixation
- dogs
