Summary
Objectives: To describe a technique for treating Y-T humeral fractures using paired string of
pearls (SOP) plates and to review the outcome in 13 cases.
Methods: A series of 13 consecutive Y-T humeral fractures, otherwise known as distal humeral
dicondylar fractures, were treated according to a surgical protocol which involved
combined medial and lateral surgical approaches, accurate reduction and fixation of
the condylar fracture with a single transcondylar lag screw, and then re-alignment
and fixation of the diaphyseal fracture using two SOP plates and screws.
Results: Functional outcome was recorded as excellent in 10 dogs, good in two and poor in
one. Six of the 13 patients were working dogs and of these, five returned to pre-injury
levels of activity, including work. Complications requiring additional surgery were
seen in four of the 13 cases, and three of these cases had a sub-optimal functional
outcome.
Clinical significance: The results following repair of Y-T fractures using SOP locking plates, placed via
combined medial and lateral incisions, compared favourably with those reported for
other techniques.
Keywords
Fracture - dog - string of pearls - humeral condyle
