[Percutaneous reduction and fixation of osteoporotic fractures for the proximal humerus in a geriatric population].

OBJECTIVE

To appraise the value of clinical treatment of percutaneous reduction and fixation of osteoporotic fractures for the proximal humerus in a geriatric population.

METHODS

Postoperation complication, mortality in hospital and within the first three months postoperation, operation time, blood transfusion requirement, the functional outcome of the shoulder had been analysed and observed in 37 cases for open and closed fixation.

RESULTS

Closed reduction provided the benefit of obtaining and holding adequate reduction without the soft-tissue dissection of open reduction and internal fixation. The general complication and mortality in the first three months postoperation in the open reduction and internal fixation cases were more severe than the percutaneous cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Open operation increases the risk of the geriatric population with osteoporotic proximal humerus fracture; percutaneous reduction and fixation may be preferable.