Management of distal humerus fracture-related infections after fixation: A retrospective study

Figure 1 Case 1. A: Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs, taken at the time of admission, showing an articular distal humeral fracture of a 29-year-old man; B: Postoperative radiograph taken after open reduction and internal fixation with a medial plate. The patient developed symptoms of acute fracture-related infection (local redness, pain and a fistula) 20 days after the open reduction and internal fixation; C: Healed fracture 8 weeks after a debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention procedure).

Figure 2 Case 2. A: Anteroposterior radiographs, taken at the time of admission, showing a displaced open articular distal humerus fracture and temporary stabilization with K-wires and an external fixator. After 10 days, open reduction and internal fixation was performed using two perpendicular distal humeral plates; B: Non-union with hardware failure 3 months after surgery, associated to high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein blood levels; C: Fracture union after an implant removal and prolonged immobilization in a static posterior splint.

Figure 3 Our treatment strategy for distal humerus fracture-related infections. TEA: Total elbow arthroplasty.