Intraoperative Parameters of Comminuted Proximal Humerus Fractures: A Comparison Between Deltoid-Split and Deltopectoral Approaches

Background and objective Many controversies exist in the literature regarding proximal humerus fractures treated with various surgical procedures. The chosen approach decides the level of comfort with which the surgeon can perform a particular surgery in orthopedics and the amount of reduction a surgeon can bring to a fractured bone. The purpose of this study was to compare variables such as time taken for surgery, achievement of reduction, and intraoperative blood loss between the two most frequently employed surgical approaches for proximal humerus in comminuted fractures: the deltoid-split (DS) approach and deltopectoral (DP) approach. Methods All patients with Neer III and IV types proximal humerus fractures treated with Proximal Humeral Interlocking System (PHILOS) plating from 2017 to 2020 were invited to participate in the study. The exclusion criteria were as follows: Neer type I and II fractures, pre-existing limb pathology, patient refusal or patient being unfit for surgery, and patient requiring a different modality of treatment like external fixator and pinning. After obtaining consent, the dark envelope method was used to randomize patients into one of the two treatment methods. The variables analyzed were time taken for the surgery, intraoperative blood loss, anatomical reduction in immediate postoperative X-ray, and complications. The results were analyzed and findings were recorded. Results A total of 42 patients were randomized into the two groups (22 DS, 20 DP; mean age of 44.85 years for DS and 49.61 years for DP). In terms of age, gender, and Neer fracture classification, the groups were comparable. The average blood loss estimated was less in the DS group compared to the DP group; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Intraoperative time was not significantly different between the DS and the DP groups. The surgeons were able to achieve a significantly higher anatomical reduction in the immediate postoperative X-ray with the DP approach compared to the DS approach. The complications (two in DS and two in DP) in either approach were equal in number although all of them were unique. Conclusions The proximal humerus fracture treatment with a PHILOS plate is considered to be a reliable option using either of the described approaches. Based on our findings, the choice of the approach has no impact on surgical time and blood loss. However, patients who were operated on with the DP approach fared better in terms of achieving reduction as assessed by immediate postoperative X-ray owing to limited exposure distally limited by the axillary nerve.