Radiological Outcomes, Complications, and the Influence of Risk Factors in PHILOS Repair of Three- and Four-Part Proximal Humerus Fractures with and Without Femoral Head Allograft: Insights from a Cohort of 116 Patients

<b>Background</b>: Complications after proximal humerus osteosynthesis are not uncommon. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of osteosynthesis using PHILOS with fresh-frozen femoral head allograft augmentation and without it, and to assess the influence of risk factors and their impact on the occurrence of postoperative complications. <b>Methods</b>: This retrospective study evaluates the radiological outcomes and complications of treating proximal humerus fractures (Neer III-IV) in 116 patients over 50 years of age treated between 2017 and 2021. <b>Results</b>: Osteosynthesis without allograft was performed in 84 patients and with allograft in 32 patients. In total, 42 patients (36%) had a three-part fracture and 74 (64%) had a four-part fracture. The Deltoid Tuberosity Index was comparable between the groups (1.59 ± 0.25 vs. 1.50 ± 0.26; <i>p</i> = 0.802). The average duration of surgery was 101.3 ± 21.3 min with allograft and 86.0 ± 31.9 min without allograft (<i>p</i> = 0.004). AVN was verified in four patients (3.5%), head collapse in nine (8%), cut-out in six (5%), reoperation in eight (7%), infection in three (2.5%), and pseudoarthrosis in one (1%) case. <b>Conclusions</b>: An allograft augmentation improves construct stability, but cannot compensate for inadequate surgical technique. None of the risk factors significantly influenced the development of AVN and pseudoarthrosis. The greater tubercle comminution (<i>p</i> = 0.005), calcar loss (<i>p</i> = 0.020, <i>p</i> = 0.112), allograft augmentation (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and medial hinge restoration (<i>p</i> = 0.012, <i>p</i> = 0.002) were significant risk factors associated with HC and screw cut-out, respectively. The greater tubercle redislocation was influenced by its comminution, calcar loss, and the use of allograft augmentation. HFZ and DTI had no significant impact on surgery results or complications.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2026-01-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020910
Primary Topic
Shoulder Injury and Treatment
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Radiological Outcomes, Complications, and the Influence of Risk Factors in PHILOS Repair of Three- and Four-Part Proximal Humerus Fractures with and Without Femoral Head Allograft: Insights from a Cohort of 116 Patients

Milan Cipkala, Zoltan Cibula, Marian Grendar, Monika Cervencova et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Shoulder Injury and Treatment
article

Radiological Outcomes, Complications, and the Influence of Risk Factors in PHILOS Repair of Three- and Four-Part Proximal Humerus Fractures with and Without Femoral Head Allograft: Insights from a Cohort of 116 Patients

Milan Cipkala, Zoltan Cibula, Marian Grendar, Monika Cervencova, Diaa Sammoudi
article en

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: Complications after proximal humerus osteosynthesis are not uncommon. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of osteosynthesis using PHILOS with fresh-frozen femoral head allograft augmentation and without it, and to assess the influence of risk factors and their impact on the occurrence of postoperative complications. <b>Methods</b>: This retrospective study evaluates the radiological outcomes and complications of treating proximal humerus fractures (Neer III-IV) in 116 patients over 50 years of age treated between 2017 and 2021. <b>Results</b>: Osteosynthesis without allograft was performed in 84 patients and with allograft in 32 patients. In total, 42 patients (36%) had a three-part fracture and 74 (64%) had a four-part fracture. The Deltoid Tuberosity Index was comparable between the groups (1.59 ± 0.25 vs. 1.50 ± 0.26; <i>p</i> = 0.802). The average duration of surgery was 101.3 ± 21.3 min with allograft and 86.0 ± 31.9 min without allograft (<i>p</i> = 0.004). AVN was verified in four patients (3.5%), head collapse in nine (8%), cut-out in six (5%), reoperation in eight (7%), infection in three (2.5%), and pseudoarthrosis in one (1%) case. <b>Conclusions</b>: An allograft augmentation improves construct stability, but cannot compensate for inadequate surgical technique. None of the risk factors significantly influenced the development of AVN and pseudoarthrosis. The greater tubercle comminution (<i>p</i> = 0.005), calcar loss (<i>p</i> = 0.020, <i>p</i> = 0.112), allograft augmentation (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and medial hinge restoration (<i>p</i> = 0.012, <i>p</i> = 0.002) were significant risk factors associated with HC and screw cut-out, respectively. The greater tubercle redislocation was influenced by its comminution, calcar loss, and the use of allograft augmentation. HFZ and DTI had no significant impact on surgery results or complications.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(2)
Martin University Hospital (SK), Comenius University Bratislava (SK)
Openalex Percentile: Top 77%
Shoulder Injury and Treatment
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.