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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: BACKGROUND, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Adult, Aged, Bone Plates, Device Removal, Elective Surgical Procedures, Female, Fracture Fixation, Internal, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Postoperative Complications, Reoperation, Retrospective Studies, Shoulder Fractures, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome.
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Do elective implant removal in symptomatic patients after internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures improves clinical outcome? Context: Operative treatment is the standard for severely displaced proximal humerus fractures, but functional impairment can persist. Retaining of the implant can be a reason and in other fracture situations has proved to ameliorate patient satisfaction. The aim of this study was to analyse the functional outcome after locking plate removal in proximal humerus fractures. In a two-year period, all symptomatic patients with plate osteosynthesis for proximal humerus fracture and hardware removal were retrospectively evaluated clinically and radiologically pre- and post-implant removal. Evaluation included Constant score, height of plate position and possible impingement, as well as intraoperative complications. Twenty patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 56 ± 12 years. The plates were placed 6.9 ± 3 mm distal to the greater tubercle. The operation was performed in 35 ± 10 min and no intraoperative complications were reported. The Constant score improved significantly after implant removal from 71 to 76 (p = 0.008).
assistant
Symptomatic patients after locked plate osteosynthesis for proximal humerus fractures showed statistically significant improvement of the Constant score after implant removal. Final Decision: yes