TENSION BAND INTERNAL-FIXATION WITH RESORBABLE THREADS FOR COMMINUTED FRACTURES OF THE PROXIMAL HUMERUS

We reviewed 25 cases of comminuted fractures of the proximal humerus that were operatively treated from December 1984 to December 1988. Ten patients were treated by a Magerl operation modified by Marti using a metallic wire as a tension band. Twelve patients were operated on using a resorbable PDS (Polydioxanon) thread in the same manner. In this paper the PDS thread technique is described. The two groups are clinically and radiologically comparable. Using a PDS thread as a tension band has evident advantages: the relatively simple technique and the absence of implant removal.