Comparison between minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and open reduction–internal fixation for proximal humeral fractures: a meta-analysis based on 1050 individuals

Abstract

Background

Fractures of the proximal humerus are the third most common osteoporotic fracture type [1], accounting for 4%–5% of all fractures [2]. By 2030, the number of proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) will increase three times due to the increasing geriatric population [3]. Nondisplaced or minimally displaced PHFs can be successfully treated in a nonsurgical manner [4]. However, seriously displaced or unstable fractures usually require surgical treatment to achieve normal shoulder function [5]. There are many surgical strategies that were proven to be clinically effective, including minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO), open reduction–internal fixation (ORIF), intramedullary nails, and primary arthroplasty [6]. Among those, ORIF with a locking plate is the commonly preferred surgical modality [7]; however, ORIF is associated with complications such as avascular necrosis of the humeral head and nonunion and infection due to extensive soft tissue stripping [8].

Recently, with the development of the concept of minimally invasive technologies and biological fixation, the MIPO has been widely used in the treatment for PHFs [9, 10]. This approach minimizes soft tissue dissection, effectively reduces postoperative pain, and improves bone healing [11].

Although a meta-analysis has compared the clinical outcomes and complications of MIPO and ORIF for treatment PHFs [12], it only included seven studies, and more published data have become available in recent years. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of all available comparative studies to compare the clinical outcomes and complications between MIPO and ORIF in the treatment of PHFs. Furthermore, we performed subgroup analysis of the constant score for a more comprehensive meta-analysis.

Methods

Aim

The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare clinical outcomes and complications of MIPO and ORIF in patients with PHFs.

Search strategy

The meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statements [13]. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid, and the Cochrane Library to identify all relevant studies from inception to April 2019. The search terms were “proximal humeral fracture,” “shoulder fractures,” “humerus surgical neck fracture,” “open reduction–internal fixation,” “ORIF,” “minimally invasive,” and “MIPO.” Additionally, the reference lists of relevant studies were manually searched. Languages were not restricted.

Study selection

The studies that met the following inclusion criteria were selected: population (PHF), intervention (MIPO), control (ORIF), outcomes (blood loss, operative time, time of radiation exposure, fracture healing time, postoperative pain, function score, and complications), and study design (randomized [RCT] or nonrandomized control trial [non-RCT]). We excluded animal studies, case reports, letters, multiple publications, and patients with pathological fractures.

Data extraction

Two reviewers (F. L. L. and F. Q. W.) independently extracted relevant data from the included studies. Discrepancies between data extracted were resolved by discussion between the two reviewers; if consensus was not reached, another author (T. N.) was consulted. The following data were extracted: the first author’s name, publication year, sample size, interventions, mean age, male/female ratio, duration of follow-up, fracture type, blood loss, operation time, duration of radiation exposure, postoperative pain, duration of fracture healing, functional outcomes, and complications.

Quality assessment

Two reviews (F. L. L. and F. Q. W.) independently evaluated the methodological qualities and risk of bias of the non-RCTs with use of Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies (MINORS) [14]. The same two researchers assessed the quality of the RCTs using the Cochrane Handbook. A third reviewer resolved disagreements.

Statistical analysis

All of the data were analyzed by Review Manager version 5.3 provided by the Cochrane Collaboration (London, UK). Continuous variables were expressed as mean differences (MDs) or standard mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Dichotomous variables were presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI. A P value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. The heterogeneity between studies was assessed by chi-square test and I² test. If there was significant heterogeneity (P < 0.1 or I² > 50%), a random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis. Otherwise, a fixed-effects model was used. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plot.

Results

Literature search

A total of 608 potentially relevant studies were identified. After removing 211 duplicates, we screened 397 papers. By reading the title and abstract, 355 papers were excluded according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 42 studies were assessed by reading the full text; eventually, 16 studies involving 1050 patients (464 patients in the MIPO group and 586 patients in the ORIF group) were included in the meta-analysis [9, 10, 15–28]. The flow diagram of the included studies is shown in Figure 1. The characteristics of the included studies are listed in Table 1.

Table 1 here

Methodological quality

The methodological quality of the RCTs [9, 27] was assessed by the Cochrane Handbook, the assessment results are summarized in Figure 2. The quality index scores of the non-RCTs [10, 15–26, 28] were 14–20. The assessment results are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2 here

Results of the meta-analysis

Blood loss

Nine studies involving 610 patients reported blood loss [10, 15–18, 21, 22, 25, 27]. Heterogeneity tests indicated high heterogeneity (P < 0.00001; I² = 98%); a random-effects model was used. The result showed lesser blood loss in the MIPO group than that in the ORIF group (MD = –115.26; 95% CI: –167.48 to –63.03; P < 0.0001; Figure 3).

Operation time

Thirteen studies [9, 10, 15–19, 21, 22, 25–28], with 921 patients, mentioned operation time, and the heterogeneity test indicated significant heterogeneity (P < 0.00001; I² = 96%); thus, a random-effects model was adopted. The results showed shorter operation time in the MIPO group than that in the ORIF group (MD = –20.71; 95% CI: –30.21 to –11.22; P < 0.0001; Figure 4).

Radiation time

Three articles [23, 26, 28], with 189 patients, stated radiation time, but used different units of time; therefore, the SMD was adopted. A random-effects model was used, with obvious heterogeneity (P < 0.00001; I² = 98%). The duration of radiation exposure in the MIPO group was longer than that in the ORIF group (MD = 4.36; 95% CI: 1.21 to 7.51; P = 0.007; Figure 5).

Postoperative pain

The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate postoperative pain, and seven studies [15, 18, 19, 24–27], with 486 patients, reported the VAS score. A random-effects model was used, with obvious heterogeneity (P < 0.0001; I² = 79%). The meta-analysis showed a significantly lower VAS score in the MIPO group than in the ORIF group (MD = –0.54; 95% CI: –1.04 to –0.04; P = 0.04; Figure 6).

Union time

Ten studies [9, 15–19, 21, 23, 27, 28], with 608 patients, indicated postoperative union time, but used different units of time; therefore, the SMD was adopted. Heterogeneity tests indicated that significant heterogeneity (P = 0.0003; I² = 71%); thus, a random-effects model was adopted. The meta-analysis showed a shorter time to union in the MIPO group than in the ORIF group (SMD = –0.38; 95% CI: –0.70 to –0.06; P = 0.02; Figure 7).

Functional outcomes

The constant score of Neer type II fractures were provided in four studies [9, 15, 23, 27, 28]. A fixed-effects model was used (P = 0.16; I² = 39%), and analysis showed significantly higher score in the MIPO group than in the ORIF group (MD = 2.24; 95% CI: 0.82 to 3.65; P = 0.02; Figure 8).

The constant score of Neer type III fractures were stated in four studies [9, 15, 24, 27]. A fixed-effects model was used (P = 0.42; I² = 0%), and analysis showed significantly higher score in the MIPO group than in the ORIF group (MD = 1.95; 95% CI: 0.98 to 2.92; P < 0.001; Figure 8).

Meta-analysis was not performed for the constant score of Neer type IV PHFs because it was reported by only one study.

Axillary nerve injury

Four studies [17, 22, 23, 25], with 305 patients, reported axillary nerve injury. A fixed-effects model was used (P = 0.95; I² = 0%), and results showed a significantly higher rate of axillary nerve injury in the MIPO group than in the ORIF group (OR = 4.88; 95% CI: 1.03 to 23.25; P = 0.05).

Complications

Thirteen studies reported complications. A fixed-effects model was used (P = 0.88; I² = 0%), and pooled results showed no significant difference in total complication rate between the two groups (OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.51 to 1.07; P = 0.11; Figure 9). However, the MIPO group had a significantly higher rate of axillary nerve injury that the ORIF group (OR = 4.88; 95% CI: 1.03 to 23.25; P = 0.05; I² = 0%). The pooled results of the following complications showed no significant difference between the two groups (Table 3): avascular necrosis, impingement, screw perforation, implant loosening, delayed union or nonunion, limited abduction, and varus.

Table 3 here

Publication bias

Funnel plots of the total complication rate showed no significant visual evidence of publication bias (Figure 9).

Discussion

We compared the clinical outcomes and complications of MIPO and ORIF in patients with PHFs in this meta-analysis. In contrast to a previously published meta-analysis [12], our meta-analysis involved a larger number of studies, but did not completely yield the same results. The findings of this study suggested that MIPO had advantages in operation time, blood loss, postoperative pain, fracture union time, and constant score compared with ORIF. However, MIPO had a higher rate of axillary nerve injury and longer radiation time compared with ORIF. There was no significant difference in complications between the two groups.

Over the past decade, the MIPO technique has become a more popular treatment for PHF [29]. Kim et al. [28] reported that the MIPO technique via the deltoid-splitting approach can provide sufficient field of vision of the plate location by minimal soft tissue dissection. Thus, it is easy to perform a reduction of a large greater tuberosity fragment [22], significantly reducing operation time and blood loss.

The MIPO technique minimizes incision and avoids damage to the deltoid muscle, which will reduce postoperative pain and facilitate early functional training [27]. Early functional training plays a positive role for recovery of shoulder joint function.

In this meta-analysis, the MIPO group had a significantly longer radiation duration because the patients underwent indirect reduction under fluoroscopy [28]. MIPO’s longer radiation time, compared with that of ORIF, is a negative aspect of MIPO.

Restoration to normal shoulder function is an important goal of the treatment of PHF. The present study showed that MIPO provides a better constant score of Neer type II or III PHFs. The result was similar to that of previous studies [23, 27]. Therefore, MIPO achieves better shoulder function in the treatment of PHFs.

Another important finding of this meta-analysis was the higher rate of axillary nerve injury in the MIPO group than in the ORIF group. Acklin et al. [30] reported that axillary nerve injury is the risk factor of the MIPO. However, Koljonen et al. [31] reported no axillary nerve injury in patients treated with MIPO. Whether axillary nerve lesions are more frequent in the MIPO approach remains controversial. These may due to the different surgical experiences of surgeons. A large sample of RCTs is needed to confirm our conclusions.

Meta-analysis results indicated that MIPO had shorter time to union compared with that ORIF in PHFs. Similar results were also reported by five of the included studies [15, 16, 18, 21, 23]. The MIPO technique is commonly believed to provide advantages of fracture union process, as it maintains the periosteum and soft tissue around the fracture site [28].

The meta-analysis results showed no significant difference in impingement, screw perforation, implant loosening, avascular necrosis, delayed union or nonunion, limited abduction, and varus collapse between the MIPO and ORIF groups.

Our study has some limitations. First, the outcomes, except for the constant score, were not analyzed separately according to Neer classification. The main reason was that most studies did not show the data of interest in a separate form. Second, only two RCTs were included. Finally, the follow-up duration was short; longer follow-up may identify more complications. Therefore, RCTs with longer follow-up duration and larger number of samples are needed to confirm our results.

Conclusion

The meta-analysis results showed that in comparison with ORIF, MIPO had advantages in operation time, blood loss, postoperative pain, and fracture union time for the treatment of PHFs. The MIPO technique is associated with better shoulder function of Neer type II or III PHFs. However, the MIPO technique had higher rate of axillary nerve injury and longer radiation time compared with ORIF. There was no significant difference in complication rates between MIPO and ORIF. Therefore, MIPO can be the treatment of choice for PHFs, but surgeons should pay attention to reducing radiation exposure and avoiding axillary nerve injury.

Abbreviations

CI, confidence intervals

MD, mean difference

MINORS, Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies

MIPO, minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis

OR, odds ratio

ORIF, open reduction–internal fixation

PHF, proximal humeral fracture

PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

RCT, randomized control trial

SMD, standard mean difference

VAS, visual analogue scale

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable.

Consent for publication: Not applicable

Availability of data and materials: All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.

Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Funding: This study was supported by the Foundation of Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province（20161BAB205235），the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81460341).

Authors’ contributions: F. L. L., and Z. P. G. conducted literature search and determined studies for exclusion and inclusion. F. L. L., F. Q. W. extracted data from the included studies, performed the meta-analysis, and drafted the manuscript. F. L. L., T. N., X. Q. L. conceived the idea of the study, designed the study. Q. Y. T., X. W. L., C. Y., X. Q. L., and T. N. reviewed and Edited the manuscript. T. N. performed major revision and minor revision. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Acknowledgements: We greatly appreciate the assistance of the company Editage in Shanghai, which provided English language editing

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Tables

Table 1: Characteristics of included studies

MIPO: minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis; ORIF: open reduction–internal fixation; NS: not stated.

Table 2: MINORS appraisal scores for the included nonrandomized control trial

MINORS: methodological index for nonrandomized studies.

(1) A clearly stated aim; (2) inclusion of consecutive patients; (3) prospective collection of data; (4) endpoints appropriate to the aim of the study; (5) unbiased assessment of the study endpoint; (6) follow-up period appropriate to the aim of the study; (7) loss to follow-up that is <5%; (8) prospective calculation of the study size; (9) an adequate control group; (10) contemporary groups; (11) baseline equivalence of groups; (12) adequate statistical analyses. The items were scored as “0” (not reported), “1” (reported but inadequate), or “2” (reported and adequate).

Table 3: Meta-analysis of reported complications

MIPO: minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis; ORIF: open reduction–internal fixation; OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval.