Surgical treatment of AO type C distal humeral fractures: internal fixation with a Y-shaped reconstruction (Lambda) plate.

Although surgical repair is considered the standard treatment for intraarticular distal humeral fractures, most investigators have assessed its results using dual-plate fixation in 2 planes. The purpose of this study was to determine the functional outcome of open reduction and internal fixation of these complex fractures using Y-shaped reconstruction plates. We identified 17 patients who had operative treatment for Arbeitsgemeinschaft Für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) type 1, 3-C fractures using a Y-shaped Lambda plate (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN).