BACKGROUND: A comminuted @entity174 in an older @entity1 is a difficult clinical problem. Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) carries the risks of nonunion, loss of fixation, @entity281 , and stiffness. Arthroplasty carries the risks of @entity281 , and @entity3564 . Both procedures are technically challenging, and complications following these procedures are frequent. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate best available evidence to assist in guiding clinical decision making for ORIF versus arthroplasty of @entity7334 in elderly @entity1 . HIGHEST AVAILABLE EVIDENCE: 1. Case series of internal fixation or arthroplasty of acute interarticular distal humerus @entity174 in the elderly (level IV). 2. Review of expert opinion without explicit critical appraisal or controlled research (level V). STUDY IDENTIFICATION: 1. Computerized data search 1969-2003, Cochrane Database, OVID Search Engine. 2. Reviews of bibliographies of selected articles.

Internal fixation versus arthroplasty of comminuted XXXX of the distal humerus.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity174 :: ('MESH:D050723', 'Disease') :: ['fractures', 'distal humerus fracture'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['infection', 'loosening, infection'] @entity7334 :: ('MESH:D057072', 'Disease') :: ['intraarticular distal humeral fractures'] @entity3564 :: ('MESH:D057068', 'Disease') :: ['periprosthetic fracture']
@entity174 :: (MESH:D050723,Disease) :: ['fractures']
