Erhan Serin

Variation of carrying angle with age, sex, and special reference to side

We measured the carrying angle using a universal full-circle manual goniometer on the dominant and non-dominant extremity of the elbow in 1275 healthy volunteers (631 males, 644 females) with a mean age of 22.87+/-15.99 years (range: 2-91 years). In the right arm dominant group, right carrying angle was 11.25 degrees +/- 3.73 degrees and left carrying angle was 10.57 degrees +/- 3.63 degrees (P<.001). In left arm dominant group, right carrying angle was 10.65 degrees +/- 3.99 degrees and left carrying angle was 12.93 degrees +/- 4.22 degrees (P<.001). The carrying angle of dominant arm was found to be significantly higher than the non-dominant arm in both sexes. The carrying angle of dominant and non-dominant arms were found to be significantly higher in patients aged >14 years than that of patients aged < or = 14 years; females ranked higher than males.

Treatment of displaced, proximal, humeral, epiphyseal fractures with a two-prong splint

To evaluate the use of a two-prong splint for displaced, proximal, humerus, epiphyseal fractures, seven children with Neer-Horwitz Classification Type 3–4 fractures of the proximal humerus were retrospectively investigated. After closed reduction, fracture stabilization was accomplished with the use of a two-prong splint, and at an average follow-up of 54 months (range 48–62 months), all children were evaluated radiographically and functionally. There were no complications, and all patients had full painless range of shoulder and elbow motion, without malunion, joint incongruity, nonunion, avascular necrosis, and limb-length discrepancy. The results did not change over time. Treatment of displaced, proximal, humeral, epiphyseal fractures with a two-prong splint gives satisfactory results while allowing immediate motion and gradual reduction of the fragments without anesthesia, and it may be the treatment of choice for such injuries in children.

Plasma total homocysteine level in mothers of children with clubfoot.

The pathogenesis of clubfoot is unknown despite numerous hypotheses. To clarify the relationship between the plasma total homocysteine level and congenital idiopathic clubfoot, blood samples from mothers of children with congenital idiopathic clubfoot (group 1) and mothers of children without congenital anomaly (group 2) were studied. Groups were the same for factors affecting the plasma total homocysteine level. Mean plasma total homocysteine level was 16.34 ± 4.78 &mgr;mol/L in group 1 and 11.02 ± 1.85 &mgr;mol/L in group 2, and there was significant statistical difference between the groups (P < 0.05). Congenital idiopathic clubfoot showed a significant association with high plasma total homocysteine level. This study may be a step toward clarification of clubfoot pathogenesis.

Open fractures of the proximal humerus treated with the Ilizarov method: 12 patients followed 3-8 years

We followed 12 patients who had been treated with the Ilizarov method for open proximal humeral fractures for more than 3 years. No wound infection occurred. Avascular necrosis and nonunion were each detected in 1 patient. According to Neers criteria, the outcome was excellent or satisfactory in 8 patients.