Marchetti nailing of closed fresh humeral shaft fractures.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to analyse the results of Marchetti nailing.


METHODS
Between 1995 and 2003, 143 patients with closed fresh humeral shaft fractures were treated with the Marchetti-Vicenzi nail. The fractures were classified according to the AO classification: 37 A1, 24 A2, 25 A3, 22 B1, 15 B2, 7 B3, 7 C1, 4 C2 and 2 C3.


RESULTS
Fracture healing was obtained in 136 cases. The mean healing time was 11 weeks. There were seven non-unions. The range of motion of the shoulder was excellent in 95 patients (66.4%), moderate in 43 (30%) and poor in five (4.2%). The elbow had an excellent range of motion in 89 patients (62.2%), moderate in 48 (33.5%) and poor in six (4.2%). The functional result was excellent in 56 patients (39.1%), good in 62 (43.3%), fair in 18 (12.6%) and poor in seven (4.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
Marchetti-Vicenzi nailing appears to be a good method for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures. It is technically easy and its results are satisfactory.
Martínez
A A
AA
Service of orthopaedic and trauma surgery, Miguel-Servet university hospital, C/Princesa, 11-13, 1 C, Zaragoza 50005, Spain. anmarti@wanadoo.es
Malillos
M
M
Cuenca
J
J
Herrera
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001858:Bone Nails; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome