[Surgery for pseudarthrosis of humeral shaft fractures: a retrospective series of 21 cases].
BACKGROUND
The morbidity of surgery for non-union of the humerus is not insignificant: the aims of this retrospective study were to study the results of these rather difficult procedures and to make some logical suggestions regarding surgical technique.


METHODS
Between 1996 and 2000, 21 patients had a surgical procedure for non-union of the humeral shaft. At follow-up, the mean age was 40 years. The causes of the initial trauma were: 12 road accidents, seven standing height falls, one fall from a window, one farm machine accident. The commonest fracture site was the middle third. In 17 procedures, we performed plate osteosyntesis. Three patients were treated by external fixator because of infection. In one patient we used a nail. For the follow-up evaluation, we used the score of the Western Orthopaedic Society.


RESULTS
According to the "WOS" score evaluation, we noted: ten very good results, five good results, three poor results and one bad result. The bad result corresponded to the patient in whom consolidation was not obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
Management of non-union of the humerus should be by immediate surgery. The best treatment of non-union of the humerus is its prevention by correct management of the initial fracture.
Chantelot
C
C
Service de chirurgie de la main et du membre supérieur, hôpital Roger-Salengro, CHRU de Lille, France. christophe.chantelot@wanadoo.fr
Ferry
S
S
Lahoude-Chantelot
S
S
Prodomme
G
G
Guinand
C
C
Fontaine
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome