Anterior plating as a surgical alternative in the treatment of humeral shaft non-union.
This study included 15 patients with humeral shaft fractures who had no clinical, radiological or bone scan signs of healing after eight months. The patients were followed for a mean of 35.8 months. No patient was lost to follow-up. Anterior plating of humeral shaft nonunion via an anterior approach was performed using a straight plate and compression for well-vascularised non-unions and wave plating with a tricortical graft for poorly vascularised non-unions. All non-unions healed within 6-18 weeks (mean, nine weeks) without local complication. One patient had a mild decrease in elbow and shoulder range of motion. No neurovascular injury was observed. Anterior plating is a simple, safe and effective treatment for humeral shaft non-union. As this approach avoids the need for radial nerve visualisation and extensive soft-tissue dissection, and the healing time is similar to that of other methods, we suggest this treatment as an alternative option.
Livani
Bruno
B
Department of Orthopaedics, UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. brunolivani@hotmail.com
Belangero
William
W
Medina
Giovanna
G
Pimenta
Ciro
C
Zogaib
Rodrigo
R
Mongon
Mauricio
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult