title: Humeral shaft aseptic nonunion: treatment with opposite cortical allograft struts.
abstract: Plate fixation with cortical allograft struts has been used at our Institute for decades to treat aseptic shaft nonunion. The aim of this study was to assess the results of this technique in humeral nonunion. We retrospectively reviewed 57 consecutive patients with humeral diaphyseal nonunion treated by internal fixation combined with cortical allograft struts in the last 7 years in our Department. The patients were followed-up for a mean of 48 months. We had union in 53 cases out of 57. There were 3 cases of infection out of 15 patients previously treated with an external fixator. In our experience the cortical allograft strut is a well standardised and reproducible technique that enables the treatment of severe atrophic non-union with a relatively low complication rate and quick functional recovery.
authors.affiliation: Sezione B Chirurgia Spalla e Gomito, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy. alessandro.marinelli@ior.it
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marinelli
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Antonioli
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bettelli
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zaccarelli
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rotini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult