title: Primary Exploration of Radial Nerve is Not Required for Radial Nerve Palsy while Treating Humerus Shaft Fractures with Unreamed Humerus Nails (UHN).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Today, humerus nails have become the surgical method of choice in the treatment of humerus shaft fractures. Whether or not the radial nerve should be intraoperatively examined by default in case of primary paresis is currently under discussion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical findings from 38 patients with humeral shaft fractures surgically treated with unreamed humerus nail (UHN) at the Department of Accident Surgery, University Clinics Bonn, Germany, between 2000 and 2003 were retrospectively assessed. Constant Score was applied for evaluation of functional results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 40% of patients, primary radial nerve paresis was present. This was especially common after high energy trauma (e.g. traffic accident) and significantly increased in fractures of the middle third. In 93% of cases, spontaneous remission of motor and sensory loss was observed. No iatrogenic radial nerve impairment occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to the high rates of spontaneous remissions of radial nerve palsy after treatment with UHN in humerus shaft fractures, primar exploration of the radial nerve does not appear to be necessary.
authors.affiliation: Geschäftsstelle der Ethik-Kommission der Medizinischen Fakultät der Universität zu Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, D-50937 Köln, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grass
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kabir
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ohse
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rangger
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Besch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mathiak