title: Internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures using minimally invasive plating: comparative study of two implants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We compared the results of two types of implants, dynamic compression plates (DCPs) and locking compression plates (LCPs), applied to correct mid-distal third humeral shaft fractures using minimally invasive plating osteosynthesis (MIPO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of 43 patients with mid-distal third humeral shaft fractures treated using MIPO were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the implants applied: group A (n = 26), those whose fractures were fixed with 4.5-mm DCP, and group B (n = 17) fixed with 4.5-mm LCP or metaphyseal LCP. The outcomes of the two groups in terms of operative time, time of fracture union, occurrence of early and late postoperative complications, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) End-Result score and the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean operative time was 107.8 ± 33.1 min in group A and 91.2 ± 40.4 min in group B (p > 0.05). The mean time of fracture union was 16.77 ± 6.01 weeks in group A and 14.59 ± 5.73 weeks in group B (p > 0.05). Seven (26.9 %) patients had postoperative complications in group A and 3 (17.6 %) in group B (p > 0.05). The mean UCLA End-Result score in group A was 34.31 ± 1.26 points and 33.12 ± 2.76 points in group B (p > 0.05). The mean MEPI was 100.00 ± 0.00 points in group A and 97.35 ± 7.52 points in group B (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In surgical stabilization of mid-distal humeral shaft fractures using MIPO, application of DCP or LCP resulted in good outcomes, there were no significant differences between the outcomes of these two types of implant.
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China.
authors: Longxiang
authors: L
authors: Shen
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Qin
authors: Zhiquan
authors: Z
authors: An
authors: Bingfang
authors: B
authors: Zeng
authors: Famin
authors: F
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D061646:Operative Time; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome