title: The role of external fixation in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures: a retrospective case study review on 85 humeral fractures.
abstract: There is no consensus among surgeons on the treatment for humeral fractures: the best it is still a matter of some debate. The aim of our work was to demonstrate that external fixation may be considered a valid method not only in emergencies but also for the definitive treatment of such fractures. We perform a retrospective case study review on 85 humeral fractures, 62 shaft fractures, and 23 extrarticular distal third fractures treated with external fixation. Clinical (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and SF-36) and radiographic follow-up lasted on average 30 months (minimum 12 to maximum 36). Complete healing of fractures was achieved in 97.6% of cases (83 patients), with an average consolidation time of about 12 weeks (83.2 days). One case of delayed union and one case of refracture were encountered. Eighty-one patients demonstrated SF-36 scores at or above the national average and an average DASH score of 8.9. External fixation of humeral shaft fractures is considered a valid treatment method as it provides good results in terms of stability of reduction, tolerability, healing times, and functional recovery.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Michelangelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scaglione
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: lucafabbri8@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dell' Omo
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goffi
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Clinic, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guido
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: External fixation; Humeral shaft fracture; Radial nerve palsy