title: Functional and radiological outcome of Intramedullary nailing vs. plate fixation for humeral shaft fractures. Does treatment method bring any difference?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Operative Management of Humeral shaft fractures may be accomplished with the help of Plate fixation or IM Nails. Controversy exists as to which modality is superior to the other in terms of fewer complications and better functional and radiological outcome.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the differences in radiological and functional outcome of humeral shaft fractures managed by platefixation and antegrade intramedullary nails.
  
  
  METHODS
  The retrospective study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised records of Patients managed surgically for uncomplicated humeral shaft fractures between 2007 and 2012. The patients were followed up for one year at clinic, and radiographs and clinical assessment were used to complete the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and HandQuestionnaire. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total 61 patients, 39(64%) underwent plating and 22(36%) had intramedullary nailing. There was no significant difference in terms of mean age and mean duration of surgery in the two groups (p>0.05 each). Also, no significant difference was noted in the duration of healing with either of the two methods (p>0.05). Mean Questionnaire score for plating was 23.9±17.7, while for intramedullary nailing it was 21.7±19.8 (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no significant difference in the radiological and functional outcome of patients in the two groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Pervaiz Mehmood
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Hashmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Yasir
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mohib
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Kashif
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abbas
keywords: Humerus shaft fracture, Plate fixation, ORIF, IM Nailing, Functional outcome, QuickDASH.