title: TREATMENT OF POST-TRAUMATIC HUMERAL FRACTURES AND COMPLICATIONS USING THE OSTEOLINE(®) EXTERNAL FIXATOR: A TREATMENT OPTION.
abstract: To evaluate the results obtained from treatment of humeral shaft fractures and their complications using the Osteoline(®) uniplanar external fixator.
  
  
  METHODS
  The radiographic and functional results from 78 patients with humeral shaft fractures treated using the uniplanar external fixation technique were retrospectively assessed. The patients' ages ranged from 23 to 71 years, with a mean of 47 years. Male patients predominated (79%). Out of the 78 patients, 45 presented open fractures, 14 presented pseudarthrosis and six presented synthesis failure. There were no losses during the follow-up and all the patients were discharged after fracture consolidation and functional recovery. The results were evaluated based on the studies by Catagni, as good, fair or poor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fracture consolidation was observed in 98% of the cases treated with uniplanar external fixation. Only one pseudarthrosis case required conversion to rigid internal fixation and autologous bone grafting. At the end of the treatment, all the patients were discharged with consolidated fractures, without pain, and good limb function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The external fixation described in this paper was shown to be an efficient and safe method for treating humeral shaft fractures and their complications. It preserved the local biological status and enabled passive and active movement immediately after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist and Head of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, São Lucas Accident and Maternity Hospital, Cacoal, Rondônia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos Coelho
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: de Azevedo
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist at the Orthopedics Service, Santa Casa de Misericórdia, Marília, São Paulo, and Trainee at São Lucas Accident and Maternity Hospital, Cacoal, Rondônia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gualter Maldonado
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: de Azevedo
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist at the Orthopedics Service, Santa Casa de Misericórdia, Marília, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre Yoshio
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist at the Orthopedics Service, Santa Casa de Misericórdia, Marília, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Emilio
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Dourado Nascimento
keywords: External Fixators; Humeral Fractures; Pseudarthrosis