Anterior plating as a surgical alternative in the treatment of humeral shaft non-union

• Published in: International orthopaedics Vol. 34; no. 7; pp. 1025 - 1031
• Main Authors: Livani, Bruno, Belangero, William, Medina, Giovanna, Pimenta, Ciro, Zogaib, Rodrigo, Mongon, Mauricio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.10.2010
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bone Plates; Female; Fracture Fixation, Internal - instrumentation; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Fracture Healing; Fractures, Ununited - rehabilitation; Fractures, Ununited - surgery; Humans; Humeral Fractures - surgery; Internal Fixators; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Original Paper; Orthopedics; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Radial Nerve; Plate Osteosynthesis; Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis; Humeral Shaft; Humeral Shaft Fracture
• ISSN: 0341-2695; 1432-5195
• DOI: 10.1007/s00264-009-0863-5

This study included 15 patients with humeral shaft fractures who had no clinical, radiological or bone scan signs of healing after eight months. The patients were followed for a mean of 35.8 months. No patient was lost to follow-up. Anterior plating of humeral shaft nonunion via an anterior approach was performed using a straight plate and compression for well-vascularised non-unions and wave plating with a tricortical graft for poorly vascularised non-unions. All non-unions healed within 6–18 weeks (mean, nine weeks) without local complication. One patient had a mild decrease in elbow and shoulder range of motion. No neurovascular injury was observed. Anterior plating is a simple, safe and effective treatment for humeral shaft non-union. As this approach avoids the need for radial nerve visualisation and extensive soft-tissue dissection, and the healing time is similar to that of other methods, we suggest this treatment as an alternative option.