Shoulder problems after percutaneous antegrade intramedullary nailing in humeral diaphyseal fractures using contemporary straight third-generation nail.

BACKGROUND: Antegrade intramedullary nailing in humeral shaft fracture has been abandoned by certain orthopedic surgeons because of rotator cuff injury caused by first- and second-generation intramedullary nails (IMNs). However, only a few studies have specifically addressed the results of antegrade nailing for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures with a straight third-generation IMN; thus, complications need to be re-evaluated. We hypothesized that fixation of displaced humeral shaft fractures with a straight third-generation antegrade IMN with the percutaneous technique avoid shoulder problems (stiffness and pain) incurred by first- and second-generation IMNs. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center, nonrandomized study of 110 patients with a displaced humeral shaft fracture between 2012 and 2019 treated surgically with a long third-generation straight IMN. Mean follow-up was 35.6 months (range, 15-44 months). RESULTS: There were 73 women and 37 men with a mean age of 64.7 ± 19 years. All fractures were closed (37.3% 12A1, 13.6% 12B2, and 13.6% 12B3 AO/OTA classification). Mean Constant score was 82 ± 19, Mayo Elbow Performance Score 96 ± 11 and the mean EQ-5D visual analog scale score was 69.7 ± 21.5. Mean forward elevation 150° ± 40°, abduction 148° ± 45°, and external rotation 38° ± 15°. Symptoms associated with rotator cuff disease were present in 6.4%. Evidence of radiographic fracture healing was detected in all but 1 case. One postoperative nerve injury and 1 adhesive capsulitis were present. Overall, 6.3% underwent second surgeries (4.5% were minor surgeries like hardware removal). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous antegrade intramedullary nailing of humeral shaft fractures with a straight third-generation nail considerably reduced complications related to shoulder problems and achieved good functional results.

Is double-crossed retrograde elastic stable intramedullary nailing an alternative method for the treatment of diaphyseal fractures in the adult humerus?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare two techniques for the surgical treatment of diaphyseal fractures in the adult humerus: double-crossed retrograde elastic stable intramedullary nailing (DCR-ESIN) and limited-contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP). METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted at a single hospital. We included 122 patients with diaphyseal fractures of the humerus who had received DCR-ESIN or LC-DCP from January 2011 to January 2017. We compared union rates, union times, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) scores at the postoperative 1-year follow-up, and complications between the two groups. RESULTS: Plating management was performed in 63 patients, while DCR-ESIN was performed in 59 patients. The union rate was higher in the DCR-ESIN group than in the LC-DCP group (100% vs. 90.5%; p = 0.052). The union time was shorter in the DCR-ESIN group than in the LC-DCP group (12.0 weeks vs. 14.8 weeks; p < 0.001). The intraoperative blood loss and operative time were less in the DCR-ESIN group than in the LC-DCP group (76.4 min vs. 129.5 min; p < 0.001; 60.9 ml vs. 244.8 ml; p < 0.001, respectively). The DCR-ESIN had superior results for the rate of overall complications (p = 0.006). At the 1-year follow-up, the DCR-ESIN group had better DASH scores than the LC-DCP group (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The DCR-ESIN technique, used to treat diaphyseal fractures of the humerus, has shorter operative times, less intra-operative blood loss, shorter union times, and better functional outcomes at 1-year follow-up than the LC-DCP technique. DCR-ESIN may be an alternative method for the surgical treatment of diaphyseal humeral fractures in adults.

Open reduction-internal fixation versus intramedullary nailing for humeral shaft fractures: an expected value decision analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses have failed to collectively favor either open reduction-internal fixation (ORIF) or intramedullary nailing (IMN) fixation. The purpose of our investigation was to elucidate the optimal decision between ORIF and IMN for acute traumatic operative humeral shaft fractures through an expected value decision analysis. METHODS: We performed an expected value decision analysis and sensitivity analysis to elucidate the difference between ORIF and IMN fixation for patients with acute traumatic humeral shaft fractures. We surveyed 100 consecutive, randomly selected volunteers for their outcome preferences. Outcomes included union, delayed union, major complications, minor complications, and infection. A literature review was used to establish probabilities for each of these respective outcomes. A decision tree was constructed and a fold-back analysis was performed to find an expected patient value for each treatment option. RESULTS: The overall patient expected values for ORIF and IMN were 12.7 and 11.2, respectively. Despite artificially decreasing the rates of major complications, infection, delayed union, and nonunion each to 0% for IMN fixation (sensitivity analysis), ORIF continued to maintain a greater overall patient expected value (12.7 vs. 11.4, 11.2, 11.2, and 12.1, respectively). Only if the rate of nonunion after ORIF was increased from 6.1% to 16.8% did the overall expected outcome after ORIF equal that of IMN (11.2). CONCLUSION: Our expected value decision analysis demonstrates that patients favor ORIF over IMN as the optimal treatment decision for an acute traumatic humeral shaft fracture.

Factors associated with radial nerve palsy after operative treatment of diaphyseal humeral shaft fractures.

BACKGROUND: The radial nerve is at risk after diaphyseal humeral fracture or surgery to repair the fracture. We hypothesized that there are no factors associated with iatrogenic radial nerve palsy and, secondarily, that there are no factors associated with traumatic radial nerve palsy or radial nerve palsy of any type. METHODS: We analyzed 325 adult patients who underwent operative treatment of a diaphyseal humerus fracture at 6 hospitals between January 2002 and November 2014 to determine factors associated with a radial nerve palsy. We excluded patients with pathologic fractures, fractures with massive bone loss, prior surgery in another hospital, periprosthetic fractures, and if no operative note was available. RESULTS: In patients without a traumatic radial nerve palsy, an iatrogenic radial nerve palsy occurred in 18 of 259 diaphyseal humeral fractures (7%). The surgical approach was associated with iatrogenic radial nerve palsy (P = .034). No factors were associated with traumatic radial nerve palsy (66 of 325 patients [20%]) of the humeral diaphysis. Open fractures, location of fracture, and high-energy trauma were significantly associated with radial nerve palsy of any type (84 of 325 patients [26%]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients and surgeons should keep in mind that iatrogenic transient dysfunction of the radial nerve will occur in approximately 1 in 5 patients treated with lateral exposure of the humerus, in 1 in 9 patients treated with posterior exposure, and in 1 in 25 patients with an anterolateral exposure.

Distal Humerus Metaphyseal-Diaphyseal Junctional Fracture of a Four-Year-Old Child Treated With Intramedullary Steinmann Wire Fixation: A Case Report.

Distal humeral metaphyseal-diaphyseal fractures are rare and inherently unstable injuries. Non-operative treatments can make it hard to maintain reduction. Open or closed reduction with percutaneous K-wire fixation may be the preferred treatment option for these fracture types. This case report describes successfully managing a rare distal humerus metaphyseal-diaphyseal junctional (MDJ) fracture in a four-year-old child using intramedullary Steinmann wire fixation. A four-year-old male child applied to the emergency service with a swollen elbow. He had a history of trauma 10 days ago. There was a long arm splint on his arm. A displaced distal MDJ fracture of the left humerus was detected on the radiograph. Due to its instability, we preferred surgical management. With a lateral incision, we obtained a successful reduction after manipulation. Subsequently, we achieved the anatomical reduction with three Steinmann pins. We applied two Steinmann pins intramedullary, and the other one crosses from the medial epicondyle and exits the lateral cortex, forming a crossed-pin configuration at the fracture site. We immobilized the extremity for four weeks with a long arm splint. At the end of the fourth week, we removed the Steinmann pins. After removing the wires, we began an active range of motion exercises. The plain X-ray at the two-month follow-up revealed good fracture healing with no residual elbow deformity. The patient could perform a complete elbow range of motion. The case highlights the challenges in treating pediatric distal metaphyseal-diaphyseal humerus fractures, and it demonstrates the effectiveness of this intramedullary Steinmann wire fixation technique in achieving stable fracture reduction and promoting rapid healing in a small child.

Modified application of distal medial tibial locking plate as an alternative for fixation of an extraarticular distal-third diaphyseal humerus fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical management of Extraarticular Distal-third diaphyseal Humerus Fracture (EADHF) poses a dilemma in terms of surgical approach, implant selection and position of the implant due to the availability of various pre-contoured implants and plate configurations. Various studies have described a modified application of anatomic locking plates as a satisfactory method of fixation in the surgical management of EADHF. CASE PRESENTATION: This report discusses the modified application of anatomic Distal Medial Tibial locking Plate (DMTP) as an alternative strategy in fixation of an acute extraarticular distal-third diaphyseal fracture of the humerus in a 45-years-old female patient. Bony union was achieved successfully without any malalignment and the patient showed a full recovery with an excellent clinical and outcome at 2-years follow-up. CONCLUSION: In EADHF, the use of 3.5 mm DMTP is advantageous as it offers rigid fixation by insertion of more number of 3.5 mm locking bicortical screws and stability in both columns. This promotes biological fracture healing, low rate of complication, early return to work with improvement in clinical function. Therefore, we recommend that pre-contoured 3.5 mm DMTP can be successfully used as an alternative fixation choice for the treatment of EADHF.

Early Results of Bridge Plating of Humerus Diaphyseal Fractures by MIPO Technique.

BACKGROUND: Anterior bridge plating with minimally invasive technique in humeral shaft fractures is reported as an acceptable, less traumatic and reproducible procedure by several authors. We have evaluated the clini-cal, radiological, and functional outcome of such fractures in eleven patients, all of which were managed with dynamic compression plates over an average follow-up period of 22 months. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients with humerus shaft fractures managed by anterior bridge plating using the MIPO technique between 2014 and 2016 were included in this series. All cases were treated with closed reduction and 10-12 hole 4.5mm dynamic compression plate fixation over anterolateral aspect in bridging mode using the MIPO technique. The UCLA shoulder and Mayo elbow performance scores were used for assessing shoulder and elbow function. RESULTS: Of the forty patients followed up for a minimum of 18 months in the study, 26 were males and 14 were females. The mean age was 34.3 years (range 20 to 53 years). 24 out of the forty patients (60%) had the dominant side fractured. The mean surgical time was 72.5 minutes (range: 45-100 minutes) and mean radiation exposure was 160 seconds (range: 100-220 seconds). The mean radiological fracture union time was 13 weeks (range: 8-18 weeks). Shoulder function based on the UCLA score was excellent to good in 33 cases (82.5%), fair in 6 cases (15%) and one patient (2.5%) developed infection for which the plate was removed prematurely at the 4th month and the wound was meticulously debrided and then managed conservatively. Road traffic accident (RTA) was the most common mode of injury, found in 27 cases; 12 patients sustained blunt trauma due to a fall; one patient sustained an injury following a direct blow by stick. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The mini-incision anterior bridge technique for humeral shaft fractures gives good functional results and should be considered an effective, cosmetically advanced surgical option in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures. 2. The mini-incision anterior bridge technique is a safe and less method for simple types of humeral shaft fractures when the surgeon is experienced in the technique.