Comparative Analysis of the Result of Minimally Invasive Anterior Plating and Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in Humerus Shaft Simple Fracture

Ko, Sang Hun; Choe, Chang Gyu; Lee, Ju Hyung

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This retrospective comparative study aims to evaluate the surgical outcomes and complications of two surgical methods for simple fractures of the humeral shaft; minimally invasive anterior plating and open reduction combined with internal fixation.
METHODS
A total of 26 patients with humeral shaft simple fractures, who had surgery between June 2009 and September 2013 and were followed-up at least 12 months, were included in our analysis. They were divided into two groups; group 1 comprised of 12 patients who underwent minimally invasive anterior plating and group 2 comprised of 14 patients who underwent an open reduction and internal fixation. The clinical outcomes, radiological results, and complications were compared and analyzed.
RESULTS
We found that bone union was achieved in all patients, and the mean union periods were 20.7 +/- 3.34 and 20.3 +/- 3.91 weeks for groups 1 and 2, respectively. In most patients, we found that shoulder and elbow functions were recovered. At 12 months post-operation, we found that the Korean Shoulder Scoring system, the University of California at Los Angeles score and Mayo elbow performance score were 91.4 +/- 7.97, 33.4 +/- 1.15, and 90.8 +/- 2.23 for group 1, and 95.2 +/- 1.53, 33.3 +/- 1.43, and 90.17 +/- 1.85 for group 2. In terms of complications, we found that 2 patients had radial nerve palsy after open reduction and internal fixation, but all cases spontaneously resolved within 6 months. Complications such as infection and loss of fixation were not reported.
CONCLUSIONS
Both minimally invasive anterior plating and open reduction with internal fixation produced satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of simple fractures of the humeral shaft.