Treatment of Delayed or Nonunion of Humeral Shaft Fractures

Jung, Sung Taek; Moon, Eun Sun; Hong, Dae Yeun

Abstract

For the nonunion of humeral shaft, there have been many methods of treatment. We are aimed to analyse the causes of nonunion of humeral shaft fracture and present the direction of treatment. We reviewed total 21 cases which were diagnosed as delayed or nonunion of humeral shaft and analysed the causes. l. Initial method of treatment was surgical in 19 out of 21 cases. Among these 19 cases, 14 cases were operated with internal fixation with plate and screw. 2. The most common cause of nonunion was inadequate internal fixation in 26 cases(81%) in which were unstable fixation in 13 cases, choice of inadequate internal fixator in 11 cases, and failure of operative technique in 2 cases. Other causes were distraction between fracture fragments in 4 cases(13%) and open comminuted fracture in 2 cases. 3. Eighteen cases of established nonunion due to inadequate internal fixation were treated by rigid fixation with longer and broader plate and bone graft, and 1 case interlocking IM nailing, 1 case Ender nailing and 1 case bone graft only. 4. Union was obtained in all cases at least in 5 months. And there were no specific complications. In conclusion, surgeons should contemplate the operative indication and principles in primary treatment. In treatment of nonunion, surgeons should treat by more longer and broder internal fixator and additional bone graft.