Clinical results and functional outcome of humeral shaft fractures treated with MIPO technique

Abstract

Introduction: The pursuit of anatomical reduction in fracture fixation has been replaced by anatomic alignment and biologic fixation. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) is one such biological method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results and functional outcome of humeral shaft fractures treated with MIPO technique. Material and Methods: A hospital based prospective serial follow up study was conducted. We enrolled 30 patients for our study with displaced humeral shaft fractures, which were fixed by the technique of closed reduction and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO). Patients were followed-up for a period of 6 months. Different parameters were evaluated at follow up visits. Functional evaluation was done by UCLA (University of California & Los Angeles) scoring for shoulder and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) for elbow. Results: 83.33% patients had anatomical alignment at 6 months. 6.67% had less than 5° varus angulation, 10% had less than 5 ° valgus angulation. 5 patients (16.67%) had radial nerve injury. 63.33% patients had excellent UCLA scores at 6 months. Majority of the patients (93.33%) had excellent MEPS scores. Conclusion: Our study supports that MIPO is a decent method of treating humeral shaft fractures but it requires adequate imaging and surgical experience. Optimum arm function is achieved at an early date with better cosmesis. Suitable healing and low infection rates are obtained with MIPO. Risks of iatrogenic nerve injuries are low if appropriate surgical technique is used.