Curative effect of invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis technique combined with locking plate for segmental fractures of the humeral shaft

Abstract

Eleven patients with segmental fractures of the humeral shaft were treated with invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (IPPO) technique combined with locking plate from June 2012 to November 2015. The patients were followed up for 6-18 months with an average of 11 months. All fractures were healed. There were no axillary nerve injury, wound infection, radial nerve palsy, internal fixation loosening, delayed union, nonunion and humeral head necrosis among all patients. The Constant-Murley function score was 86.5±2.2 at the last follow-up. The Neer shoulder function scores were excellent in 7 cases, good in 3 cases and fair in 1 case. The patients obtained good shoulder function. The results suggest that IPPO technique combined with locking plate to treat segmental fractures of the humeral shaft has the advantages of less trauma, early functional exercise and early functional recovery. Key words: Humeral fractures; Fracture fixation, internal; Bone plates