Etiological analysis of postoperative nonunion of humeral fractures and study of reoperation strategy

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the risk factors of postoperative nonunion of humeral fractures and clinical efficacy of reoperation. Methods A retrospective analysis of 30 cases of postoperative humeral fractures treated in our department from May 2013 to June 2015 was conducted. There were 18 cases on the left side and 12 cases on the right side. All the patients suffered postoperative nonunion of humeral fractures and achieved fracture healing after reoperation. Results All the incisions achieved primary healing after reoperation. The postoperative follow-up time ranged from 12 to 24 months with an average of 18.5 months. They all achieved bony union without any malunion. Among them, 8 cases had partial dysfunction of elbow joint and 2 cases had myositis ossificans. No infection and fixator loosening or breaking occurred. According to Cassebaum elbow function evaluation criteria, the results were excellent in 20 cases, good in 6 cases and fair in 4 cases with the excellent and good rate being 86.7%. Conclusion Iatrogenic factors are still the main factors leading to fracture nonunion. Reasonable reoperation can cure most of the fracture nonunion. Key words: Humeral fractures; Fracture fixation,internal; Nonunion; Risk factors