Intramedullary nailing versus a locking compression plate for humeral shaft fracture (AO/OTA 12-A and B): A retrospective study

Abstract

IntroductionThere has been great progress in surgical techniques for treating humeral shaft fractures over the past few decades. The purpose of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of intramedullary nailing (IMN) and locking compression plate (LCP) for humeral shaft fractures (AO/OTA 12-A and B). HypothesisCompared with LCP, better therapeutic effects could be obtained with less invasive IMN. Materials and methodsPatients with a humeral shaft fracture who received anterograde IMN or LCP fixation in our institution from December 2011 to June 2016 were reviewed in this study. They were divided into two groups according to the different fixation methods: Group A (IMN) and Group B (LCP). The surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications of the patients were reviewed. Fracture healing was evaluated by radiographs performed at each follow-up. The functional outcome was assessed by the DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) scoring system at the final follow-up. ResultsThirty-four patients in Group A and forty-six patients in Group B were included in this study. Mean incision length and blood loss in Group B were greater than those in Group A (p<0.001). The average surgical times were 118.53minutes in Group A and 128.91minutes in Group B (p=0.114). The mean DASH scores were 23.76±16.78 in Group A and 22.37±15.18 in Group B (p=0.609). The complication rates were 8/34 in Group A and 7/46 in Group B, respectively (p=0.887). DiscussionThe study hypothesis was partially confirmed. Although IMN was a less invasive technique, similar therapeutic results were obtained for humeral shaft fractures (AO/OTA 12-A and B) fixed with two surgical methods. Levels of evidenceIII, retrospective comparative study.