Locking compression plate versus antegrade interlocking intramedullary nail in treatment of humeral shaft fractures

Abstract

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of locking compression plate versus antegrade interlocking intramedullary nail in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures. Methods 86 cases of humeral shaft fractures treated at our hospital from August, 2014 to August, 2016 were selected as study objects and were divided into a control group and an observation group according to different treatment methods, 43 cases for each group. The control group was treated with locking compression plate and the observation group antegrade interlocking intramedullary nail. The treatment effects were compared compared between the two groups. Results The disappearance time of fracture line and the bone healing time were shorter and the delayed healing rate was lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The scores of pain, function, range of motion, and anatomical position were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group; the comprehensive score of the observation group was (77.67 ± 14.34), which was significantly higher than that of the control group (52.34±11.58) (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications was 9.30% in the observation group and was 32.56% in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Antegrade interlocking intramedullary nail in the treatment of humeral shaft fracture is effective and safe and can promote fracture healing, improve the patients’ shoulder joint function, and reduce the postoperative complications, so it is worth being clinically generalized. Key words: Locking compression plate; Interlocking fixing surgery; Humeral fracture; Curative effect; Safety