Screwed Plate Treatment for Diaphyseal Fractures of Humerus: Case of 15 Patients

Abstract

Therapeutic arsenal for humeral diaphyseal fractures is huge. It ranges from non-operative treatment to various osteosynthesis techniques by exofixation or endofixation. The goal of our study is to determine the place of screwed plate on diaphyseal fractures of the humerus. We gathered 15 cases of humeral diaphyseal fractures treated by screwed plate out of 106 (14%). The average age of our patients was 37.13 years. The fracture was isolated in six (6) cases and associated with other fractures of 9 patients. The site of the fracture line was at the middle third in 73.3% of cases. The line was transversal in 53.3% of cases, oblique in 20% and comminuted in 6.7% of cases. The average operating time was 13.2 days. All of our patients were treated by dynamic compression plates (DCP). Consolidation was obtained in all of patients over an average time of 74 days. The mean evaluation follow up is 22.2 months. Results, according to the STEWART and HUNDLEY score, were judged excellent in 93.3% of patients. The scar was unaesthetic in 33.3% of cases. Three complications noted were mal union, radial nerve palsy and the infection of the operating site. Osteosynthesis by screwed plate of humeral diaphyseal fractures, though appropriate for specific fractures, gives good clinical results.