The ideal treatment of acute fractures of the humeral shaft remains controversial. The most humeral shaft fracures were treated conservatively and was successful.
However, in the event of failure of closed reduction, open fracture, pathologic fracture, multiple associated injuries and old age, the necessity of operative method tends to increase.
The retrospective review was undertaken of 46 patients with humeral shaft fractures treated with the use of Ender nails or plates at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Maryknoll hospital from Aug. 1987to Jul. 1993.
@ES The findings were as follows:
@EN Open reduction and internal fixation with plate provides accurate anatomical reduction and early joint motion.
2. Added autogenous bone graft shortens the average bony union time.
3. Closed intramedullary Ender nailing can be performed safely and effectively in selected cases of the humeral shaft fractures and the results of treatment in all were satisfactory, though there were 2 cases of delayed union.
4. Two to three Ender nails having proper length are recommended to be used to bring successful results.
5. In the cases of Ender nailing, we must try to search for methods which increase compression force acting on fracture site and if possible, it leads more satisfactory resutls.
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