The Therapeutic Effect Of Locking Compression Plate For The Treatment Of Complex Fractures Of Humeral Shaft

Objective A retrospective study on investigating the therapeutic effect of Locking Compression Plate for the treatment of complex fractures of humeral shaftMethods From June 2006 to April 2010,16 patients with either complex humeral shaft fractures or non-union of humeral shaft fractures were treated with LCP.14 were male.2 were female, aged from 18 to 52, mean age 38.2.9 cases for right fractures of humeral shaft,7 cases for left. By AO/ASIF classification, among the 10 cases of fresh fracture,3 cases type A2,1 case type B1,2 cases typeB2,2 cases type C1,1 case type C2, 1 case type C3. The remain 6 cases were of nonunion. Time from injury to the last surgery was 4 to 50 months, with an average of 18.2 months.3 cases combined with ipsilateral radial nerve injury; 4 cases combined with fractures of the ipsilateral forearm; 1 case combined with other fractures,2 cases of postoperative refracture after fixation of ipsilateral humeral shaft fracture. The postoperative functions of shoulder and elbow were evaluated by Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form(ASES) and Mayo elbow score standards.Results All patients were healed in stageâ… . Of the 14 patients who were followed up for 7 to 35 months, in average of 15.4 months,13 healed after 6 to 35 weeks,9.8 weeks for healing in average. However, there was 1 case of nonunion, but the fixation was strong. According to ASES, the shoulder function scored 77 to 100 points, with the average of 94.4 points,92.9% of good rate. For Mayo score standard, the elbow function scored 80 to 100 points, with the average of 97 points,100% of good rate.Conclusion1. LCP is an effective method for the treatment of both humeral shaft fractures and nonunion2. Front minimally invasive approach to humeral shaft is safe, no need to expose the radial nerve3. Lateral plate fixation apply to the Upper humeral shaft fractures, while Front plate fixation to the Mid-humeral shaft fractures, Posterior plate fixation to the Lower humeral shaft fractures4. For non-union of humeral shaft, strong plate fixation combine with the bone grafting is the first choice. It is not recommended to intramedullary nail.