Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care, Table of Contents Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care 2003; 11: 64-65DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-42300 Humerus © Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York Treatment of Fractures of the Humerus with External Fixation D. Verettas1 , K. Kazakos1 , C. Boyatzis1 , B. Galanis1 , K. Tsipolitis1 , J. Bourantas1 1Department of Orthopaedics, Regional General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece Recommend Article Abstract Buy Article Abstract Aim: We present a retrospective study of the results of treatment of 42 fractures of the diaphysis of the humerus by means of external fixation. Material and Method: 28 patients were men and 14 women aged from 19-84 years (average 44). 14 of these patients were multiply injured and 4 suffered from metastatic disease. 7 fractures were open and 35 closed. Results: 34 fractures united uneventfully. 5 patients developed delayed union and were treated by removal of the external fixator and application of plates and bone grafts. In one patient the delayed union was treated by locked intramedullary fixation and grafts and in another patient only bone grafts were applied without removal of the external fixation. One patient developed septic pseudarthrosis and the fracture remained un-united despite eradication of the infection. Conclusion: We conclude that the use of external fixation as a final method of treatment of fractures of the humerus can be useful for certain types of patients but in 19 % of our cases the method had to be revised and additional operations performed. Key words Fractures of humerus - external fixation - operative treatment Full Text References References 1 Bennek J. The use of upper limb external fixation in paediatric trauma. Injury. 2000; 31 (Suppl 1) 21-26 2 Hee H T, Low B Y, See H F. Surgical results of open reduction and plating of humeral shaft fractures. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 1998; 27 772-775 3 Mostafavi H R, Tornetta P. Open fractures of the humerus treated with external fixation. Clin Orthop. 1997; 337 187-197 4 Mulier T, Seligson D, Sioen W, van den Bergh J, Reynaert P. Operative treatment of humeral shaft fractures. Acta Orthop Belg. 1997; 63 170-177 5 Norman D, Hamoud K, Ries D, Zinman C. External humeral fixation in war injuries. Harefuah. 1996; 131 310-312 6 Ruland W O. Is there a place for external fixation in humeral shaft fractures?. Injury. 2000; 31 (Suppl 1) 27-34 7 Wisniewski T F, Radziejowski M J. Gunshot fractures of the humeral shaft treated with external fixation. J Orthop Trauma. 1996; 10 273-278 Dr. D. Verettas PO Box 1 29 68100 Alexandroupolis Greece Phone: +30/25 51 03 97 75 Fax: +30/25 51 03 99 90 Email: Quack@otenet.gr
