Plating of acute humeral diaphyseal fractures through an anterior approach in multiple trauma patients.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the clinical and long-term functional outcomes of humeral diaphyseal fractures treated with acute anterior plating in a trauma population.

DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective cohort analysis with long-term prospective follow-up.

SETTING: Urban, Level I trauma center.

PATIENTS: Ninety-six patients with high-energy fractures of the humeral shaft were treated over a 10-year period.

INTERVENTION: All patients were treated by a standard surgical protocol of open reduction through an anterior approach with small or large fragment fixation in the supine position.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Mechanism of injury, time to union, complications, and range of motion during clinical follow-up were obtained. We also prospectively assessed long-term strength, range of motion, and perceptions of disability using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire.

RESULTS: Mean time to surgery was 5 days (standard deviation, 11 days); 97.5% of patients achieved union in an average of 16.9 weeks (range, 6-56 weeks). Complications included two postoperative infections, two nonunions, and three implant failures. Long-term follow-up (n = 34) averaged 4.75 years (range, 1.4-10.8 years). On average, no significant differences between the injured and uninjured extremities were seen in range of motion at the shoulder and elbow with the exception of shoulder flexion. A modest loss of upper extremity strength in the injured arm was appreciated. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 25.9 (range, 0-79).

CONCLUSIONS: A standard anterior surgical approach with small fragment fixation is a safe and effective treatment for humeral shaft fractures in multiple trauma patients. We show a high union rate and few complications, although a modest loss of function and some perceived disability exists in the long-term.