[Recent fractures of the humeral diaphysis. Apropos of a continuous series of 200 cases, of which 107 were treated with a hanging cast alone. (Arterial intra-osseous vascularization of the humerus)].

Were reviewed 200 fractures of humeral diaphysis, two cases have been excluded because they were incomplete; 175 patients out of 200 have been reexamined a long time after; 23 have not been reexamined but held a sufficient follow up. Most of the transversal fracture were met among young adults (56 per 100 traffic accidents). The intraosseous vascularisation was studied elucidating partly the greatest frequency of pseudarthrosis in the part 1/3 middle-1/3 inferior especially after exaggerated periostal elevation. Among 107 cases treated by hanging cast were noted 4 pseudarthrosis, 12 shoulder's stiffnesses. Traction or external fixation were rarely useful (comminuted fractures, burns). Surgical procedures were rarely necessary because this type of fracture usually united with good result after conservative treatment. The outcomes of 40 osteosynthesis were examined and non-unions were noted. Vascular (4 out of 200) and nervous (29 out of 200) complications were also noted.