The Clinical Results in Compression Plate Fixation with Autogenous Cancellous Bone Graft for Humerus Diaphyseal Nonunion

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: A The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of compression plating and autogenous iliac bone graft in the management of humeral diaphyseal nonunion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients who underwent the surgical treatments between May. 1998 and May. 2002 were included in this study. Nine of them are males and the others are females. The average age of them, when they was on operation, was 45 years. The symptoms lasted 23 months on average. They have been followed up for 33 months at an average. Treatment of nonunion consisted of resecting the atrophic nonunion, shortening the bone, apposing bleeding diaphyseal surface. Rigid fixation was then achieved using a compression plate and autogenous bone graft. RESULTS: Solid bony union was achieved in all patients. In one patient, the bone was not healed at the first operation of plating and autogenous bone graft, but achieved union after the use of intramedullary nailing. In another patient, because of infected nonunion, we achieved union after several surgical debridement and stabilization by internal fixation. CONCLUSION: This study documents that compression plate fixation with autogenous cancellous bone graft is a viable option with predictable and satisfactory results for humerus diaphyseal nonunion.