Effect of locking compression plate combined with scaled cancellous bone graft on postoperative nonunion of humeral shaft fracture / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the effect of locking compression plate (LCP) combined with scaled cancellous bone graft on postoperative nonunion of humeral shaft fracture. METHODS: A total of 19 cases with postoperative nonunion of humeral shaft fracture were collected from Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital, Xiangnan University between August 2005 and January 2009. There were 12 males and 7 females, aging 28-59 years with the mean age of 36 years. All patients were treated with LCP fixation combined with scaled cancellous bone graft. The key points of the operation were as follows beck-median or lateral approach, protection of the radial nerve and ulnar nerve, removal of the cicatrix, reopening of humeral canal, and limited periosteum striping. For minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique, length of LCP was appropriate, 3-4 locking screws at least were used on either stump, and double cortices were penetrated with locking screws and treated with scaled cancellous bone graft. RESULTS: All the fractures healed with a mean period of 7.2 months (from 6 to 8 months). Two cases showed temporary radial nerve palsy after the operation, which gradually recovered 3 and 6 weeks, respectively after appropriate treatment. Shoulder and elbow functions were somewhat impaired in 7 cases, but the dysfunction could not influence daily living. Infection, screw loosening, blade plate breakage, and other complications were not found. CONCLUSION:The integrity of locking screws and plate prevents screw breakage and plate loosening. The combination of autoallergic cancellous bone graft and scaled decorticating technique can improve healing of humeral shaft fracture.