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Volume 6 Issue 2 (February, 2018)

Original Articles

Evaluation of results of non-united humerus shaft fractures treated with external fixator augmented by intramedullary rod and autogenous iliac crest bone graft
Basant Rai1, Jaspal Singh2, Bharat Singla3, Dinesh Kumar3, H.S. Sohal4

Background: Humeral shaft fractures account for approximately 3 percent of all fractures and results in a significant burden to society from lost productivity and income. Management of humeral shaft fractures has historically been largely conservative. These days humeral shaft fractures are usually treated either by plating or by intramedullary nailing which sometimes results in non Union of these frctures. We planned the present study to evaluate the results of non-united humerus shaft fractures treated with external fixator augmented by intramedullary rod and autogenous iliac crest bone graft(ICBG) . Materials & methods: The present study included assessment of results of non-united humerus shaft fractures treated with external fixator augmented by intramedullary rod and autogenous iliac crest bone graft. A total of 20 patients were included in the present prospective study. All the patients underwent operative procedures for the treatment. The patients were allowed to use his/her arm and to do active exercises of all joints. Follow-up X-rays were obtained after very three weeks and then every month until radiographic bone healing and graft incorporation occurred. External fixator was removed after radiological healing of the fracture. All the results were evaluated by ULCA score. All the results were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: A total of 20 patients were included in the present study. The mean age of the patients was 40.15 years. Closed primary fracture occurred in 75% of the cases. Complications occurred in 40 percent of the cases. Satisfactory results were obtained in 85 percent of the patients at the time of final follow-up. Conclusion: The use of external fixation augmented by IM rods together with routine use of ICBG is viable option to treat humeral shaft non-union following failed implant surgery. Key words: External Fixator, Humerus, Intramedullary, Shaft

 
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