OUTCOME OF ELASTIC INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING IN OPEN DIAPHYSEAL FRACTURES OF THE HUMERUS IN ADULTS

Faaiz Ali Shah; Aimal Sattar; Naeem Ullah; Shams Ur Rehman

doi:10.46903/gjms/22.4.suppl.1872

OUTCOME OF ELASTIC INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING IN OPEN DIAPHYSEAL FRACTURES OF THE HUMERUS IN ADULTS

Faaiz Ali Shah, Aimal Sattar, Naeem Ullah, Shams Ur Rehman

Abstract

Background: Choosing the best treatment for open diaphyseal humerus fractures with soft tissue injury is a challenge. Open humerus fractures are conventionally treated with uniplanar external fixator in adults. Closed retrograde titanium elastic intramedullary nailing is a relatively new but an effective and safe alternative to treat open diaphyseal humerus fractures. The objective of our study was to determine the functional and radiological outcome of open diaphyseal humerus fractures treated with closed retrograde titanium elastic intramedullary nailing.

Materials & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Orthopaedic Division Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar Pakistan from 5th July 2024 to 20th November 2024. All patients with open diaphyseal humerus fractures fulfilling the inclusion criteria were treated with two closed retrograde titanium elastic intramedullary nailing under image intensifier. Radiological outcome was assessed with fracture healing on X-rays while functional outcome was assessed with Stewart and Hundley criteria and graded as excellent, good, fair and poor outcome

Results: We treated 35 patients. The mean age was 42±2.5 years. Male patients were 31(88.57%) and female were 4(11.42%). Radiological union was achieved in 32(91.42%) patients in an average 14.2±3 weeks time. Excellent functional outcome was achieved in 20(57.14%) patients, good in 9(25.71%), fair in 3(8.57%) and poor in 3(8.57%) patients. Younger patients(<40 years) achieved healing earlier than elderly patients(p=0.02).Transverse mid shaft Gustilo Anderson type I and II fractures achieved earlier union than other types(p=0.002).

Conclusion: Open diaphyseal humerus fractures treated with retrograde titanium elastic intramedullary nailing in adults achieved fracture union with excellent to good functional outcome in majority of our patients.

Keywords

Humerus; Fracture; Retrograde; Titanium; Nailing; Union.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46903/gjms/22.4.suppl.1872