Distal 3rd Diaphysial Fracture of Humerus Fixed with Dynamic Compression Plate Using Posterior Approach- The Assessment of the Outcome

Objectives: The effectiveness of open reduction and Dynamic Compression Plate (DCP) fixation with or without autogenous bone grafting using the posterior midline approach in the treatment of distal third diaphyseal humeral fractures was assessed.

Methods: For humeral nonunion, comminuted fractures, or early failure of conservative therapies, 33 patients (24 men, 9 women; mean age 37 years; range 20 to 60 years) were operated on. The study was carried out at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka from July 2005 to December 2006.

Results: After an average of 17 weeks, all of the patients had union (range 14 to 26 weeks).There was no deep infection, nonunion, malunion, implant failure, or nerve injury in any of the patients. In two cases, transient radial nerve palsy occurred. Minor infections were seen in four of the individuals. All of the patients were pain-free after surgery.The functional outcome was outstanding in all instances and good in 16 patients, yielding 87 % satisfying results. Functional outcomes increased considerably postoperatively compared to preoperatively (p<0.001). In 20 individuals, the range of motion of the shoulders was great. The range of motion at the elbow was considerable in 21 patients and moderate in seven others. More than three-quarters of the patients (75.8%) experienced no problems. Four patients (12.1%) were infected, and two patients (6.1%) developed iatrogenic radial nerve palsy as a result of the surgery. One patient (3%) had a loose screw, while another (3%) needed blood transfusions owing to extensive bleeding at the donor graft site.

Conclusion: In distal third humeral fractures, open reduction and posterior DCP fixing, with or without autogenous bone grafting, is a safe and effective treatment option, especially when there is no infection or bony or neurovascular damage. Very few study conducted on distal 3rd diaphysial fracture of humerus fixed with DCP using posterior approach, therefore this study conducted to know the assessment of the outcome.