肱骨远端解剖型锁定接骨板的初步应用

目的 评价新型肱骨远端解剖型锁定接骨板(DHP)的治疗方法及疗效.方法 2008年7月至2009年4月使用DHP治疗且获得随访的肱骨远端骨折22例,男10例,女12例;年龄14～65岁,平均40.2岁;左侧13例,右侧9例.骨折按照AO分型:A型1例;B型6例;C1型2例,C2型1例,C3型12例.均采用切开复位DHP固定;术后无需外固定,第2天开始功能锻炼.所有患者按照Mayo肘关节功能评分(MEPS)及X线片评估疗效.结果 22例患者获得11～20个月(平均15个月)随访.骨折均获愈合,平均愈合时间16周,无内固定失效或骨折再移位.2例患者因肘关节僵硬接受肘关节松解手术,1例患者螺钉进入关节,但对肘关节功能无影响,2例患者内固定突起于皮下致轻微疼痛.22例患者中2例有轻微疼痛,前臂旋转功能同健侧一致,肘关节平均屈伸79°(10～130°),屈曲108°(60°～130°),伸直25°(0～80°).MEPS评分平均91分(60～100分),其中优15例,良5例,中2例,优良率91.0%.结论 DHP对于较高位的肱骨髁上部分粉碎骨折、低位的关节面粉碎骨折,以及合并骨质疏松的肱骨远端骨折均能够达到满意的稳定固定,允许早期功能锻炼.     

外固定架治疗肱骨髁上合并蝶形块的骨折

目的 探讨使用外固定架治疗肱骨髁上合并蝶形块的骨折的疗效.方法 2003年6月至2006年10月采用Orthofix外固定架系统治疗AO分型为12-B1.2型的闭合性肱骨髁上骨折28例,按Tscherne and Lobenhoffer分型:Ⅰ型21例,Ⅱ型7例.桡神经损伤2例,均为不完全损伤.结果 28例患者均获得随访,时间12～54个月(平均28个月).骨折全部愈合,时间3～6个月(平均4.5个月).5例患者术后有针道感染伴有针松动.2例桡神经损伤完全恢复,恢复时间2～5个月(平均3.5个月).肘关节功能采用Morrey and Bryan评分:80～100分(平均97分),肩关节功能采用Constant and Murley评分:85～100分(平均98分).结论 单边外固定架是治疗肱骨髁上骨折(AO分型为12-B1.2型)的一种较好的治疗方法,固定有效可靠,允许早期功能锻炼,疗效确切.     

垂直钢板与平行钢板固定治疗肱骨髁间粉碎性骨折的生物力学比较研究

目的 从生物力学方面比较平行钢板与垂直钢板固定治疗肱骨髁间粉碎性骨折的优缺点,为临床治疗方法的选择提供理论基础. 方法 取3具成人上肢尸体标本(6个),用骨刀将肱骨远端制成T型骨折模型.将同一具尸体的左、右两侧肱骨标本分别行垂直钢板与平行钢板固定.将固定好的标本以5 N/s的速率进行纵向垂直加载,最大加载负荷为2000N,共3次,取其平均值,记录肱骨被压缩时的垂直压缩位移、髁间分离的开口位移、内外髁内部的形变及垂直压缩刚度. 结果 在相同载荷下,应用平行钢板固定的压缩位移、开口位移及内外髁形变均小于垂直钢板固定,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),采用平行钢板固定的轴向压缩刚度大于垂直钢板固定,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05). 结论 平行钢板固定治疗肱骨髁间粉碎性骨折的生物力学性能优于垂直钢板固定.     

尺骨鹰嘴截骨Hobert螺钉固定治疗肱骨远端B3型骨折

目的 探讨尺骨鹰嘴截骨Hobert螺钉固定治疗肱骨远端B3型骨折的手术方法及疗效.方法 16例肱骨远端B3型骨折患者均采用尺骨鹰嘴截骨的方法显露,Hobert螺钉固定骨折,尺骨鹰嘴截骨复位后张力带固定.对手术入路、内固定的使用、术后并发症及手术疗效进行评价.结果 16例均获随访,随访时间6～17个月.骨折全部骨性愈合,愈合时间8～13周.肘关节平均活动范围5°（伸）～143°（屈）.参照Cassebaum标准：优10例,良4例,可2例,差0例,优良率87.5％.结论 尺骨鹰嘴截骨Hobert螺钉、张力带固定治疗肱骨远端B3型骨折暴露充分,固定可靠,适合早期功能锻炼,可获得良好的关节功能,是一种较为理想的治疗方法.     

肱骨近端骨折经皮穿针固定的生物力学研究

目的 通过生物力学实验研究探讨应用经皮穿针固定治疗肱骨近端骨折时固定针构型对骨折稳定性的影响,探讨临床工作中如何进一步改善骨折固定的生物力学稳定性。方法将18对36根新鲜冷冻成人肱骨干标本配对分为4小组,实验前对所有肱骨干标本进行双能骨密度检查以排除骨质情况对实验结果的影响。按统一标准制作肱骨近端2部分外科颈骨折模型,之后使用4根直径2．5mm螺纹针对2个小组进行统一方式的平行构型固定,对另外2小组进行统一方式的扇形交汇构型固定。应用Instron5566生物力学试验机对尸体标本进行生物力学测定,对比两种构型的抗剪切应力强度与抗扭转应力强度。结果 在抗剪切应力方面两种固定构型没有明显的区别(P=0．73),而在抗扭转应力方面平行构型固定则明显优于扇形交汇构型固定(P=0．04)。结论 通过生物力学实验的结果,我们认为在条件允许的情况下尽可能使用平行构型的方式穿针固定,若无法进行平行的固定或不能保证平行固定针之间的距离在1cm以上时,则仍应采用扇形交汇构型的固定方式进行固定。     

Internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures using the T2-proximal humeral nail

Introduction

Surgical management of proximal humerus fractures remains controversial and there is an increasing interest in intramedullary nailing. Created to improve previous designs, the T2-proximal humeral nail (PHN) (Stryker^®) has been recently released, and the English literature lacks a series evaluating its results. We present a clinical prospective study evaluating this implant for proximal humeral fractures.

Method

We evaluated the functional and radiological results and possible complications. Twenty-nine patients with displaced fractures of the proximal humerus were treated with this nail. One patient was lost right after surgery and excluded from the assessment. Eighteen patients were older than 70 years.

Results

There were 21 fractures of the proximal part of the humerus and 7 fractures that also involved the shaft; 15 of the fractures were two-part fractures (surgical neck), 5 were three-part fractures, and 1 was a four-part fracture. All fractures healed in a mean period of 2.7 months. There was one delayed union that healed in 4 months. One case of avascular necrosis of the humeral head was observed (a four-part fracture), but remained asymptomatic and did not require further treatment. In one case a back-out of one proximal screw was observed. A final evaluation with a minimum 1 year follow-up was performed by an independent observer; in 18 patients, the mean Constant score was 65.7 or 76.1% with the adjustment of age and gender; in 19 patients, the mean Oxford Shoulder Score was 21.7. The results obtained with the T2-PHN nail indicate that it represents a safe and reliable method in the treatment of two- and three-part fractures of the proximal humerus. The proximal fixation mechanism diminishes the rate of back-out of the screws, a frequent complication described in the literature. Better functional results were obtained from the patients younger than 70 years, but these were not statistically significant.

     

单边外固定器在肱骨干下1/3骨折治疗中的应用

目的 回顾分析单边外固定器治疗肱骨干下1／3骨折的效果。方法 1997年10月～2002年10月33例肱骨干下1／3骨折，年龄18～70岁(平均31岁)，其中横形骨折3例、斜形骨折1例、螺旋形骨折9例．粉碎性骨折20例。15例行切开复位、有限内固定结合外固定器固定，10例行切开复位、外固定器固定，8例行闭合复位、外固定器固定。9例桡神经损伤者均行桡神经探查。结果 随访8～24个月(平均18个月)。骨折愈合时间11～22周，平均14周。术后有2例桡神经损伤，与术前的9例桡神经损伤在最后一次随访时均恢复功能。肘关节功能恢复正常。有7例外固定针孔感 染，经口服抗生素及针道清创后好转。结论 单边外固定器结合切开复位、有限内固定，在肱骨干下1／3骨折治疗中具有独特的价值及良好的效果。     

Nonunited humerus shaft fractures treated by external fixator augmented by intramedullary rod

Background:

Nonunion of humeral shaft fractures after previously failed surgical treatment presents a challenging therapeutic problem especially in the presence of osteoporosis, bone defect, and joint stiffness. It would be beneficial to combine the use of external fixation technique and intramedullary rod in the treatment of such cases. The present study evaluates the results of using external fixator augmented by intramedullary rod and autogenous iliac crest bone grafting (ICBG) for the treatment of humerus shaft nonunion following previously failed surgical treatment.

Materials and Methods:

Eighteen patients with atrophic nonunion of the humeral shaft following previous implant surgery with no active infection were included in the present study. The procedure included exploration of the nonunion, insertion of intramedullary rod (IM rod), autogenous ICBG and application of external fixator for compression. Ilizarov fixator was used in eight cases and monolateral fixator in ten cases. The monolateral fixator was preferred for females and obese patients to avoid abutment against the breast or chest wall following the use of Ilizarov fixator. The fixator was removed after clinical and radiological healing of the nonunion, but the IM rod was left indefinitely. The evaluation of results included both bone results (union rate, angular deformity and limb shortening) and functional outcome using the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) rating scale.

Results:

The mean follow-up was 35 months (range 24 to 52 months). Bone union was obtained in all cases. The functional outcome was satisfactory in 15 cases (83%) and unsatisfactory in 3 cases (17%) due to joint stiffness. The time to bone healing averaged 4.2 months (range 3 to 7 months). The external fixator time averaged 4.5 months (range 3.2 to 8 months). Superficial pin tract infection occurred in 39% (28/72) of the pins. No cases of nerve palsy, refracture, or deep infection were encountered.

Conclusion:

The proposed technique is effective in treating humeral nonunion especially in the presence of osteoporosis and short bone segments. The inclusion of intramedullary rod as internal splint improves stability of fixation and prevents refracture after fixator removal.     

External fixation with bone cement implantation for open calcaneal fractures: A case series

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate patients who had open reduction, external fixation and bone cement implantation of open calcaneal fractures.MethodsThe records of 14 patients with open calcaneus fractures from January 2015 to January 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical evaluations consisting of AOFAS, MFS and EQ-5D VAS scores and radiological evaluations consisting of the height, width and length of the calcaneus as well as Bohler’s and Gissane angle performed at 3 months, 1 year and the last follow-up postoperatively. Time to surgery, wound complications were recorded.ResultsOur study sample consisted of 9 males and 5 females with a mean age of 38.5 ± 9.8 years and a mean follow-up of 31.4 ± 7.7 months. The mean period from injury to surgery was 5.4 ± 1.9 days and the mean duration of hospitalization was 13.2 ± 4.5 days. The AOFAS, MFS and EQ-5D VAS scores were 92.5 ± 10.3, 84.1 ± 9.7 and 86.4 ± 15.1 respectively at the final follow-up. The Bohler’s angle increased from (12.9 ± 3.1)° preoperatively to (28.5 ± 6.3)° at the final follow-up (P < 0.001), with the Gissane’s angle from (104.5 ± 9.7)° to (116.4 ± 8.9)° (P < 0.001). One patients (7.1%) developed pin infections and one patient (7.1%) suffered from dorso-lateral hindfoot hypoaesthesia. There was complete fracture healing without secondary loss of reduction in all cases.ConclusionExternal fixation with bone cement implantation is a valid alternative treatment for the management of displaced open calcaneal fractures with a low rate of complications.Level of evidenceIV, retrospective case series.     

Shoulder impairment following treatment of diaphysial fractures of humerus by functional brace

Introduction Treatment of humeral shaft fractures by functional bracing has been reported to be effective in achieving high rate of fracture union and good function of the adjacent shoulder and elbow joints. Since our previous clinical impression indicated an occurrence of shoulder function impairment following this treatment, we investigated the shoulder function in a consecutive series of patients treated by functional bracing for fractures of humeral shaft in order to estimate their residual shoulder function. Materials and methods We followed 15 consecutive patients with humeral shaft fractures treated by functional brace. The mean follow up was 30 months (range 12–57 months); seven patients with midshaft fracture, four patients with proximal third, and four patients with fractured distal third of the humeral diaphysis. All the patients were evaluated by the Constant score of the injured limb in comparison to the contra-lateral not injured shoulder and by the Oxford shoulder score of the injured limb. Results We found that all the fractures were united with mean varus angulation of 13° and with mean angulation in the saggital plane of 9° antecurvatum, Constant scores were significantly lower in the injured shoulders (P < 0.001) and the function of the shoulders in the injured extremities were estimated as having mean Oxford shoulder score of 34 (range 17–54). Conclusions The evaluation of the present series revealed an impaired functional outcome in the shoulders after humeral shaft fracture. Our results indicate that although the fracture union is usually achieved following the functional bracing of humeral shaft fractures, the shoulder function in the injured limb may remain impaired.     

A new modular nail for the diaphyseal fractures of the humerus

Over a period of 5 years, 63 traumatic and eight pathological diaphyseal humeral fractures were treated with a new modular humeral nail. The nail is cannulated, square in shape - with concave sides - and has two different extensions that can be used with either the antegrade or the retrograde approach. Adequate rotational and axial stability is provided without the need for distal locking screws in the majority of fractures, while the need for proximal locking screws during the antegrade procedure is abolished. This study aims to present the ‘Garnavos’ nail and the results of its use, along with proposals and guidelines that should be considered whenever intramedullary nailing is selected for the treatment of diaphyseal humeral fractures.     

Internal fixation of shaft humerus fractures by dynamic compression plate or interlocking intramedullary nail: a prospective,randomised study

Compare the results of internal fixation of shaft of humerus fractures using dynamic compression plating (DCP) or antegrade interlocking intramedullary nail (IMN). Fifty patients with diaphyseal fracture of the shaft of the humerus and fulfilling the inclusion criterion were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Twenty-five patients were managed with closed antegrade interlocking intramedullary nail, and 25 underwent open reduction and internal fixation using dynamic compression plating. The mean age of patients with IMN fixation was 37.28 years (SD 12.26) and 37.72 years (SD 12.70) for those who underwent plating. Road traffic accident was the most common mode of injury in both groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to duration of hospital stay, operative time and blood loss. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of union or complications. The functional assessment at the end of 1 year between the two groups did not show any significant difference in outcome. Antegrade interlocking IMN and DCP fixation are comparable when managing diaphyseal shaft of humerus fractures with respect to union rates and complications. Although shoulder related complications are more in the IMN group, however, it is associated with shorter hospital stay, lesser operative time and less blood loss. This makes interlocking IMN an effective option in managing these fractures.     

可吸收钉治疗肱骨远端关节面骨折56例

肱骨远端关节面骨折在临床较少见,好发于儿童及青少年,因骨折本身的特点及其解剖特点,该部位骨折常被误诊或漏诊以致延误治疗。我院自2005年6月至2007年6月在广泛开展可吸收材料内固定同时,将可吸收钉内固定技术应用于各关节内骨折,特别是肘关节,取得一定疗效,现报告如下。     

Outcomes after plating of olecranon fractures: A multicenter evaluation

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to report the physical and functional outcomes after open reduction internal fixation of the olecranon in a large series of patients with region specific plating across multiple centres.Patients/methodsBetween January 2007 and January 2014, 182 consecutive patients with a displaced olecranon fracture treated with open reduction internal fixation were included in this study. Retrospective review across four trauma centres collected elbow range of motion, DASH scores, hardware complications, and hardware removal. Postoperative visits in the outpatient clinic were at two, six, and twenty-four weeks. After 24 weeks, patients were eligible for hardware removal if symptomatic. All patients were contacted, at least 1 year following surgery, to determine if hardware was removed.Results182 patients (75 women, 105 men) average age 50 (16–89) with 162 closed and 19 open displaced olecranon fractures were treated with one region specific plate. Nineteen were lost to followup leaving 163 for analysis with all patients united. The most common deficiency was a lack of full extension with 39% lacking at least 10° of extension. Hardware was asymptomatic in 67%, painful upon leaning in 20%, and restricted activities in 11% resulting in a 15% rate of hardware removal. Hardware complaints were more common if a screw was placed in the corner of the plate (P = 0.004). When symptomatic, the area of the plate that was bothersome encompassed the whole plate in 39%, was at the edge of the plate in 33%, and was a screw head in 28%. The DASH scores, collected at final follow-up of 24 weeks, was 10.1 ± 16, indicating moderate disability was still present. Patients who lacked 10° of extension had a DASH of 12.3 as compared with 10.5 for those with near full extension, but this was not significant (P = 0.5).ConclusionPlating of the olecranon leads to predictable union. The most common complication was lack of full extension with 39% lacking more than 10°, although this did not have any effect on DASH scores. Overall results indicate that disability still exists after 6 months with an average DASH score of 10.Level of evidenceTherapeutic level III.     

In vitro temperature evaluation during cement augmentation of proximal humerus plate screw tips

Background

The treatment of proximal humerus fractures in patients with poor bone quality remains a challenge in trauma surgery. Augmentation with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement is a possible method to strengthen the implant anchorage in osteoporotic bone and to avoid loss of reduction and reduce the cut-out risk. The polymerisation of PMMA during cement setting leads, however, to an exothermic reaction and the development of supraphysiological temperatures may harm the bone and cartilage. This study addresses the issue of heat development during augmentation of subchondrally placed proximal humerus plate screws with PMMA and the possible risk of bone and cartilage necrosis and apoptosis.

Methods

Seven fresh frozen humeri from geriatric female donors were instrumented with the proximal humerus interlocking system (PHILOS) plate and placed in a 37 °C water bath. Thereafter, four proximal perforated screws were augmented with 0.5 ml PMMA each. During augmentation, the temperatures in the subchondral bone and on the articular surface were recorded with K-type thermocouples. The measured temperatures were compared to threshold values for necrosis and apoptosis of bone and cartilage reported in the literature.

Results

The heat development was highest around the augmented tips of the perforated screws and diminished with growing distance from the cement cloud. The highest temperature recorded in the subchondral bone reached 43.5 °C and the longest exposure time above 42 °C was 86 s. The highest temperature measured on the articular surface amounted to 38.6 °C and the longest exposure time above 38 °C was 5 min and 32 s.

Conclusion

The study shows that augmentation of the proximal screws of the PHILOS plate with PMMA leads to a locally limited development of supraphysiological temperatures in the cement cloud and closely around it. The critical threshold values for necrosis and apoptosis of cartilage and subchondral bone reported in the literature, however, are not reached. In order to avoid cement extravasation, special care should be taken in detecting perforations or intra-articular cracks in the humeral head.     

Helical plate fixation for treatment of comminuted fractures of the proximal and middle one-third of the humerus

When an operative treatment is indicated for comminuted fractures of the proximal and middle one-third of the humerus, plate fixation is one of the better options. However, a long plate must be applied from the lateral aspect of the greater tuberosity to the shaft of the humerus, which requires dissection of the deltoid muscle insertion. We twisted the long plate and fixed it from the lateral aspect of the greater tuberosity to the anterior or antero-medial aspect of the mid or the distal shaft of the humerus preserving the deltoid muscle insertion in nine patients (10 limbs). Eight out of 10 cases involved comminuted segmental fractures of the proximal humeral shaft, the surgical neck, and the greater tuberosity. Tricortical autoiliac bone graft was necessary in two patients to restore the neck-shaft angle. All fractures healed uneventfully at 19 weeks on average without additional procedure (range: 14-28 weeks). Shoulder function was evaluated according to Neer's criteria. Three patients were classified as excellent, five satisfactory, and as two unsatisfactory, there was no failure.     

Less invasive percutaneous wave plating of simple femur shaft fractures: A prospective series

In developing nations, fixation of femoral shaft fractures with intramedullary (IM) nails can pose significant challenges. Use of IM implants is commonly limited by availability, funds or patient's physique. Conversely, traditional compression plates are usually readily available at a much lower cost, making bridge plating of femur fractures a frequently used surgical technique. We hypothesised that less invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) of femoral shaft fractures has a similar outcome compared to IM nailing.The study is designed as a prospective case series at a Level 1 university trauma centre. Fifty-seven patients with simple femur shaft fractures (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) type A) were enrolled between April 2001 and December 2005 and followed up for a minimum of 1 year or until fracture union. Primary outcome measures included union rate and time to union. Secondary outcome parameters were hardware failure, malalignment, infection and need for revision surgery.The mean age of the study cohort was 24.7 years. Fifty-four patients sustained associated systems injury. Primary union occurred in 54 patients in an average time of 13 weeks. Two patients presented with implant failure, and one patient displayed signs of delayed union. Six patients developed valgus deformities, whereas five patients displayed external rotation malalignment. One patient developed a superficial wound infection, and another presented with a deep infection.Bridge wave plating represents a safe and efficacious treatment alternative to IM nailing for simple femoral shaft fractures in countries where IM nails are limited by availability, costs and patient's physical characteristics.     

锁定加压钢板联合内侧支撑钢板治疗骨质疏松性肱骨近端粉碎性骨折

目的：探讨肱骨近端外侧锁定加压钢板联合内侧支撑钢板治疗骨质疏松性肱骨近端粉碎性骨折的临床疗效。方法：自2017年5月至2021年12月采用肱骨近端外侧锁定加压钢板联合内侧支撑钢板治疗12例骨质疏松性肱骨近端粉碎性骨折患者,男5例,女7例;年龄55～78岁;骨密度<-2.5 g/cm³;伤后至手术时间2～6 d。Neer分型：Ⅲ型骨折7例;Ⅳ型骨折4例;Ⅵ型1例。观察患者手术并发症及内固定情况,并于术后6个月采用Constant–Murley评分评价肩关节功能。结果：术后伤口Ⅰ期愈合。12例患者均获得随访,时间6～18个月。肱骨头塌陷坏死1例,肱骨头内翻1例,无肩关节撞击、内固定松动等并发症发生。术后6个月Constant-Murley肩关节评分45～90分,其中优6例,良3例,差3例。结论：锁定加压钢板联合内侧支撑钢板固定可有效重建肱骨内侧柱支撑,加强骨折稳定性,术后疗效满意。但因未设立对照组,术后肩关节功能未多次评价,不能动态反应肩关节功能变化。     

经皮微创接骨板技术与髓内钉固定治疗肱骨干骨折的疗效比较

目的 比较经皮微创接骨板(MIPO)技术与髓内钉(IMN)固定技术治疗肱骨干骨折的临床效果.方法 回顾性分析2007年3月至2009年1月收治的52例肱骨干中下段骨折患者临床资料,分别采用闭合复位MIPO内固定(MIPO组)与顺行IMN固定(IMN组).MIPO组27例,男15例,女12例;年龄18～65岁,平均36.7岁;IMN组25例,男16例,女9例;年龄25～63岁,平均39.4岁.记录两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、骨折愈合时间、并发症、肘关节Mayo评分及肩关节Constant评分.结果 所有患者获16～36个月(平均17.8个月)随访.两组患者在手术时间、术中出血量、住院天数、骨折愈合时间及肘关节Mayo评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).MIPO组术后无骨不连与桡神经麻痹等并发症发生;IMN组术后4例发生骨不连,2例出现桡神经麻痹,1例出现内翻畸形,但功能良好.MIPO组患者骨不连发生率低于IMN组,肩关节Constant评分高于IMN组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 MIPO微创内固定技术治疗肱骨干骨折具有创伤小、术中出血量少、骨性愈合快、肩肘功能恢复好等优点,同时能减少医源性桡神经损伤的风险.

Abstract：

Objective To compare clinical outcomes of minimally invasive plating osteosynthesis (MIPO) and intramedullary nail stabilization in treatment of acute humeral shaft fractures. Methods From March 2007 to January 2009, 52 patients were treated in our department for acute fractures of middle and lower humeral shaft. Twenty-seven were treated with MIPO technique (group A) and 25 with intramedullary nail (group B) . In group A, there were 15 men and 12 women, aged from 18 to 65 years (average, 36. 7 years); in group B, there were 16 men and 9 women, aged from 25 to 63 years (average,39. 4 years). Operation time, amount of blood transfusion, hospital stay, time for union, complications, Mayo scores of the elbow and Constant scores of the shoulder were recorded in both groups and compared statistically. Results The mean follow-up time was 17. 8 months (range, 16 to 36 months) . There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in operation time, amount of blood transfusion, hospital stay, time for union, and Mayo scores of the elbow ( P > 0. 05) . There was no case of postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy or non-union in group A, but there were 4 cases of non-union, 2 cases of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy and one case of varus malunion in group B. Compared with group B, group A showed significant advantages in rate of postoperative non-union and Constant scores of the shoulder functional recovery ( P < 0. 05) . Conclusion In treatment of humeral shaft fractures, MIPO technique has advantages of less operative invasion, quick bone union, satisfactory shoulder functional recovery and low risk of postoperative palsy of the iatrogenic radial nerve.