Marchetti nailing of humeral shaft delayed unions

The purpose of this study is to present the results of Marchetti nailing in humeral shaft delayed unions. Fifteen humeral shaft delayed unions were treated with the Marchetti nail. The average age of patients was 52.3 years. All had been treated initially by conservative methods. Delay from trauma to surgery averaged 4.8 months. The nailing technique was retrograde, and reaming of the fracture focus was always performed. Bone graft was not added. Thirteen patients achieved union, in an average of 3.3 months. Two patients require further surgery to gain union. Shoulder and elbow motion was excellent in 10 patients, moderate in four and poor in one. The functional result was excellent in nine patients, good in two, fair in two, and poor in two. Marchetti nailing seems to be an acceptable alternative for humeral shaft delayed unions.