Effectiveness of vascularized and conventional bone grafting in achieving union in humeral pseudarthrosis

Introduction Humeral fractures comprise from 5 % to 8 % of all fractures. Nonunion rate of humeral fractures is 5.5–8.7% with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) technique and 3–5.6 % with the use of locked intramedullary nailing technique. Its frequent causes are infection, poor vascularity, severe comminution or technical errors. Purpose Analysis of effectiveness of vascularized bone grafting and non-vascularized bone grafting in humeral nonunion and defect treatment. Material and methods Surgical management of 69 patients with humeral nonunion was performed from 2010 to 2017 at a single institution in two groups. Vascularized bone grafts were used in 41 cases and non-vascularized ones in 28 cases. X-rays and CT-scans of all the patients were studied. Results In the vascularized bone grafting group, union was achieved in 36 cases (88 %) after four to 6 months; in non-vascularized bone group union was achieved in 20 cases (71 %) after eight to 12 months. Conclusion In post-traumatic humeral nonunion and bone defects, after two or more failed surgical procedures performed previously, vascularized bone grafting yields more satisfactory results and reduces the total healing time.

Do the Successful Revision Surgery for Humeral Nonunion Solve all the Effects on Health-Related Quality of life? A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background To evaluate the effects of successful revision operation on health quality of life(QoL) and functional outcome in humeral nonunion patients.Methods This retrospective study included 62 patients with humeral nonunion from Northwest China, who were admitted to the Department of Trauma Surgery, Honghui Hospital between March 2013 and September 2019. The following data were retrospectively evaluated: demographic data, clinical data, imaging findings, and treatment methods. The QoL assessment indicators for humeral nonunion patients included the SF-12 mental component summary(MCS) and physical component summary(PCS),brief pain inventory-severity(BPI-S) and brief pain inventory-interference (BPI-I). The mayo elbow performance score(MEPS) was used to assess the elbow function of the patients.Results Successful revision surgery significantly improved the patient's PCS,MCS,BPI-S and BPI-I scores (p<0.001). According to the MEPS criteria, the excellent and good rates were 95.16% in this study. The impact of humeral nonunion on mental health was comparable with the reported impact of stroke and type Ⅱ diabetes (p>0.05).The impact of post-op on physical health was comparable with the reported impact of COPD, silicosis, hypertension, barrentt’s esophagus and lower urinary tract symptoms(p>0.05).Conclusion Humeral nonunion is a devastating chronic medical condition that negatively affects both physical and mental health as well as quality of life. Although the effects of pain in the body can be completely relieved by treatment, the entire medical process may cause everlasting psychological trauma to the patient.

Treatment of atrophic nonunion via autogenous ilium grafting assisted by vertical fixation of double plates: A case series of patients

Objective To investigate the efficacy of the treatment of atrophic nonunion using structural autogenous ilium bone grafting in combination with vertical fixation of double plates. Methods This retrospective study analysed the clinical data from consecutive patients with atrophic nonunion who underwent autogenous ilium grafting in combination with double-plate vertical fixation. The injury type and the bone affected by nonunion, the duration of nonunion and the outcomes following surgery were recorded for all patients. Results The study enrolled 43 patients with atrophic nonunion of the upper and lower limbs: 17 patients with tibial nonunion, 21 with femoral nonunion, four with humeral nonunion and one with radial shaft nonunion. The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 14.5 months (range, 8–28 months). A total of 43 of 43 patients (100%) achieved a healed nonunion fracture without the occurrence of complications such as infection, fracture of internal fixation or pain in the harvesting site. Comprehensive postoperative assessments of bone healing and function were observed to be good and/or excellent in all 43 patients. Conclusion Structural autogenous ilium grafting used in combination with double-plate vertical fixation can provide a stable structural environment for near optimal bone healing in patients with atrophic nonunion.

Surgery tactic in humeral nonunion

Relevance. Humerus fractures comprise 5 to 8% of all. Nonunions are uncommon, although in cases of infection, poorly vascularized beds, and open, segmental, or severely comminuted fractures, secondary bony healing may still be compromised. In cases of decreased blood supply, the choice of a vascularised bone graft seems inevitable. Purpose of study: analysis of effectiveness and choosing indications for Vascularized bone grafts in humeral nonunion treatment. Patients and methods. 41 humeral nonunion surgery performed from 2010 to 2017 at a single institution: Vascularized fibular grafts were done in 38 and vascularized femoral condylar grafts used in 3 cases. ORIF performed in all cases. X-ray and CT-scan used for control in all patients. Results. After vascularized bone grafting union achieved in 36 cases (88%) in 4 to 6 month, with vascularized fibular grafts in 33 cases and with vascularized femoral condylar grafts in 3 cases. Conclusion. Any humeral nonunion case require individual treatment tactics. Using of vascularized bone grafts can be crucial in lack of local healing process and persistent nonunions of the humerus. Conflict of interest: the authors state no conflict of interest Funding: the study was performed with no external funding