Plate fixation or intramedullary fixation of humeral shaft fractures

Figures & data

Study characteristics

Study	Methods ^a	Participants	Interventions	Outcomes
Bolano et al. 1995 (abstract)	RCT	28, gender unclear	Open reduction internal fixation with DCP or rigid IMN	non-union, shoulder ROM, implant removal
Chapman 2000	RCT	84, 51 male, 33 female, mean age DCP 34 and IMN 33	Open reduction internal fixation with DCP or rigid IMN	infection, malunion, non-union, nerve injury, elbow and shoulder pain, elbow and shoulder ROM, hardware requiring removal
McCormack 2000	RCT	44, 28 male, 16 female, mean age DCP 49 age IMN 40	Open reduction internal fixation with DCP or rigid IMN	infection, non-union, implant failure, nerve injury, impingement
Changulani 2007	RCT	47, 39 male, 8 female, mean age DCP 35 and IMN 39	Open reduction internal fixation with DCP or rigid IMN	infection, non-union, implant failure, nerve injury

^aRCT: Randomized controlled trial

Figure 1.  Flow chart

Figure 2.  Forest plot for primary outcome: total complication rate.

Figure 3.  Forest plot for secondary outcome: non-union.

Figure 4:  Forest plot for secondary outcome: infection

Figure 5.  Forest plot for secondary outcome: nerve palsy.

Figure 6.  Forest plot for secondary outcome: re-operation.

Bolano LE, Iaquinto JA, Vasicek V Operative treatment of humerus shaft fractures: A prospective randomized study comparing intramedullary nailing with dynamic compression plating. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1995.

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Chapman JR, Henley MB, Agel J, Randomized prospective study of humeral shaft fracture fixation: intramedullary nails versus plates. J Orthop Trauma 2000; 14(3):162-6.

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McCormack RG, Brien D, Buckley RE, Fixation of fractures of the shaft of the humerus by dynamic compression plate or intramedullary nail. A prospective, randomised trial. J Bone Joint Surg (Br) 2000; 82(3):336-9.

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Changulani M, Jain UK, Keswani T. Comparison of the use of the humerus intramedullary nail and dynamic compression plate for the management of diaphyseal fractures of the humerus. A randomised controlled study. Int Orthop 2007; 31(3):391-5.

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