Anterior Bridge Plate Osteosynthesis in Comminuted Fracture Shaft of Humerus in Manual Workers- is it Optimum Choice?

Bridge plate osteosynthesis of fractures by minimal invasion and near acceptable reduction is becoming popular and acceptable entity. Management of humeral shaft fracture has evolved a lot with their pros and cons. Anterior bridge plate osteosynthesis (ABPO) for humeral shaft fracture is pertinent to a minimal invasive procedure, and it has evolved as a new entrant in the surgical techniques. This study was designed to carry out the results and efficacy of ABPO in the comminuted fracture shaft of the humerus in the manual workers.

Study included the closed comminuted fracture of shaft of humerus in skeletally mature patients engaged predominantly in manual works, like overhead sports activity, laborers, and industrial workers. All fractures were managed by either 4.5-mm narrow locking compression plate (LCP) or dynamic compression plate (DCP).The functional outcome for elbow was measured by Mayo's elbow performance score (MEPS) and functional outcome of shoulder was measured by UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles) shoulder score system.

In this study 37 patients were enrolled. Mean duration for satisfactory radiographic union was 12.3 weeks. The mean duration of follow-up period was 14.5 months. In respect to elbow function, the average Mayo elbow score was 92.42 ±2.17 and average UCLA score of shoulder function was 34 ±0.34.

The ABPO is an optimum choice for managing the comminuted fracture shaft of humerus in manual labors. The outcomes are favorable and reproducible with very few risks. Level of evidence: IV