Intramedullary nailing or compression plates for humeral shaft fractures in adults: A systematic review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2006

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy and complication rate of intramedullary nailing versus compression plate in the treatment of adult humeral shaft fracture. Methods: We searched the specialized trials register of The Cochrane Collaboration's Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group, The Cochrane Library (including CENTRAL), MEDLINE (1966 to 2006), EMbase (1980 to 2006), PubMed (1966 to 2006), NRR (http://www.update-software.com/National/), CCT (http://www.controlled-trials.com) and CBMdisc (1979 to July 2006). We also handsearched some Chinese orthopedic journals. Data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently. Randomize controlled trials comparing intramedullary nailing versus compression plate for humeral shaft fracture in adults were included and the quality of these trials was critically assessed. Data analyses were done using The Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 4.2.8. Results: Three randomize controlled trials involving 215 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that intramedullary nailing may increase the re-operation rate (OR=2.68, 95%CI 1.19 to 6.04, P=0.02), pain in the shoulder (OR=13.02, 95%CI 2.23 to 75.95, P=0.004), and the rate of decreased range of motion of the shoulder (OR=18.60, 95%CI 1.01 to 341.83, P=0.05). The rates of no union, infection and iatrogenic radial nerve injury were comparable between intramedullary nailing and compression plate. Meta-analysis was not conducted for the time of union, because the relevant data were not available for the included trials. Conclusions: Further well-designed and large-scale randomize controlled trials are required to determine the effects of intramedullary nailing and compression plate on these outcomes, because the trials available for this systematic review are too few and too small.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine

First Page

705

Last Page

711

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