[Treatment of fractures of the humerus by intramedullary fixation]

The Hackethal's technique of intramedullaring wiring for humeral fracture represents the immobilisation procedure particularly convenient for this bone. This procedure can be realised without special instrumentation with Kirschner's wires and image intensifior. To allow the approach of the fracture, the patient's position is choosed upon the topography of the lesion. The intramedullaring wiring is always done from down to up. Indications for this procedure are: humeral shaft fracture, humeral neck fracture, and fractures of the shaft and of the neck. During the reduction of the fracture, the immoderate use of a image intensifior seams to be the major risk. Hackethal's technique for medullary wiring was used in 21 patients, only one pseudarthrosis was noted. The fonctionnal recovery of the arm is usually realised in three months.