Is Compressive Intramedullary Nailing an Effective Method in Aseptic Humerus Nonunions without Bone Defects?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Treatment of nonunion of humerus continues to be a matter of debate. For this purpose, many treatment methods have been reported. The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to evaluate the results of patients who underwent revision surgery with compressive intramedullary nailing implemented a single type of surgical technique in aseptic humeral nonunions without bone defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data of 15 patients with humerus nonunion, all were treated with compressive intramedullary nailing between 2000 and 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Three patients were hypertrophic and 12 were atrophic types. The mean ages of patients at the surgery was 47.3±18 years. In all cases, maximal bone contact was created between the proximal and distal bone fragments after reaming and debridement, and fixation was performed with compressive intramedullary nailing. Radiological assessment of union was performed based on the RUSHU criteria, and functional outcomes were assessed according to Constant-Murley scoring criteria. RESULTS The ten out of 15 patients were male. The radiological union was achieved at a mean duration of 16.6±2.3 weeks in 14 patients. The average time of follow-up after nonunion treatment was 25.2±8.8 months. Twelve out of 15 patients implemented bone grafting taken form iliac bone with spongiosa obtained via reaming. The functional results were made according to the Constant-Murley score and excellent functional results were obtained in nine patients, good in four patients and poor functional results in one patient. Implant failure was not observed. One patient has had post-operative transient ulnar nerve palsy and another patient developed transient radial nerve palsy. CONCLUSIONS Compressive intramedullary nailing is a useful method that provides excellent union in the surgical treatment of aseptic non-union of the humerus, without bone defects. Key words: intramedullary compressive humeral nail, nonunion, failed intramedullary nailing humerus fracture, fracture fixation, autologous bone grafting.