[Special indication for bundle-nailing of the upper arm (author's transl)]

From the beginning of 1974 to the end of 1978, 100 fractures of the shaft of the humerus were treated in the Surgical Clinic II of the Darmstadt Municipal Clinics. 50 of these fractures were treated conservatively, whereas 25 were treated osteosynthetically with a broad A.O. plate (A.O. = Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthese) or D.C. plate, and 25 by means of intramedullary osteosynthesis with bundle nailing, both these groups achieving stability of movement by this treatment. Attention is drawn to the special indication for bundle nailing when treating fractures of the shaft, with particular emphasis on pathological fractures and spiral shaft fractures, sometimes combined with subcapital humerus fractures in elderly persons. Other conditional indications are fractures of the shaft of the humerus in polytraumatised patients and debris shaft fractures. Of the 25 patients treated by means of bundle nailing, 22 were evaluated roentgenologically, and 17 were followed up. The results are explained, giving a detailed description of the specific surgical technique.