[Ender nailing of humeral shaft fractures]

From March 1991 to June 1992, thirteen patients with humeral shaft fracture were managed at our hospital with closed reduction and internal fixation with Ender nails. These patients were mainly victims of traffic accidents and falls and had fractures, head injuries, and chest trauma. The follow-up period was more than 1 year. Operations were performed under C-arm guide and, according to the method of Hall and Pankovich, divided into antegrade and retrograde methods. The average operation time was 104 minutes, ranging from 70 to 160 minutes, and blood loss was less than 100 ml. Twelve patients were available for follow-up with 11 unions (91.6%), and the functional results were satisfactory. Complications included 2 nails backing out and one iatrogenic fracture. There was no infection and no radial nerve injury. We concluded that for those humeral shaft fractures with surgical indication, Ender nailing was a good choice. The advantages include a simple procedure, lower infection rate and less nonunions.