The unreamed humeral nail--a biological osteosynthesis of the upper arm.

One hundred humeral shaft fractures have been treated by closed retrograde locked intramedullary nailing. The Russell-Taylor nail was used in 58, a Synthes prototype of an unreamed humeral nail in 42 cases. Excellent shoulder function after consolidation has been found in 90%, excellent elbow joint function in 86%. Among four cases of postoperative radial nerve palsy, three fully recovered within three months and one patient needed a secondary exploration. In three cases additional comminution at the fracture site occurred. Interlocking bolt breakage has been seen in three, slight nail migration with no adverse consequences in two cases, an additional supracondylar fracture in one case. Nine patients needed a secondary internal fixation because of disturbed fracture healing. Compared to complication rates and end results in shoulder and elbow function of plate fixation or anterograde nailing in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures, the retrograde locked humeral nail seems to present itself as the better implant for these fracture types. The number of radial nerve palsies is significantly lower than in plate osteosynthesis. A huge advantage compared to plate osteosynthesis is also the biological type of stabilization with minimal invasion of the soft tissues. There is also minimal damage to periosteal and endosteal blood supply.