Delayed and non-union of the humeral diaphysis--compression plate or internal plate fixator?

In a retrospective study, two groups of patients with delayed or non-union of the humeral diaphysis were compared. In group A, a 4.5-mm low-contact dynamic compression plate (LCDCP) was used for internal fixation and in group B, an internal plate fixator with locked screws was used. In all patients autologous bone grafting was performed. Group A consisted of 14 patients (mean age 38.9 years) and group B consisted of 19 patients (mean age 54.3 years). The mean duration of the delayed or non-union was 9.3 months (range 3-26 months) in group A and 24.8 months (range 3-216 months) in group B. In group A an average of 1.1 (range 0-2) previous operations had been performed, and in group B an average of 1.6 (range 0-4). One primary nerve palsy was diagnosed in group A and six in group B. Although the patients of group B were older, had longer-lasting non-unions, more previous operations and more severe initial injuries, only in group A was there a hardware failure due to osteoporosis which required re-osteosynthesis. All other patients showed bony consolidation without further operations. The LCDCP and the internal plate fixator both showed high consolidation rates, but we feel that the internal plate fixator may be the more reliable implant, especially in patients with poor bone stock.