The role of osteosynthesis in the treatment of fractures of the humerus.

Rigid osteosynthesis is widely indicated in fractures of the humeral diaphysis because it abolishes the need for external immobilisation and thereby facilitates early functional recovery. In simple fractures, osteosynthesis was used according to the principles of the Swiss AO school (rigid fixation in axial compression). In complex fractures we added a homoplastic cortical graft on the opposite side to the plate. A follow-up survey of 74 patients was carried out (minimum 8 months, maximum 10 years). There were two cases of complete paralysis of the radial nerve, which quickly regressed. There was one severe infection which resulted in pseudarthrosis, but this was due to an error of judgement because this was an open fracture with exposure of the fragments. This complication aside, the functional results were excellent, and completely justify this method of treatment.