Abstract: Background and Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the outcomes and complications of diaphyseal fracture of humerus treated with locking compression plates (LCPs) and limited-contact dynamic compression plates (LCDCPs).
Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with fractures of the shaft of the humerus, treated with plate osteosynthesis (15 patients-LCP & 15 patients-LCDCP) Clinical and radiological assessments were made at 6wk, 3 month & 6 month. Primary outcome measures like blood loss, operative time, mobilisation, time to fracture union, union rate and secondary outcome measures (functional outcome and complications) were compared between both groups. The ULCA scoring system and Mayo elbow performance index (MEPI) were used to assess shoulder and elbow functions, respectively.
Results: There was no significant difference found between the two groups in terms of primary outcome measures. There was no significant difference found between the two groups regarding mean ULCA score (p = 0.186) and mean MEPI sore (p = 0.204). In terms of complications, no significant difference was found between the two groups. The fractures had united at an average of 19 weeks in the LCP group & 16.57 weeks in the LC-DCP group (p-value=0.151). There was no significant difference found between the two groups in terms of superficial infection, deep infection, radial nerve palsy, mean blood loss, mean surgery duration (p >0.05). There were two cases of delayed union (>20 wks) in the LCP group & 1 case in the LCDCP group. 1 patient in both the group had nonunion (p=1.000).
Conclusion: Osteosynthesis by plating (LCP/LCDCP) is a good option for diaphyseal fracture of humerus as this results in stable fixation, direct visualization, protection of the radial nerve, and sparing of the adjacent shoulder and elbow joint & rapid union because of reduced bone-plate contact. LCP is more costly than the LCDCP but LCP gives more stable strut & angle stable fixation so it is more useful in osteoporotic bones. Overall results are almost equal in both the groups. There is no significant difference in union, mobilization, hospital stay, blood loss & complication in both the groups. The principle of fracture fixation was more important than plate selection in fractures of the shaft of the humerus.
