“OPEN REDUCTION AND INTERNAL FIXATION OF HUMERAL MID-SHAFT FRACTURE: ANTERIOR VERSUS POSTERIOR PLATE FIXATION”

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: “To compare the outcome of anterior versus posterior plate fixation in open reduction and internal fixation of humeral mid-shaft fracture”. Study design: Randomized Controlled Trial Study p1ace and period: Orthopedic Surgery Department, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal from February 2026 to June 2026. Methodology: All the cases were enrolled from emergency department and randomly assigned two groups. In group-I, plate fixation was done via anterior approach. In group-II, plate fixation was done via posterior approach. Operative time was noted. After 3 months, bone union and ASES score were assessed. All the data was recorded in Performa. Results: In this trial, we observed that the mean age of patients was 40.35 ± 14.6 years in anterior approach group and 38.61 ± 14.26 years in posterior approach group. In anterior approach group, there were 55 (73.3%) males and 20 (26.7%) females. In posterior approach group, there were 41 (54.7%) males and 34 (45.3%) females. Radial nerve palsy was present in 35 (46.7%) cases in anterior approach group while in 46 (61.3%) cases in posterior approach group. The mean operative time for plate fixation via anterior approach was 123.69 ± 32.82 minutes and 143.64 ± 52.71 minutes with posterior approach and mean ASES score was 69.04 ± 11.78 vs. 77.96 ± 13.57 (p<0.05). But union was noted in 90.7% vs. 98.7%, respectively (p>0.05). Conclusion: Posterior approach for plate fixation in humeral mid-shaft fracture is a better technique than anterior approach.