[Treatment Results Of Diaphyseal Humerus Open Fractures In Adult: Study Of 16 Cases].

Aim: To evaluate the initial results of our different treatments of open humeral shaft fractures.

Method: This was a retrospective study conductecd in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) over a period of 10 years, involving 16 open humeral shaft fractures. It included 10 men and six women with a mean age of 32.8 years (Extremes: 21 and 61). The skin opening was classified according to Cauchoix and Duparc. Fractures were either treated by trimming followed by a brachial-ante-brachial cast, or treated with a screwed plate or external fixator. Patients were followed according to a strict protocol. Overall results were assessed by Stewart and hundley functional scoring.

Results: At a minimum follow-up of 24 months, all patients had consolidated. There was one case of local infection, three cases of elbow stiffness and four reversible cases of radial nerve palsy. The functional results according to the Stewart and Hundley score were very good in 11 cases, good in four cases and fair in one case, with no poor result.

Conclusion: Depending on the therapeutic indications, the initial results are satisfactory both clinically and functionally.