Abstract
We reviewed eight patients with humeral shaft fractures treated by Ender nailing from 1998 to 2002. The average follow-up period was 16 months (range; eight to 26). There were four males and four females. The age of the patients ranged from 16 to 56 years (average; 31 years). The patients were placed in the supine position under general anesthesia and retrograde technique was used. Except for one patient, functional brace was applied two weeks after operation to inadequate fixation. Union was obtained in all eight patients, five were transverse (type A3) and functional results in the shoulder and elbow were good in daily life. Fastening the eyelet of the nails to the bone with 0.8-millimeter wire eliminates complications caused by nails backing out. Ender nailing for humeral shaft fractures is useful especially in transverse fractures.
