Objective To compare the efficacy of plating versus intramedullary nailing in the treatment of adult humeral shaft fracture. Methods We identified eligible studies in PubMed (1950 to September 2007), MEDLINE (1950 to September 2007), OVID CINAHL (1950 to September 2007), OVID EBM (3rd Quarter 2007), CBMdisk (1978 to June 2007) and CNKI (1981 to June 2007). We also handsearched several Chinese orthopedic journals. Data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing plating versus intramedullary nailing for humeral shaft fracture in adults were included and the quality of these trials was critically assessed. Data analyses were conducted with Stata 10.0. Results Six RCTs involving 425 patients were included, among which the statistical heterogeneity was not significant (Pgt;0.1). Cumulative meta-analyses showed that intramedullary nailing might increase the re-operation rate in studies conducted before the year of 2000 (OR=0.39, 95%CI 0.17 to 0.90, P=0.03), but the difference was not significant in studies conducted after 2000 (OR=0.54, 95%CI 0.27 to 1.08, P=0.08). Intramedullary nailing might increase the incidence of shoulder impingement compared with plating (OR=0.13, 95%CI 0.03 to 0.65, P=0.01). The rates of non-union, deep infection, iatrogenic radial nerve injury and internal fixation failure were similar between plating and intramedullary nailing. Meta-analyses were not conducted for union time, operation time and bleeding (transfusion) volume, because the relevant data were not available from the included trials. Conclusion Intramedullary nailing may increase the incidence of shoulder impingement. The rates of re-operation, non-union, deep infection, iatrogenic radial nerve injury and internal fixation failure are similar between plating and intramedullary nailing. Further well-designed and large-scale randomized controlled trials are required to determine the effects of plating and intramedullary nailing on these outcomes.
Objective To analyse and summarize the diagnosis, treatment, and cl inical effects of talus lateral process fracture. Methods Between February 2001 and March 2009, 21 male patients with an average age of 33.6 years (range, 18-46years) with talus lateral process fractures were treated. Fracture was caused by fall ing from height in 18 cases, by tumbl ing in 2 cases, and by sprain in 1 case. According to Hawkins classification, there were 4 cases of type I, 15 cases of type II, and 2 cases of type III, all being closed fractures. The disease course was from 2 hours to 26 days. In 17 patients whose fracture fragments were more than 1 cm × 1 cm × 1 cm or whose fracture fragments shifting was more than 1 mm, open reduction and internal fixation with AO hollow titanium nails were performed in 14 patients, open reduction and internal fixation with door-shape self-made nail in 1 patient, and open reduction and internal fixation with absorbable screws in 2 patients. In 4 patients whose fracture fragments were less than 0.6 cm × 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm or whose fracture fragments shifting was less than 1 mm, fragments removel was performed in 2 patients, Kirschner pins in 1 patient, and plaster conservative therapy in 1 patient. In patients with l igaments injury, the l igaments was reconstructed during the operation. Results All the incisions achieved primary heal ing. Twenty-one patients were followed up 9.5 months to 8 years. No ankle pain occurred and the range of joint motion was normal after operation. The X-ray films showed that all cases achieved fracture union. And the healing time was from 8 weeks to 14 weeks (10 weeks on average). According toAmerican Orthopeadic Foot amp; Ankle Society (AOFAS) for foot, the results were excellent in 17 cases, good in 3 cases, and moderate in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 95.24%. Conclusion The size and displacement of fracture fragment should be considered first in the treatment of lateral process fracture of talus; in patients who are compl icated by lateral malleolus l igament injury, the l igament should be reconstructed to avoid the chronic non-stabil ity of lateral ankle.