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A meta-analysis of plate fixation versus intramedullary nailing for humeral shaft fractures

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Orthopaedic Science

A Letter to the Editor to this article was published on 08 December 2013

Abstract

Background

There is a lack of consensus on whether intramedullary nailing (IMN) or plating is superior for humeral shaft fractures.

Methods

In this meta-analysis, we combined data from PubMed, the Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), the Cochrane Library, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (all to Dec 31, 2011). Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two quasi-RCTs including 384 participants were selected and assessed by use of an 11-item scale. Heterogeneity was assessed by use of the standard chi-squared test and the I 2 statistic.

Results and conclusions

The results indicated that two primary outcomes (total number of complications and functional measurement) were significantly better for plate fixation. Significantly lower risk of delayed-union, restriction, impingement of the shoulder, shoulder pain, and re-operation were found for the plating group, which suggested that plating is superior to IMN for humeral shaft fractures.

Level of evidence

Level II; meta-analysis of RCTs and quasi-RCTs; treatment study.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaofeng Wang, Zixian Chen, Yunchao Shao, Yushui Ma, Da Fu & Qing Xia

  2. Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, People’s Republic of China

    Yushui Ma & Da Fu

Authors
  1. Xiaofeng Wang
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  2. Zixian Chen
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  3. Yunchao Shao
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  4. Yushui Ma
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  5. Da Fu
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  6. Qing Xia
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Da Fu or Qing Xia.

Additional information

X. Wang, Z. Chen contributed equally to this work.

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Wang, X., Chen, Z., Shao, Y. et al. A meta-analysis of plate fixation versus intramedullary nailing for humeral shaft fractures. J Orthop Sci 18, 388–397 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-013-0355-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-013-0355-8

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