OBJECTIVETo investigate the method of medial transposition of the radial nerve in plate fixation of lower segment fracture of humerus.

METHODSFrom January 2010 to December 2013,31 patients with medial transposition of the radial nerve in plate fixation of lower segment fracture of humerus, including 18 males and 13 females ranging in age from 26 to 58 years old with a mean of 37 years old. The time between injury and operation was 1 to 8 days with an average of 4.5 days. According to AO classification, 7 fractures were type A1, 3 fractures were type A2, 6 fractures were type A3, 2 fractures were type B1, 4 fractures were type B2, 2 fractures were type B3, 4 fractures were type C, 3 fractures were type C2. No patients had any signs of radial nerve injury. The results were evaluated with DASH (disability of arm-shoulder-hand) Questionnaire by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) which 0 indicated normal upper extremity function, and 1 to 100 indicated varying degrees of damage to the function of the upper extremties.

RESULTSThere was no neurologic complication or postoperative wound infection in this series. The followed-up period ranged form 8 to 15 months (means 11 months) postoperatively. The clinical outcomes were evaluated with DASH Questionnaire, the score before operation was 76.2±11.8, the final follow-up score was 8.2±7.4, the final follow-up score was significant higher than before operation (P<0.01). The function of the upper extremities recovered satisfactorily.

CONSLUSIONThe method of medial transposition of the radial nerve in plate fixation of lower segment fracture of humerus can avoid iatrogenic radial nerve injury effectively.