Release notes on Pediatric humeral shaft

The content has been authored by Anna Clarke (UK) and Dorien Schneidmüller (DE) with Mamoun Kremli (SA) and Fergal Monsell (UK) as editors.

The content on the management of pediatric proximal humerus fractures, first edition, includes a detailed description of the following fracture types and their management.

Simple complete transverse fracture:

• Immobilization with body binder/sling
• Immobilization with splint, brace, or cast
• Antegrade elastic nailing (lateral insertion)
• Retrograde elastic nailing (lateral and medial insertion)
• Retrograde elastic nailing (lateral insertion)
• External fixation
• Open reduction – Compression plating

Simple complete oblique or spiral fracture:

• Immobilization with body binder/sling
• Immobilization with splint, brace, or cast
• Antegrade elastic nailing (lateral insertion)
• Retrograde elastic nailing (lateral and medial insertion)
• Retrograde elastic nailing (lateral insertion)
• External fixation
• Open reduction – Compression plating

Multifragmentary complete fracture:

• Immobilization with body binder/sling
• Immobilization with splint, brace, or cast
• Antegrade elastic nailing (lateral insertion)
• Retrograde elastic nailing (lateral and medial insertion)
• Retrograde elastic nailing (lateral insertion)
• External fixation
• Open reduction – Bridge plating

The following additional material is available for this module.

Approaches:

• Anterolateral approach to the humeral shaft
• Posterior approach to the humeral shaft

Patient preparations:

• Patient preparation in supine position
• Patient preparation in beach chair position
• Patient preparation in lateral decubitus position
• Patient preparation in prone position

Further reading:

• Clinical evaluation
• Radiological evaluation
• Preoperative preparation
• Neurovascular anatomy
• Complications and technical failures
• Management of associated radial nerve injuries

The following videos are available to provide additional content:

• Application of a Gilchrist bandage
• Application of a Sarmiento humeral brace
• Application of a long arm cast