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Several factors contribute to acute operative management of humeral shaft fractures
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Lower Injury Severity Score, a decreased length of stay and less rehabilitation placement were correlated with acute operative management of humeral shaft fractures, according to study results.
Researchers analyzed the National Trauma Data Bank from 2004 to 2006 and identified 2,312 patients with closed humeral shaft fractures, among whom 1,662 had a documented procedure code. The researchers grouped the humeral shaft fractures as having received operative or nonoperative management, and factors including age, sex, race, length of stay, Injury Severity Score and mechanism of injury were analyzed. Additionally, univariate and subgroup analysis of patients with isolated humeral shaft fractures were performed.
Samir Mehta
Results showed 47% of patients underwent surgical treatment, and patients who were surgically treated were 3.5 years older, on average, compared with patients who were treated nonoperatively. Additionally, mean length of stay was longer for patients who underwent operative treatment at 4.6 days compared with 3.9 days for nonoperative treatment.
According to study results, 49% of patients who underwent early surgery were white vs. 39% nonwhite patients. Study results also showed the mean Injury Severity Score was 8.33 for the operative group and 9 for the nonoperative group.
The likelihood of surgery decreased among patients treated in a Level 1 trauma center, according to the researchers, and 78% of patients who underwent surgery were discharged home vs. 69% of patients treated nonoperatively. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Matuszewski reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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