Acute Operative Management of Humeral Shaft Fractures: Analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank.

Advances in surgical techniques have increased the role of early surgical intervention for isolated diaphyseal humerus fractures. The goal of this study was to investigate the following: (1) the current trend of operative treatment; (2) factors that affect surgical treatment; and (3) the effect of surgical fixation on length of stay, complication rates, and hospital disposition. The National Trauma Data Bank from 2004 to 2006 was analyzed. All patients with multiple injuries that included closed humeral shaft fractures and all patients with isolated humeral shaft fractures were included. Of 2312 total closed humeral shaft fractures, 1662 had a documented procedure code. A total of 47% of patients underwent surgical treatment. Surgically treated patients were on average 3.5 years older than those treated nonoperatively (P=.007). A total of 49% of white patients underwent early surgery vs 39% of nonwhite patients (P<.001). The operative group had a mean Injury Severity Score of 8.33 vs 9.0 in the nonoperative group (P=.04). Treatment at a Level I trauma center decreased the likelihood of surgery compared with treatment at a non-Level I trauma center (45% vs 57%, P<.001). Mean length of stay was 4.6 days for operative treatment vs 3.9 days for nonoperative treatment (P=.02). Of patients who underwent surgery, 78% were discharged to home compared with 69% of those managed nonoperatively (P<.001). Acute operative management of humeral shaft fractures correlated with a lower Injury Severity Score, a decreased length of stay, and less rehabilitation placement. Furthermore, older patients, white patients, and patients treated at a non-Level I trauma center were more likely to undergo acute surgical management. The reasons for these disparities are unclear and warrant further investigation.