Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of the humeral shaft

Although conservative management of humeral diaphyseal fractures has shown good results in about 90% of cases [1, 2], there are both absolute and relative indications for surgical treatment, such as polytrauma, open fractures, bilateral fractures, floating elbow, etc [3]. Minimally invasive surgical techniques in diaphyseal fractures of long bones have shown advantages over the open conventional techniques, especially when they preserve the biological media of the fracture focus allowing a better environment for consolidation with fewer complications such as infection and nonunion [3, 4]. These techniques have not been very popular in the humeral diaphysis due to its anatomical complexity and the fear of damaging vital structures.