The purpose of the study was to assess the outcomes of the surgical management of humeral shaft non-unions. Between 2002 and 2010, 23 patients with humeral shaft non-unions underwent revision surgery. Nine were initially treated non-operatively, 11 with a plate, 1 with screws and 2 with an intramedullary nail. In previously operated patients with aseptic non-unions single stage revision was performed, while septic non-unions underwent a two stage revision. Revision stabilisation was by single or double plate fixation +/− external fixator, depending on bone loss and bone quality. Augmentation of fixation was with iliac crest bone graft in all cases. Data collected from the case notes and radiographs included: smoking habits, type and site of non-union, bone loss, infected or not, organism isolated, definitive stabilisation, augmentation used, post operative complications, further surgical interventions and time to radiological union.Aim
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