Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40944843›Full record

SynthesisEuropean journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie2025

Elastic intramedullary nailing: a viable solution to stabilise adult humeral diaphyseal fractures? A systematic review.

Jawaad Saleem, Hana Hussain, Alex Trompeter, Duncan Tennent

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Jawaad SaleemTrauma and Orthopaedics Department, Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom. jawaad.saleem@nhs.net.
Hana HussainSt George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
Alex TrompeterTrauma and Orthopaedics Department, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
Duncan TennentTrauma and Orthopaedics Department, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeConservatively managed diaphyseal humeral fractures have demonstrated higher non-union rates than previously reported and there are drawbacks to functional bracing. There is a growing trend towards operative management of these injuries, yet there are several complications associated with current operative methods. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the role of elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) as a solution to mitigate these risks.

methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane databases. Methodology followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews. Papers were screened using the screenatron SR software. Any differences of opinion regarding study inclusion were resolved through consultation with senior authors DT and AT. Data and outcomes were synthesised by two independent reviewers, and papers were assessed for bias and quality.

resultsNine studies encompassing 264 patients, at a mean age of 40 years old were analysed with a mean follow-up of 17 months. The majority of these studies were of level four evidence (with only one study being level three). Two elastic nails were retrogradely inserted in most cases. Two hundred fifty-eight (98%) of patients achieved union, the average time to union was 14 weeks. Studies demonstrated satisfactory, if not 'good to excellent' results across all, albeit heterogenous, measured outcomes. A low rate of complications such as radial nerve palsy and infection were found.

conclusionCurrent evidence supports the potential for increased use of ESIN for humeral shaft fracture management in adults. However, this study would encourage the further investigation of its efficacy through the development of a formalised surgical technique and the promotion of more high-quality comparative studies.

Indexed as

Bone NailsFracture Fixation, IntramedullaryHumeral FracturesAdultDiaphysesFracture HealingHumansTreatment OutcomeAdultElasticFractureHumeral shaftNailRetrograde

Identifiers

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.