Ilizarov augmentation in the treatment of humeral shaft nonunions developing after failed intramedullary nailing [Başari{dotless}si{dotless}z intramedüller çivi uygulamasi{dotless} sonrasi{dotless} gelişen humerus cisim kaynamamalari{dotless}nda İlizarov güçlendirme tedavisi]

Objectives: in this study,we presented our experience with ilizarov augmentation in the treatment of patients with humeral shaft nonunion following failed intramedullary nail fixation. patients and methods: seven patients (4 females,3 males; mean age 47 years; range 32 to 62 years) with established humeral nonunions following antegrade intramedullary nailing were evaluated retrospectively. in all patients an ilizarov fixator was applied over the nail as a closed procedure. the average period between the first injury and fixator application was 12.2 months (range 8 to 21). the patients were assessed radiologically with respect to bony union at follow-up. constant scoring was used to assess shoulder function in the clinical evaluation. results: all nonunions healed without a major complication. five patients had superficial pin tract infections which responded well to antibiotic treatment. the follow-up average constant score was 78. conclusion: ilizarov external fixation is an alternative and effective method in the treatment of aseptic humeral shaft nonunion following failed intramedullary nailing.