Nonoperative Treatment of a Completely Displaced Pediatric Type-I Open Fracture of the Proximal Part of the Humerus A Case Report

Case: Most pediatric closed fractures of the proximal part of the humerus are treated nonoperatively. However, with open fractures of the proximal part of the humerus, nonoperative treatment typically is not indicated, and no such cases previously have been reported in the literature. We describe a 10-year-old boy with a completely displaced type-I open fracture of the proximal part of the humerus who was treated definitively in the emergency department with local irrigation and debridement, antibiotics, and the application of a hanging arm cast. One year later, he had complete radiographic union, no infectious sequelae, and no functional impairment of the shoulder. Conclusion: Nonoperative treatment of a pediatric type-I open fracture of the proximal part of the humerus can be successful.