CPT® Code 24515

Open treatment of a humeral shaft fracture involves a surgical procedure aimed at stabilizing a fracture located in the shaft of the humerus, which is the long bone of the upper arm. This treatment utilizes surgical fixation techniques, specifically employing plates and screws, and may also incorporate cerclage, which is a method of encircling the bone with wire to provide additional support. The choice of surgical approach—either posterior or anterolateral—depends on the specific location of the fracture. In the posterior approach, the surgeon makes an incision over the area between the lateral and long heads of the triceps muscle, allowing access to the back of the humeral shaft. This may involve incising the medial head of the triceps and carefully retracting nearby nerves to gain adequate exposure. Conversely, the anterolateral approach involves creating an incision between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles, as well as between the musculocutaneous and radial nerves, to access the fracture site from the front and side. Once the fracture is visible, a compression plate is applied to stabilize the bone fragments, and lag screws are used to secure the plate in place. The stability of the fracture is then assessed, and if necessary, wire cerclage is applied to enhance fixation. Radiographic imaging may be utilized to confirm that the fracture fragments are properly aligned and stabilized.