Despite recent developments in fracture treatment,
cases of non-union after long bone fractures are still
encountered. This work aims at evaluating the active
management of delayed union after the bridge-plate fixation
of multifragmentary diaphyseal fractures by a limited
surgical interference. Nineteen patients were included. All
had revision surgery for delayed union of multifragmentary
diaphyseal fractures after bridge-plate fixation. The period
between primary and revision surgery was 12–20 weeks.
Increasing stability was performed by adding more screws
in all cases. Interfragmentary compression was performed
in 16 patients. Axial compression of the fracture was
applied in two patients, while one patient had the plate
exchanged for a longer one. Bone grafting was added in
nine patients. Union was achieved in all patients 8–
16 weeks after re-operation. This work is a message for
timely surgical interference in delayed union after bridgeplate
fixation by a limited surgical procedure, before
complete failure of the fracture stabilisation or non-union.