Expandable self-locking nail in the management of closed diaphyseal fractures of femur and tibia

Background:

Intramedullary fixation is the treatment of choice for closed diaphyseal fractures of femur and tibia. The axial and rotational stability of conventional interlocking nails depends primarily on locking screws. This method uses increased operating time and increased radiation exposure. An intramedullary implant that can minimize these disadvantages is obviously better. Expandable intramedullary nail does not rely on interlocking screws and achieves axial and rotational stability on hydraulic expansion of the nail. We analyzed 32 simple fractures of shaft of femur and tibia treated by self-locking expandable nail.

Materials and Methods:

Intramedullary fixation was done by using self-locking, expandable nail in 32 patients of closed diaphyseal fractures of tibia (n = 10) and femur (n = 22). The various modes of injury were road traffic accidents (n = 21), fall from height (n = 8), simple fall (n = 2), and pathological fracture (n = 1). Among femoral diaphyseal fractures 16 were males and six females, average age being 33 yrs (range, 18- 62 yrs). Seventeen patients had AO type A (A1 (n = 3), A2 (n = 4), A3 (n = 10)) and 5 patients had AO type B (B1 (n = 2), B2 (n = 2), B3 (n = 1)) fractures. Eight patients having tibial diaphyseal fractures were males and two were females; average age was 29.2 (range, 18- 55 yrs). Seven were AO type A (A1 (n = 2), A2 (n = 3), A3 (n = 2)) and three were AO type B (B1 (n = 1), B2 (n = 1), and B3 (n = 1)). We performed closed (n = 27) or open reduction (n = 5) and internal fixation with expandable nail to stabilize these fractures. The total radiation exposure during surgery was less as no locking screws were required. Early mobilisation and weight-bearing was started depending on fracture personality and evidences of healing. Absence of localised tenderness and pain on walking was considered clinical criteria for union, radiographic criteria of union being continuity in at least in three cortices in both AP and lateral views. Patients were followed for at least one year.

Results:

The average operative time was 90 min (range, 55-125 min) for femoral fractures and 53 min (range, 25-115 min) for tibial fractures. Radiation exposure was minimum, average being 84 seconds (range, 54-132) for femoral fractures and 54 seconds (range, 36-78) for tibial fractures. All fractures healed, but few had complications, such as infection (one case with tibial fracture) bent femoral nail with malunion (n = 1), and delayed union (n = 3; 2 cases in femur and 1 case in tibia). Mean time of union was 5.1 months (range, 4-10½ months) for femoral fractures and 4.8 months (range, 3-9 months) for tibial fractures.

Conclusion:

We found the nail very easy to use with effective fixation in AO type A and B fractures in our setting. Less surgical time is required with minimum complications. The main advantage of the expandable nail is that if affords. satisfactory axial, rotatory, and bending stability with decreased radiation exposure to operating staff and the patient.     

Treatment of femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunions using reamed intramedullary nailing without bone graft

INTRODUCTION: Intramedullary nailing has long been used successfully in the treatment of aseptic nonunions of the femur and tibia. However, recently the efficacy of reamed intramedullary nailing in the treatment of nonunions of the femur has been questioned by some publications reporting unfavourable results. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the treatment results of femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunions with intramedullary nailing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed thirty-two patients with femoral or tibial diaphyseal nonunions who were treated with reamed intramedullary nailing between May 2002 and April 2006. Fixation status at the time of treatment were nail in twenty-eight patients (12 femurs, 16 tibiae), plate in three cases (2 femurs, 1 tibia), no implant in one femur. We used a dynamically locked, reamed intramedullary nailing. Only in bone defects greater than 50% of the cortical diameter and more than 2 cm in length was open bone grafting performed. RESULTS: Solid union was achieved in 93% (fourteen of fifteen) of femoral nonunions and 94% (sixteen of seventeen) of tibial nonunions. CONCLUSIONS: Our protocol with a dynamically locked, reamed nailing with the use of an oval hole and no open bone grafting for a defect less than 50% of the diameter and immediate weight bearing was successful in the treatment of femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunions.     

Expandable nailing system for tibial shaft fractures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and present our current clinical experience in the treatment of closed and open tibial shaft fractures using the expandable intramedullary nailing system. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: One level-1 trauma centre. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six patients with acute tibial shaft fractures with at least 10 cm of intact cortex on both sides of the fracture. INTERVENTION: Internal fixation using the Fixion expandable intramedullary nail (Disc-O-Tech Medical Technologies Ltd., Herzliya, Israel). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Operative and fluoroscopy time, healing time and perioperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-six tibial fractures were treated (OTA classification: 3 type A1, 8 A2, 8 A3, 3 B1, 3 B2, and 1 B3), six of which were open. All fractures healed by week 18.5 with an mean of 12.8+/-3.8 weeks. The operating time ranged from 20 to 50 min with an mean of 40+/-12.17 min. The fluoroscopy time ranged from 6 to 22s with a mean of 10+/-5s. In one case the nail failed to expand, as detected by X-ray control, and had to be exchanged intraoperatively. Two patients reported anterior knee pain during the follow up, but did not wish any further treatment. In a low demanding patient rotational malalignment was noted and no further action needed. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, the use of the Fixion nailing system, where indicated, is associated with minimal complications and very good functional outcomes in fractures OTA types A and B. The advantages of the expandable nail include the decrease in the operating and fluoroscopy time and the simplicity of its application.     

带锁髓内钉治疗新鲜四肢长骨干骨折1224例疗效分析

目的总结带锁髓内钉治疗肱骨干、股骨干、股骨髁上、胫骨干和转子间骨折的疗效。方法自1996年10月至2004年6月间使用带锁髓内钉治疗的有完整资料的新鲜四肢骨折1224例,男778例,女446例;平均年龄39岁(16￣92岁)。骨折位于肱骨干92例,股骨转子间210例,股骨干488例,股骨髁上92例,胫骨342例。闭合骨折按AO分型:A型642例;B型364例;C型218例。开放骨折15例(GustiloⅠ型8例,GustiloⅡ型7例)。受伤至手术时间平均为8d(3h￣33d)。闭合复位1203例,切开复位23例;扩髓409例,非扩髓815例。结果平均随访时间为24个月(6￣70个月)。1204例骨折愈合,愈合率为98.2%,平均愈合时间为5个月(3￣12个月)。骨折不愈合22例,其中肱骨4例,股骨8例,股骨髁上4例,胫骨6例,总不愈合率为1.8%。术后无急性感染发生,3例发生晚期深部感染,总感染率为0.2%。术中16例发生严重骨折劈裂,4例为肱骨逆行髓内钉固定,4例Gamma钉固定,9例为股骨逆行髓内钉固定,占1.3%。6例发生医原性神经损伤,占0.4%。股骨髓内钉主钉断裂1例,锁钉断裂9例(0.6%)。晚期髓内钉末端骨折3例,占0.2%。53例主诉髓内钉尾端部位不适,占4.3%。结论闭合复位带锁髓内钉治疗骨干骨折在骨折愈合率、感染率、出血量、功能恢复情况和早期活动方面均较满意,是治疗骨干骨折较好的方法,但     

Expandable intramedullary nails in lower limb trauma: a systematic review of clinical and radiological outcomes

This study systematically reviews the evidence-base for the use of expandable nails in the treatment of acute diaphyseal fractures of the lower limb. Both electronic and hand searches were undertaken of the published and grey literature to 1 December 2011. A total of 154 citations were identified, of which 15 were deemed suitable and assessed with the Critical Appraisals Skills Programme tool. A total of 625 nailing procedures were performed in 620 patients: 279 femoral and 346 tibial nails. The expandable nail was found to be significantly quicker to insert than interlocked nails (p < 0.05), and the total incidence of non-union or other complication was 13 and 14 % for expandable femoral and tibial nails, respectively. Notable complications with the expandable nail included fracture propagation on nail inflation in 2.5 % and post-operative shortening in 3.3 %. Device failure secondary to problems with the expansion mechanism was seen in 2.9 %. The rate of non-union and infection following expandable nailing was 3.1 and 1.4 %, respectively. Despite promising initial results, there remains a paucity of good quality studies to support the use of expandable nails over interlocked nails for the treatment of acute diaphyseal fractures of the lower limb.     

Treatment of diaphyseal nonunion of the femur and tibia using an expandable nailing system

Introduction

We evaluated the efficacy of the expandable nailing system for treating femur and tibia shaft nonunions.

Patients and methods

Records of 24 patients (25 fractures) were retrospectively reviewed: 16 with femur and 8 with tibia nonunions. The bones underwent reaming, and the largest possible nail sizes were inserted during re-operation. Bone debris obtained from the reaming was used for bone graft at the site of the nonunion.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 32 years for the tibia group and 49 years for the femur group. The respective intervals between trauma and re-operation were 11 and 13 months, the operation times 60 and 78 min, and the fluoroscopy times 21 and 32 s. Twenty-four of the 25 nonunions healed satisfactorily without requiring additional procedures. In 1 case, demineralised bone matrix was injected percutaneously and the femoral nonunion resolved. Healing time was 23 weeks (6-52) and 17 weeks (6-40) in the tibia and femur groups, respectively. We were able to reduce the need of an autologous bone graft to only two cases by using reamed debris in 17 of the 19 patients who required grafting.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated satisfactory healing for the treatment of diaphyseal nonunions of the femur and tibia. The expandable nail offers the theoretical advantages of improved load sharing and rotational control without the need for interlocking screws. We recommend expandable nail systems for femur and tibia shaft nonunions and the use of reamed debris in order to decrease the use of autogenous bone graft.     

Interlocking nailing of complex fractures of the femur and tibia

The interlocking nail widens the range of indications for medullary osteosynthesis of femoral and tibial shaft fractures. Stability is achieved by transverse threaded bolts in prefabricated holes in the nail, which anchor the implant directly to cortical bone, thereby controlling length, alignment, and rotation of the limb. Two hundred eighty-three femoral and 401 tibial fractures were treated with an interlocking nail and followed for an average of 20 months. Overall, 97% of the femurs and 94.3% of the tibias were judged to have an excellent or good result, based on both clinical and radiographic parameters. Delayed union or nonunion requiring bone grafts occurred in 2% of the femurs and 0.7% of the tibias following interlocking nailing. Deep infection developed in 2.4% of the femurs and 2.2% of the tibias. All of these patients eventually healed their fractures without evidence of chronic osteomyelitis. The main advantage of interlocking nails is that surgery can be performed using closed nailing techniques, allowing early protected weight-bearing and joint motion. The rates of nonunion and infection are very low, and there is little risk of refracture after implant removal.     

Prospective comparison of retrograde and antegrade femoral intramedullary nailing

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare the results, function, and complications of antegrade and retrograde femoral nailing for femoral shaft fractures. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized. SETTING: Urban Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS: One hundred consecutive femoral shaft fractures. Fifty-four nails inserted retrograde and forty-six inserted antegrade. INTERVENTION: Ten-millimeter antegrade or retrograde nail inserted for a femoral shaft fracture after reaming. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: A comparison of the outcomes after antegrade and retrograde nailing of the femur. Data were collected for analysis on comminution, set-up and starting point times, open grade, location of fracture, injury severity score, body mass index, time to union, knee pain and motion, hip and thigh pain, and nail to intramedullary canal diameter difference. A linear regression model was employed. RESULTS: Knee motion was 120 degrees in all but one knee in each group. The antegrade nailed femurs healed faster than those treated retrograde (A = 14.4, R = 18.1 weeks, p = 0.0496). More patients required dynamization for union in the retrograde insertion group (17 percent versus 5 percent, p = 0.10, NS). In a linear regression model, a nail-to-canal-diameter difference and retrograde nailing had an association with an increased time to union. Knee pain was equal in both groups; however, thigh pain was higher in the antegrade group (p = 0.0108). All of the antegrade nailed femurs healed (100 percent), and 98 percent (one nonunion) of the retrograde femurs healed after secondary procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Both antegrade and retrograde nailing yielded high union rates. Each insertion technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. The two insertion modes appear to be relatively equal for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures.     

Simultaneous ipsilateral diaphyseal fractures of the femur and tibia: treatment and complications

We present our experience of intramedullary nailing (IM) and external fixation in the treatment of 54 patients with ipsilateral diaphyseal fractures of the femur and tibia. Eight femoral and 24 tibial fractures were open. They were classified into three groups: IM nailing of both fractures (group A, 19 patients); IM nailing of the femoral and external fixation of the tibial fracture (group B, eight patients); and external fixation of both fractures (group C, 27 patients). In group C (which included all but one grade III open fracture), two patients died and four underwent amputation. Femoral fractures treated with external fixation had significantly more complications and reoperations than those treated with IM nailing. In tibial fractures this difference was also present but not statistically significant. We believe that IM nailing is the method of choice for femoral fractures and is preferable for tibial fractures, with the exception probably of grade III B and C open injuries.     

Intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures. Ten years' experience.

In 236 intramedullary nailings of femoral shaft fractures there was a 2 per cent deep infection rate, and a 7 per cent nonunion rate; 87 per cent had good primary healing; 42 per cent had further surgery after the initial nailing (two-thirds for removal of the nail). Statistical analysis of the data does not support the view that delayed internal fixation results in less nonunions. The 55 femurs nailed in the first 3 days had a nonunion rate of 11 per cent, as opposed to a 7 per cent postinjury rate for the entire series, a statistically significant increase in nonunions with the Vesely-Street nail. Intramedullary nailing has the following advantages over treatment with traction: shorter hospital stay; better knee motion; less angulation, and less shortening.     

扩髓带锁髓内钉治疗股骨、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合

目的　总结使用扩髓带锁髓内钉治疗股骨、胫骨干骨骨折不愈合、延迟愈合的临床经验。方法　回顾自 1999年 4月～2 0 0 1年 6月使用扩髓带锁髓内钉治疗股骨干、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合病人 2 1例 ,其中股骨 8例 ,胫骨 13例 ,钢板固定术后 ,股骨 3例 ,胫骨 6例。普通髓内针股骨 5例。外固定架胫骨 2例。石膏固定胫骨 3例 ,骨牵引股骨 2例。均采用有限切口切开复位顺行扩髓 ,静力锁定加植骨术。结果　随访半年以上 18例 ,骨折均愈合 ,临近关节功能达正常。无感染、断钉等并发症。结论　采用有限切口切开复位、扩髓、静力锁定治疗股骨、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合 ,具有骨折稳定性可靠、有利于骨折愈合和早期关节活动的优点 ,是治疗股骨、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合的有效方法之一。     

Permanent reduction plate and intramedullary nailing of open tibia fractures: Do we need to take them out?

IntroductionProvisional reduction plating has been advocated as a reduction aid for tibial shaft fractures. Concerns regarding soft tissue stripping, infection, wound complications and nonunion have been postulated. Recent studies investigating reduction plating present patient cohorts where plates are removed or left to the discretion of the surgeon. This study aims to identify a cohort of open tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nailing aided by permanent reduction plating. Our hypothesis is that permanent reduction plating in conjunction with intramedullary nailing of open tibia fractures does not increase risk of nonunion, infection or time to fracture union compared to intramedullary nailing alone.MethodsAn IRB approved retrospective study was performed using trauma registry data from January 2014 to June 2018 at a Level 1 trauma center. Open AO/OTA 41A/42 A-C/43A tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nail alone (IM) or intramedullary nail and permanent reduction plates (PP) were included in patients over 18 years of age with at least six month follow up or until fracture union. Patient demographics, fracture characteristics, mechanism of injury, medical comorbidities, and length of follow up were recorded along with time to union, incidence of nonunion and treatment for documented or suspected infections.ResultsDuring the study period, 389 patients underwent tibial intramedullary nailing with 162 identified as open fractures. 91 patients met inclusion criteria with 39 in the PP group and 52 in IM group. Statistical analysis revealed no difference between the two groups except more AO/OTA 42A fractures were noted in the IM group. Average follow up was 8.0 and 10.2 months for PP and IM respectively. Nonunion occurred in 2 PP group patients and 7 in the IM group (p = 0.29). Time to union was 5.5 months for PP group and 6.1 months for IM group (p = 0.39) with 4 infections in the PP group and 10 infections in IM group (p = 0.38).ConclusionDespite the small sample size, this study suggests that permanent reduction plating, in the setting of open tibia fractures, does not delay time to fracture union or increase risk of nonunion or infection.     

Extreme complications of Fixion nail in treatment of long bone fractures

The authors present their experience related to extreme complications in treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the long bones with application of the Fixion expansion intramedullary nail in a total of 48 surgeries. We have encountered six (12.5%) extreme complications in the management of fractures of 3 humeral, 2 tibial, and 1 femoral bones during its application procedure and postoperative follow-up. Of six cases, two with humeral and tibial fractures developed nonunion and rotational instability because of failure of inflation of the Fixion nail. One of the Fixion nail in humerus was broken spontaneously, and one of the Fixion nail deflated at the follow-up and pseudoarthrosis developed in this patient. In a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta, during the inflation of the nail for the treatment of femur fracture, a new longitudinal fracture occurred and conventional non-locking intramedullary nail was inserted. In a patient with a tibia fracture that was treated with the Fixion nail, new fracture occurred due to its bending after weight bearing in the postoperative period. The Fixion nail application is a new technique for the intramedullar fixation of long bones. It is considered as an effective method for the selective fracture types of long bones. Application may need special training. Since the Fixion has not got rotational stability and rigidity as conventional nailing systems, bending and breaking of the nail may occur during postoperative period in patients with over obesity and hyperactivity. In patients with osteogenesis imperfecta, it may not be the first choice as a nailing system.     

Bilateral intertrochanteric and femoral diaphyseal fractures with unilateral proximal tibial fracture: A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Bilateral intertrochanteric femur fractures are relatively rare injuries. This study aims to present a case of a patient with simultaneous bilateral intertrochanteric femur fractures and femoral diaphyseal fractures and proximal tibial fracture with his twelve years follow-up.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 44-year-old man presented to emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. Bilateral intertrochanteric femur fractures (OTA classification – 31A.1.2) and bilateral femoral diaphyseal fractures (OTA classification – 32A.2) and nondisplaced right proximal tibial fracture (OTA classification – 41B.1) were determined in radiographs. Following closed reduction, fractures were fixed with intramedullary nails bilaterally. Proximal tibial fracture was fixed with cannulated screws following open reduction. At twelfth year follow-up he was able to do his daily activities with minimal limitation.

DISCUSSION

High energy traumas, stress fractures, systemic disorders (osteomalacia, chronic renal failure), steroid treatments, seizures and electric injuries are possible causes for bilateral hip factures. However bilateral femoral diaphyseal fractures are mostly due to high energy traumas. Long-term biphosphonate use may also cause bilateral fractures. Single-stage surgery should be performed in order to avoid secondary damages of surgical interventions. All fractures of our patient were fixed in a single session. This prevented further deterioration of patient''s status and made rehabilitation easy.

CONCLUSION

Careful evaluation of all systems should be performed in multi-trauma patients to find out concomitant injuries. Single staged surgical treatment may decrease morbidities.     

Intramedullary nailing of the femur with an inflatable self-locking nail: comparison with locked nailing

We report a comparative study between an inflatable expandable nail and a traditional locked intramedullary implant in closed fractures of the femoral shaft. We matched each of 43 patients who had undergone intramedullary fixation with an inflatable expandable nail with a patient of the same sex, age (within 2 years), and fracture who had undergone statically locked intramedullary fixation with traditional nails. The mean duration of surgery was significantly shorter in the patients who were treated with the inflatable expandable nail. There were no differences in average blood loss, transfusion requirements, or hospitalization. Five of the patients who underwent traditional nailing required dynamization to achieve union. The inflatable expandable nail allows effective management of diaphyseal fractures of the femur. Interlocking is not necessary, operative times are reduced, and exposure to ionizing radiation is minimized. At present, however, the inflatable expandable nail used in the this investigation is markedly more expensive than traditional devices.     

Diaphyseal humeral fractures and intramedullary nailing: Can we improve outcomes?

While intramedullary nailing has been established as the treatment of choice for diaphyseal fractures of the femur and tibia, its role in the management of diaphyseal humeral fractures remains controversial. The reasons include not only the complicated anatomy and unique biomechanical characteristics of the arm but also the fact that surgical technique and nail designs devised for the treatment of femoral and tibial fractures are being transposed to the humerus. As a result there is no consensus on many aspects of the humeral nailing procedure, e.g., the basic nail design, nail selection criteria, timing of the procedure, and the fundamental principles of the surgical technique (e.g., antegrade/retrograde, reamed/unreamed, and static/dynamic). These issues will be analyzed and discussed in the present article. Proposals aiming to improve outcomes include the categorization of humeral nails in two distinct groups: “fixed” and “bio”, avoidance of reaming for the antegrade technique and utilization of “semi-reaming” for the retrograde technique, guidelines for reducing complications, setting the best “timing” for nailing and criteria for selecting the most appropriate surgical technique (antegrade or retrograde). Finally, suggestions are made on proper planning and conducting clinical and biomechanical studies regarding the use of intramedullary nailing in the management of humeral shaft fractures.     

Antegrade nailing of femoral shaft fractures combined with neck or distal femur fractures

Introduction Complex femoral fractures pose considerable therapeutic challenges to orthopedic surgeons. We present a retrospective review of 25 patients with complex femoral fractures treated with intramedullary locked nailing and supplemental screw fixation.Materials and methods Fifteen patients with ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures (group 1) and 10 patients with ipsilateral femoral shaft and distal femur fractures (group 2) were treated from 1990 to 1998. High-energy injuries occurred in all patients. There were 4 open fractures. Antegrade, locked nailing of diaphyseal fractures was performed in all cases. Supplemental screws for the neck were used in all patients in group 1 and in 3 patients in group 2.Results All of the fractures united during the follow-up. Five patients in group 1 underwent reoperation (33.3%): one due to a delayed union, the second due to an implant failure, the third due to a nonunion of a neck fracture, and the last two because of an initially missed femoral neck fracture. None of the patients in group 2 underwent reoperation. Angular malalignment of the shaft was found in 6 fractures in group 1 (average 4.8^o, range 3^o–11^o) and in 4 fractures in group 2 (average 6^o, range 3^o–12^o). Shortening of the limb occurred in 3 patients in group 1 (average 1.4 cm, range 1–1.8) and in 1 patient in group 2 (2 cm). Loss of fixation was seen in 1 patient in each group. Avascular necrosis and infection were not seen in any case in both groups.Conclusion Femoral intramedullary nails with antegrade or retrograde options for insertion and different locking possibilities have extended the indications to include both diaphyseal and metaphyseal fractures. New nail designs, usually more expensive than the conventional nails, have been introduced into the market for this purpose. One has to keep in mind that antegrade, locked nailing of femoral shaft fractures combined with neck or distal femur fractures is a technically demanding but efficacious procedure. The success rate is high when the technique is meticulously implemented.     

静力型交锁髓内钉动力化治疗下肢骨干骨折延迟愈合

目的 探讨静力型交锁髓内钉动力化治疗下肢骨干骨折延迟愈合的效果。方法 对27例骨折应用静力型交锁髓内钉固定后的股骨和胫骨骨干延迟愈合患者，行近侧或远侧锁钉取出术进行动力化治疗。其中股骨干延迟愈合17例，胫骨干延迟愈合10例。结果 随访7—48个月，平均19．5个月。术后3—7个月(平均3．3个月)获临床愈合。无感染、断钉、关节损伤和内固定取出后再骨折。结论 静力型改为动力型是治疗交锁髓内钉固定后股骨和胫骨骨干延迟愈合的有效方法。应用时注意选择适当的手术时机，选择取出锁钉也要得当。     

Anterograde femoral nailing with a reamed interlocking titanium alloy nail

Intramedullary nailing has become the gold standard for treatment of femoral diaphyseal fractures. Between March 1995 and December 1998 we performed 40 intramedullary nailings using the ACE femoral nail (De Puy). The patients were followed for an average of 27.9 months (range: 6-54 months). The mean age was 33.2 years (range: 17-87 years); the sex distribution was 33 males and 7 females. All fractures were unilateral (right 18, left 22). Most of the fractures were caused by traffic accidents (35), the others originated from sports, work and gunshot (1). Thirty-five fractures were closed and 5 were open: 1 was grade I, 2 were grade II and 2 grade IIIa according to Gustilo's classification. According to the AO classification 18 fractures were type A, 13 type B and 9 type C. The majority of patients had associated injuries: neurotrauma 2, chest trauma 2, and other fractures e.g. of the clavicula, lumbar spine, patella, tibia. Immediate surgery was performed in 34 cases, delayed surgery in 6 cases. All fractures were treated on a fracture table, with closed reduction, reaming of the intramedullary canal, proximal and distal locking and intraoperative control of rotation and length. The mean time to healing was 17.85 weeks (range: 18-50 weeks). The following complications were observed: 3 delayed unions, which united after dynamisation, one malunion, which required corrective osteotomy, and one nonunion, which healed after exchange nailing. We encountered no rotational deformity and no clinically relevant shortening. Six nails were removed due to irritation by locking screws. These results are comparable with those of larger series in the literature with other types of interlocking nails. The union rate in this series was 97.5%.     

The treatment of noninfected pseudarthrosis of the femur and tibia with locked intramedullary nailing

Sixty-six cases of noninfected nonunions (27 femoral and 39 tibial) were treated with an interlocking nail. In these cases, 92.6% of the femurs and 94.8% of the tibias healed after the first operation in a mean time of 15.4 and 13.0 weeks, respectively. Deep infection complicated five nailings (7.5%, two femur and three tibia), which included three patients with reactivation of latent osteomyelitis. All cases healed after debridement and use of gentamicin PMMA beads. In one case the nail had to be removed and replaced by an external fixator. Residual angulation between 5 degrees and 10 degrees occurred in three femurs and seven tibias. Shortening occurred in all patients and averaged 0.9 cm in the femur and 0.5 cm in the tibia. Of the patients treated for femoral nonunion, 92.5% achieved full hip flexion and 77.8% full knee flexion on final follow-up examination. In patients with tibial nonunions treated with a locked nail, 92.3% had normal knee flexion and 84.6% obtained normal ankle function. Interlocking nailing offers unique advantages to patients with femoral or tibial shaft pseudarthrosis. The technique allows early weight-bearing, range of motion of adjacent joints, and reliable rates of consolidation of the nonunions.