Concomitant ligamentous and meniscal knee injuries in femoral shaft fracture

Background

Concomitant knee injury is a common finding in femoral fractures but can be easily missed during early management of the initial trauma. Degrees of damage to the articular structures vary considerably; from only a mild effusion to complete ligamentous and meniscal tears. Since previous reports were mostly from developed societies, this study was designed to look into characteristics of associated knee injury in a sample from Iran, to represent a developing country perspective.

Materials and methods

Consecutive patients admitted to an orthopedic ward of Baqiyatallah hospital (Tehran, Iran) with diagnosis of femoral fracture were enrolled in this study between October 2008 and September 2009. In patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study, arthroscopic or open surgical examination of the knee, ADT, Lachman test, varus and valgus stress tests under anesthesia were carried out to determine the incidence of knee injury.

Results

Forty patients with ipsilateral and two patients with bilateral femoral fractures were studied. Arthroscopy revealed medial meniscus injury in 12 (27 %) knees. Three (7 %) lateral meniscus injuries, 18 (40.9 %) ACL injuries and 2 (4.5 %) PCL injuries were also found. In varus and valgus stress tests, 15 (34 %) MCL and 4 (9 %) LCL laxities were noticed. The Lachman test was positive in 3 (6 %), and ADT was positive in 2 (4.5 %) patients.

Conclusions

Based on our observations, concomitant ligamentous and meniscal knee injury is a common finding in femoral shaft fractures and rates of these injuries are generally in concert with reports from developed nations.     

提高股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折早期诊断率的前瞻性研究

目的 评价连续性币=项榆查诊断方案对股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折早期诊断的临床效果. 方法采用前瞻性研究方法,对2005年9月至2007年6月收治的股骨干骨折采用连续性的五项检查诊断方案,诊断其中合并同侧股骨颈骨折病例.包括基本3项:术前髋关节保持内旋位的前后位X线榆查,术中髋部透视,术后患者麻醉清醒前摄髋关节正、侧位X线片;备选2项:股骨颈薄层CT扫描(2 mm),随访期间出现髋部疼痛时摄X线片.并与2003年9月至2005年8月收治的股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折病例常规诊断状况进行比较. 结果五项方案组合并同侧股骨颈骨折的早期诊断率达93.8%,较传统方案组(46.2%)娃著提高,差异有统计学意义(χ2=4.069,P=0.044). 结论连续性的五项检查诊断方案能显著提高股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折的早期诊断率.     

Talar fractures associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures: report of three cases

Talar fractures associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures have been occasionally reported, but an unexpectedly high potential for simultaneous occurrence of the fractures in head-on collisions has not been well documented. We treated three patients with ipsilateral femoral shaft and talar fractures in a 2-year period starting in 2000. The patients were male, aged 25, 34 and 40 years, polytraumatized with other injuries. In all cases, the fractures occurred in the right lower extremities of drivers involved in head-on collisions. The talar fractures were not detected at the initial diagnosis. We considered that the feet had been dorsiflexed and exposed to an axial load from the front when the drivers pushed the brake pedals. This condition was considered to cause both fractures. Careful examination should be carried out to rule out talar fractures in swollen feet associated with femoral shaft fractures in head-on collisions.     

Injury of knee ligament associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures and with ipsilateral femoral and tibial shaft fractures

A series of 110 patients with 114 fractures of the femur were reviewed an average of 3.9 years after injury. Demonstrable knee ligament laxity was present in 31 (27 per cent) of these patients, while 13 (11 per cent) complained of instability. Thirty-three patients with 34 ipsilateral femoral and tibial shaft fractures were examined an average of 3.7 years after injury. Demonstrable knee ligament laxity was present in 18 (53 per cent) of these patients, while 6 (18 per cent) complained of instability.

Most of the patients with instability had a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament with or without damage to other ligaments.

We conclude that knee ligament injury is more common with ipsilateral fracture of the femur and tibia than with just a single ipsilateral femoral fracture. We advocate careful assessment of the knee in all cases of fracture of the femur.     

同侧股骨干合并股骨颈骨折的处理

目的 分析同侧股骨干合并股骨颈骨折的临床特点和诊断要点，探讨不同治疗方法的疗效。方法 1998年3月－2001年6月收治的18例19个同侧股骨干合并股骨颈骨折病人中，早期诊断12例，2例用多针固定。2例行缝匠肌带肌蒂植骨，3例行带旋髂深血管植骨术。结果 术后随访8－40个月，平均16个月。股骨干骨折除1例钢板固定不愈合外其余均愈合。股骨颈骨折1例不愈合，其余均愈合。结论 对股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折早期推荐使用逆行带锁髓内钉和空心螺钉固定，对漏诊病例使用多针在股骨髓内钉前方固定股骨颈是一种有效的补救方法，晚期漏诊采用带肌蒂、血管蒂植骨术仍可取得较高愈合率。     

股骨远端骨折手术治疗的多中心回顾性研究

目的 通过多中心回顾性研究探讨采用切开复位内固定手术治疗股骨远端骨折的疗效.方法 对自2002年10月至2009年3月国内4所大学附属医院收治且获得完整随访的60例股骨远端骨折患者资料进行回顾性分析,男37例,女23例;年龄15～90岁,平均49岁.所有患者均采用切开复位内固定治疗,微创内固定系统(LISS)固定29例,非LISS固定31例.骨折按照AO分型:A型20例,B型17例,C型23例.对患者的疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、膝关节功能评分、主观满意度等进行评估.比较患侧和健侧的膝关节主动活动范围,比较不同内固定系统与不同骨折分型患者的疗效.结果 所有患者术后获4～74个月(平均26.2个月)随访,末次随访时骨折均获骨性愈合.所有患者骨折部位静息状态的VAS评分平均为0.35分,负重行走时的VAS评分为1.06分.HSS评分平均为81.8分,Lysholm评分平均83.4分.主观满意度评分为7～10分,平均8.9分.所有患者术后患侧和健侧膝关节平均活动范围比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).LISS组与非LISS组仪HSS评分比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).不同骨折类型之间患膝屈曲角度A、B型均优于C型;屈曲改善角度C型＞B型＞A型,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 根据具体骨折情况采用适当的切开复位内固定治疗股骨远端骨折疗效满意;使用LISS系统与非LISS系统差别不大.

Abstract：

Objective To retrospectively investigate the clinical outcomes of multicentre treatment of distal femoral fractures with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) . Methods Included in this investigation were 60 patients with distal femoral fracture who were treated with ORIF from October 2002 to March 2009 and were fully followed up in 4 major Chinese medical institutions.They were 37 men and 23 women,aged from 15 to 90 years (mean,49 years).By AO classification,there were 20 cases of type A,17 cases of type B and 23 cases of type C.Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) was used for fixation in 29 cases and non-L1SS in 31 cases.The pain was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS).The ranges of motion (ROMs) were compared between the affected and the normal knees. Results The follow-ups ranged from 4 to 74 months,averaging 26.2 months.All patients obtained clinical union by the end of follow-up.The mean VAS score was 0.35 when the fracture site was at rest and was 1.06 when the patient was walking under weight.The mean HSS score was 81.8,the mean Lysholm score was 83.4,and the subjective satisfaction of the patient averaged 8.9 (7 to 10).The postoperative ROMs differed significantly between the affected and the normal knees ( P ＜ 0.05).The HSS scores differed significantly between LISS and non-LISS fixations ( P ＜0.05) .Fractures of types A and B had significantly better flexion of the affected knee than those of type C.Type C had significantly greater flexion improvement than type B and type B larger than type A ( P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions Current clinical treatments of distal femoral fractures by ORIF are satisfactory.There are no significant differences between LISS and non-LISS in overall clinical effects.     

Treatment of ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures

Objective：To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment options and causes of misdiagnosis of ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures.
Methods： Among 20 patients with ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures, 19 were treated operatively and 1 was treated conservatively. Sixteen cases of femoral shaft fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with compressive plate, and 2 cases were treated with interlocking intramedullary nailing. Eighteen femoral neck fractures were treated with cannulated screws. Another patient was treated with proximal femoral nail to fix both the neck and shaft. Delayed diagnosis for femoral neck frac-tures occurred in 2 cases preoperatively. Results： A total of 19 patients were followed up. The follow up period ranged from 5 to 48 months with an average of 15 months. All the fractures were healed.
Conclusion： For case of femoral shaft fracture caused by high energy injury, an AP pelvic film should be routinely taken. Once the femoral neck fracture is recognized, operative reduction and fixation should be performed in time. Femoral neck and shaft fractures should be fixed separately.     

髋臼合并同侧股骨颈骨折的手术治疗与预后

目的 探讨髋臼合并同侧股骨颈骨折的手术方法与预后.方法 1990年10月至2008年1月共收治7例髋臼合并同侧股骨颈骨折患者,其中男5例,女2例;年龄22～55岁(平均38.6岁).髋臼骨折按Letournel分类:后壁骨折2例,后柱伴后壁骨折1例,横行伴后壁骨折2例,双柱骨折2例.股骨颈骨折按Garden分型:Ⅲ型2例,Ⅳ型5例.其中X线片和CT片示股骨颈骨折合并股骨头游离脱位于髋臼后上方者5例,仅显示股骨颈骨折而无脱位者2例.结果切开复位内固定术后X线片示5例移位髋臼骨折患者获解剖复位,2例获满意复位.股骨颈骨折均获满意复位和固定.7例患者术后获1～18年(平均8.6年)随访,X线片示5例合并股骨头脱位者日后均出现股骨头缺血性坏死,坏死率高达100%(5/5),髋关节功能恢复均为差,于内固定术后2～4年改行全髋关节置换术.而2例股骨头未脱位者至今X线片上仍未显示任何股骨头坏死迹象,也无创伤后关节炎表现,髋关节功能恢复均为优.结论 髋臼合并同侧股骨颈骨折患者,如同时合并股骨头脱位,因股骨头坏死率高,应首选全髋关节置换术治疗.如未合并股骨头脱位,可以考虑首选切开复位内固定.     

下肢骨干骨折伴发同侧髋关节损伤

从Delaney和Street[1]首次报道股骨干骨折伴发同侧髋关节损伤以来,欧美国家报道较多[2],国内多为个案报告[3,4]。随着我国交通和建筑业的日益发展,下肢骨干(股、胫骨)骨折伴发同侧髋关节损伤并非少见。在这类损伤中股、胫骨骨折易于诊断,但髋关节损伤容易延误诊断或漏诊[2,4-8],治疗上较为复杂,为此作者复习了近年来的21例下肢骨干骨折伴发同侧髋关节损伤的病例,对其临床特点进行分析和研究。     

股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折手术方法的选择及疗效分析

目的 探讨股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折的手术方法及疗效.方法 2004年11月至2009年11月共收治42例股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折患者,男37例,女5例;年龄21～84岁,平均59.2岁.股骨干骨折部位:近段18例,中段17例,远段7例.股骨颈骨折按Garden分型:Ⅰ型5例,Ⅱ型10例,Ⅲ型21例,Ⅳ型6例.本组患者均于入院后3 d内确诊,无误诊及漏诊.其中20例患者行人工关节置换治疗,为关节置换组;22例患者行空心钉、髓内钉或钢板内固定,为内固定组.回顾性分析并比较两组患者的疗效.结果 42例患者术后获1～3年(平均2年)随访.股骨干骨折愈合时间为14～24周,平均18周;股骨颈骨折愈合时间为12～20周,平均16周.两组患者平均住院时间、手术时间、术中出血量、术后下床活动时间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).关节置换组术后髋关节功能优良率为95.0%,内固定组术后髋关节功能优良率为72.7%,差异有统计学意义(x2=9.251,P=0.000).两组未发生并发症的患者术后1、2、3年Merchan评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折的治疗应根据患者的体质、年龄、股骨干骨折的部位及股骨颈骨折的移位程度来确定.对于年龄较大、体质较差的患者,行人工股骨头置换术是一种较好的选择.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate clinical features,operative treatments and outcomes of ipsilateral fractures of femoral shaft and neck. Methods Forty-two cases of ipsilateral fractures of femoral neck and shaft were treated from November,2004 to November,2009 in our institution.They were 37 males and 5 females.Their ages ranged from 21 to 84 years,with an average of 59.2 years.The fracture involved 18upper shafts,17 middle shafts and 7 lower shafts.By Garden classification,there were 5 cases of type Ⅰ,10cases of type Ⅱ,21 cases of type Ⅲ,and 6 cases of type Ⅳ neck fractures.All cases were diagnosed in 3days after admission;there were no misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.Twenty patients were treated by artificialjoint replacement(replacement group),while 22 patients by fixation with cannulated nails,intramedullary nails,or plate(fixation group).Outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Results All cases were followed up for 1 to 3 years,with an average of 2 years.Femoral neck fractures united between 12 to 20weeks,with an average of 16 weeks;femoral shaft fractures united between 14 to 24 weeks,with an average of 18 weeks.There were significant differences between the 2 groups in average length of hospital stay,ambulation time,blood loss,postoperative activities and good to excellent rate of postoperative joint function(P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the Merchan scores 1,2,and 3 years after operation for complication-free patients(P>0.05). Conclusion Surgical treatment of ipsilateral fractures of femoral neck and shaft depends on position of the shaft fracture,displacement of the neck fracture,physical constitution and age of the patient to be treated.     

同侧股骨颈、股骨干骨折的手术治疗

目的观察两种手术方法治疗同侧股骨颈和股骨干骨折的疗效。方法对1999年10月～2002年2月收治的16例同侧股骨颈和干骨折进行手术治疗。年龄29～71岁,平均40岁。4例开放性骨折为GustiloⅡ型。16例患者有合并损伤,5例患者累及同侧髌骨。股骨颈骨折按照Garden分型Ⅱ型8例,Ⅲ型7例,Ⅳ型1例。股骨干骨折按照Winquist分类Ⅰ°4例,Ⅱ°5例,Ⅲ°2例,Ⅳ°5例。9例患者使用AOⅡ型顺行股骨交锁髓内钉固定股骨颈和股骨干骨折,7例患者使用空心螺纹钉联合逆行股骨交锁髓内钉治疗。结果全部病例随访12～40个月,平均22个月。1例患者术中X线透视检查发现股骨颈骨折予空心螺纹钉固定。2例患者漏诊,术后随访时发现股骨颈骨折形成骨不连,除1例骨不连患者外,其余患者骨折均顺利愈合,股骨颈与股骨干骨折平均愈合时间分别为14周(12～17周)、12周(10～14周)。结论空心螺纹钉和股骨逆形交锁髓内钉以及AOⅡ型顺行股骨交锁髓内钉固定股骨颈和股骨干骨折均可获得满意结果,但后者疗效仍需进一步观察。     

股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折的手术治疗

目的探讨股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折的手术方法和疗效.方法回顾性分析自1996年1月至2002年12月应用手术治疗资料完整的26例股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折患者,男22例,女4例;年龄17～50岁,平均28岁.受伤原因：交通伤17例,高处坠落伤9例.入院后即刻确诊股骨颈骨折16例;延迟诊断10例,延迟时间为3～75 d,平均13.1d.全部病例均采用切开复位内固定,其中股骨干骨折采用动力加压钢板内固定13例,顺行髓内钉固定2例,逆行髓内钉固定5例,该20例患者合并的股骨颈骨折采用空心钉固定;股骨干及股骨颈骨折同时应用重建髓内钉固定4例,动力髋螺钉（DHS）固定2例.结果术后随访3～9年,平均4.4年.25例股骨干骨折于术后16～32周骨折愈合,平均20周;1例在术后18个月骨折仍未愈合,经再次手术内固定并植骨后24周愈合.25例股骨颈骨折于术后12～28周骨折愈合,平均16周;1例股骨颈骨折10个月不愈合,行全髋关节置换.术后并发症包括伤口感染1例,内固定断裂1例,股骨头缺血性坏死1例,膝关节活动受限3例.结论股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折相对较少,漏诊率较高（38.5%）且治疗复杂.治疗应根据股骨干骨折的部位和股骨颈骨折的移位程度来确定内固定方式.     

股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折治疗的临床观察

目的：探讨股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折的治疗特点和不同固定方法的疗效。方法：股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折27例,男22例,女5例;年龄14～65岁,平均35岁。动力髋螺钉（DHS）固定3例,加压钢板加空心加压螺钉固定12例,重建钉固定8例,顺行髓内钉加空心加压螺钉固定4例。13例固定术前用克氏针临时固定股骨颈骨折。结果：术后随访36～75个月,平均44个月。25例股骨颈骨折平均愈合时间4.5个月,2例股骨颈骨折不愈合。27例股骨干均愈合,平均愈合时间6个月。未用克氏针临时固定股骨颈骨折14例中,2例出现股骨颈不愈合,3例轻度髋内翻畸形。结论：股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折有许多固定方法可供选择,加压钢板加空心加压螺钉固定简便易用,在实施固定术前用克氏针临时固定股骨颈骨折可避免股骨颈骨折再移位和损伤。     

股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折的诊疗分析

股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折属于复杂股骨骨折,多由车祸、高处坠落等高速度、高能量损伤所致.近年来随着交通运输业和建筑业的发展,该病的发病率有不断上升的趋势.股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折多合并其他系统损伤,漏诊率高,治疗也相对棘手,容易导致医疗纠纷的发生.因此有必要结合文献对本病加以探讨,以提高对本病的认识和诊疗水平.     

Surgical treatment for ipsilateral fractures of the hip and femoral shaft

Concomitant ipsilateral femoral shaft and neck fractures are difficult to treat. There is still no consensus on the optimal treatment of these complex fractures. Forty-seven patients with these complex fractures were treated in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital between the periods of 1982 and 1998. Our standard treatment protocol is plate fixation for femoral shaft fracture and lag screw or dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation for hip fracture. Among 42 cases treated with this protocol, 34 were males and 8 were females with an average age of 36 years and average follow-up period of 55 months. We divided hip fractures into two groups: femoral neck fracture as group I and intertrochanteric fracture as group II. There were no non-union and osteonecrosis of the hip in either group. One diaphyseal non-union was observed in group I and four in group II. There were 92 and 76% good functional results in groups I and II, respectively. The result shows that our standard method can yield a reliable outcome in group I, but not in group II.     

带锁髓内钉治疗股骨干骨折合并股骨颈及转子间骨折或转子下粉碎骨折

目的应用带锁髓内钉治疗股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折及转子间骨折或转子下粉碎骨折。方法在1996年7月～1998年11月收治的16例复杂股骨骨折中,股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折3例,合并转手间骨折4例,转子下粉碎骨折9例。其中10例应用国产加长型Gamma钉,6例使用Russell－Taylor股骨重建钉固定。结果所有病例随访6～22个月,平均11个月。除1例股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折患者术后7个月出现股骨头坏死外,其余15例骨折均愈合,平均愈合时间5．5个月,患肢关节功能优良。经此方法治疗后可早期活动关节及功能锻炼、手术创伤小、切口小、固定可靠、骨折愈合率高。结论　　对股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折及转手间骨折或转子下粉碎骨折的治疗,带锁髓内钉具有明显优势。     

Treatment of ipsilateral hip and femoral shaft fractures with reconstructive intramedullary interlocking nail

Objective: To evaluate the results of reconstructive intramedullary interlocking nail in the treatment of ipsllateral hip and femoral shaft fractures. Methods: From August 1997 to November 2001, 13 patients were treated with the reconstructive intramedullary interlocking nail. Nine patients were associated with ipsllateral femoral neck fractures, three with ipsilateral intertrochanteric fractures, and one with subtrochanteric fracture. Results: The follow-up time was from 6 to 38 months with an average of 14 months. All the femoral shaft and hip fractures healed up well. There was no nonunion of the femoral neck, and only one varns malunion. No patient had avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The average healing time for femoral neck fracture was 4.6 months and for shaft fracture 5.8 months. The joint movement and other functions were fairly resumed. Conclusions: The reconstructive intramedullary interlocking nail, with less trauma, refiable fixation, and high rate of fracture healing, is an ideal method of choice in the treatment of ipsilateral hip and femoral shaft fractures.     

Hoffa fracture associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture: clinical feature and treatment

Hoffa fracture associated with ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture is very rare.Three cases of this rare type of injury were retrospectively reviewed.The sites of femoral shaft fractures and Hoffa fractures were documented.All femoral shaft fractures were managed with internal fixation.The rate of misdiagnosis for the Hoffa fractures was documented.Functions of the affected knees were evaluated according to the modified Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores at two years follow-up.Femoral fractures were either transverse or composite in all three cases.Ipsilateral Hoffa fractures occurred at medial condyle in two cases,and lateral condyle in one case.Only one Hoffa fracture was identified preoperatively.All the femoral shaft fractures healed uneventfully.In the patient whose Hoffa fracture was correctly diagnosed,the modified HSS score was 94.In another patient,whose Hoffa fracture was treated by a second operation,the modified HSS score was 93.And in the third case,who refused additional operation for the Hoffa fracture,the modified HSS score was only 70.Conclusively femoral shaft fracture can be associated with ipsilateral Hoffa fracture,especially in motorcycle accident.This type of injury is very rare and misdiagnosis is common.     

Midshaft clavicle fractures with associated ipsilateral acromioclavicular joint dislocations: Incidence and risk factors

IntroductionSimultaneous ipsilateral clavicle and acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury have been infrequently reported in the literature at this time. The purpose of this study was to assess incidence as well as assess risk factors for this dual injury pattern.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database (Level III evidence), evaluating 383 adult patients without previous shoulder girdle injury or trauma with a minimum 1-year follow-up who sustained a displaced diaphyseal clavicle fracture. All patients in the study underwent either nonoperative management or surgical reduction and stabilization of a diaphyseal clavicle fracture with a plate and screw construct. Study subjects were followed with serial radiographs. Clavicle and shoulder radiographs, as well as chest radiographs and contralateral films in questionable cases, were used to assess for acromioclavicular joint injury in both operative and nonoperative groups. Additional data was collected on concurrent injuries, patient demographics, fracture characteristics, fixation techniques, surgical/post-operative data, and operative or nonoperative treatment.ResultsWe found that 13/183 (7.1%) of patients undergoing fixation of a diaphyseal clavicle fracture had an ipsilateral AC joint injury, while 13/200 (6.5%) of patients undergoing conservative management had an ipsilateral AC joint injury. Critical analysis of the data revealed that presence of ipsilateral scapular body fractures, and a likely incidental association with superior plating fixation, were associated with an increased rate of this injury pattern.ConclusionsIpsilateral clavicle fracture and AC joint injury is much more common than traditionally believed, with an incidence of 6.8% overall. It is unknown how the presence of an associated AC injury influences outcome, as AC injury was not universally symptomatic.     

Incidence and risk factors associated with infection after intramedullary nailing of femoral and tibial diaphyseal fractures: Prospective study

BackgroundDiaphyseal fractures of femur and tibia are prominent due to its high incidence and high economic and social impact. Intramedullary nailing (IN) is the surgical procedure of choice. Surgical site infection (SSI) related to this procedure is considered a difficult to treat complication.AimsDetermine the incidence of SSI after IN of femoral and tibial diaphyseal fractures and evaluate possible risk factors. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study. SSI was defined according to CDC-NHSN criteria and surveillance period for the occurrence of infection was 12 months. Incidence of SSI was calculated as the ratio between the number of patients with SSI and total number of patients. Analysis of potential risk factors included patients-related factors (age, gender, body mass index, active foci of infection, immunosuppressive conditions, ASA score, alcohol or illicit drug abuse, smoking, polytrauma, etiology of fracture, type of fracture if closed or open, classification of fracture according to Müller AO, Tcherne classification for closed fractures, Gustilo-Anderson classification for open fractures, previous surgical manipulation, use of blood products); environmental and surgical-related factors (surgical wound classification, duration of surgery, hair removal, intraoperative contamination, antimicrobial use, presence of drains, hypothermia or hypoxia in the perioperative period, type of IN used, reaming, need for soft tissue reconstruction, use of negative pressure therapy) and microbiota-related factors (cultures of nasopharyngeal swabs forStaphylococcus aureus and axillary/inguinal/perineal swab for Acinetobacter baumannii).Results221 patients were included and completed the 12-month follow-up period. Incidence of SSI was 11.8%. In the initial analysis by unadjusted logistic regression, following factors were associated SSI: Müller AO classification of the fracture morphology groups 2 or 3, previous use of external fixator, presence of drains, use of negative pressure therapy and need for muscle or skin flap repair. In the multiple logistic regression-adjusted analysis, previous use of external fixator and need for muscle or skin flap repair remained associated with SSI.ConclusionsIncidence of SSI associated with IN for femoral and tibial diaphyseal fractures was 11.8%. Previous use of external fixators and need for muscle or skin flap repair were factors associated with occurrence of infection.