Unreamed intramedullary nailing for pathological femoral fractures : Good results in 30 cases

We have used the AO unreamed femoral nail for stabilization of impending and complete pathological fractures since March 1994.

27 patients with 30 pathological fractures (23) or impending fractures (7) of the femur were retrospectively analyzed. These included 18 subtrochanteric fractures, 11 shaft fractures and 1 distal fracture. The mean age of the patients was 68 (51-84) years. All patients were treated with a solid femoral nail inserted by an unreamed technique. The nail was inserted through a minimally invasive approach and with a median surgical time of 55 (35-70) minutes. A reconstructive proximal locking option (spiral blade) was used in 25 cases.

There were no intraoperative complications, no operative mortality. Reliable skeletal stability was obtained in all cases and most were able to mobilize early with minimum discomfort. 1 case was revised for a secondary fracture through a distal metastasis at 6 months. The median survival was 5 (2-9) months. Unreamed nailing with the AO solid femoral nail appears to be a good option for the stabilization of pathological femoral fractures.     

Retrospective analysis of healing problems after reamed and unreamed nailing of femoral shaft fractures

168 fractures of the femoral shaft treated by intramedullary nailing were analyzed retrospectively. From 1986-1992 116 fractures had been treated with the reamed AO universal nail (RFN) and from 1993-1996 52 fractures with the AO unreamed femoral nail (UFN). In 24% of the RFN-group and in 2% of the UFN-group (p < 0.0001) open reduction of the fracture had been necessary. The time to radiological consolidation was similar in both groups (18.1 weeks +/- 6.1 vs. 18.3 weeks +/- 5.7, [mean +/- SD]). Delayed unions were less frequent in the RFN-group than in the UFN-group (3% vs. 13%, p = 0.01). Non-unions occurred in the RFN-group in 4%, in the UFN-group in 8%, the difference is not statistically significant (p = 0.46). Fractures with impaired consolidation (delayed-unions and non-unions) in the RFN group were distributed randomly along the femoral diaphysis, whereas all 11 fractures with retarded healing in the UFN group were short transverse or oblique fractures localized immediately distal to the femoral isthmus. We believe that there is mainly a mechanical reason for this phenomen, in addition to fracture type and fracture localization the (insufficient) length of the unreamed nails might have impaired stability further. The different factors should be investigated in larger series. As a consequence we now treat transverse and short oblique fractures of diaphyseal femoral fractures distal to the femoral isthmus with a RFN whereas in other types and localizations of diaphyseal femoral fractures we continue to use the UFN with special attention to maximal nail diameter and length.     

Anterograde femoral nail for the treatment of femoral metastases

Introduction  Intramedullary nailing is a common technique for the treatment of impending and pathological fractures of the femur due to bone metastases when diaphysis or metadiaphysis is involved. Reconstructive nailing is currently used in the treatment of subtrochanteric involvements for reducing the risk of fracture above the nail. The aim of this study is to assess the results of a consecutive series of 13 impending or complete femoral fractures due to metastastic localization treated with anterograde femoral nail (Synthes). Patients and methods  Thirteen cases of femoral metastases in patients afflicted by multiple bone localization were considered in this series. Indications were femoral fracture or prophilactic stabilization in the case of osteolysis with a fracture risk defined according to Mirels’ criteria. Titanium anterograde femoral nail was used in all the cases. The proximal part was 17 mm in diameter in all the cases; nail diameter ranged from 10 to 12 mm, and nail was distally locked with two screws inserted in a static mode. Biopsy for confirming the diagnosis was routinely performed. Nail was locked with two distal screws inserted in a static mode and two proximal full screws with recon mode. Discussion  The improvement of the quality of life, with no mechanical problems (screw breakage or implant failure), was observed in this series. Two patients died within 6 months after operation; the others were alive at the time of follow-up (maximum follow-up of 16 months). Results  Results confirmed that intramedullary reconstructive-locked nailing is the treatment of choice in plurimetastatic patients afflicted by impending/or complete femoral fracture. These results suggest that reconstructive nailing using an AFN may be considered a useful strategy for the treatment of diaphyseal and metaphyseal femoral metastatic lesions.     

Contributing factors affecting initial bony healing in interlocking nailings for femoral shaft fractures

The objective of this study was to evaluate bony healing and predict factors affecting bony healing of femoral fractures treated with interlocking nailing (ILN) in static or dynamic conditions, and in reamed or unreamed procedures. Seventy-four femoral fractures (69 patients) were initially stabilized with ILNs in static condition. Among these fractures, ten static ILNs were dynamized after approximately 6 (median 6.4, range 1–13) months because of poor fracture healing. Reamed ILNs were performed for 55 fractures and unreamed ILNs for 19 fractures. Clinical and roentgenograhic processes were analyzed with emphasis on whether or not ILNs were dynamized. To evaluate any significant contributing factors affecting the nonunion of femoral shaft fractures treated with ILNs, logistic regression analysis was done. The union rates of static ILNs and dynamized ILNs were 92% (59/64) and 70% (7/10) respectively, but there was no significant difference between them. Five nonunions were seen in reamed ILNs and three in unreamed ILNs. The predictive logistic regression equation for nonunion was as follows: Log 1-p/p=1.05 -1.20 × AO/ASIF fracture grade in the femur -3.07 × existence of multiskeletal trauma in lower extremity + 0.06 × age -1.11 × smoking history -0.3 × existence of polytrauma -0.626 × the severity of soft tissue injury ( p=0.002; each variable in the above equation was arranged according to the significant order). Among the variables, AO fracture grade (type C) in the femur and existence of multiskeletal trauma in lower extremity were significantly related to nonunion. Static ILN in most femoral shaft fractures does not inhibit the process of fracture healing. The following associated skeletal lesions were our concerns for nonunion and broken nail in static or dynamic ILNs: (1) C-type femoral fracture; and (2) existence of multiskeletal trauma, such as double lesions in the ipsilateral femur, floating knee injury, and bilateral femoral fractures.     

Unreamed femoral nailing

Sixty one femoral fractures treated with ACE unreamed titanium nail (AIM femoral nail, ACE Medical, Los Angeles, CA) were studied. Ten patients died before bony union and three were lost to follow up. Forty eight fractures were followed up for an average of 11.2 months (4-31 months). All fractures united except one in which plating and bone grafting was performed at 6 months due to failure of progression of union. The mean time to bony union was 6.2 months. There was no implant failure but one distal interlocking bolt broke at 6 weeks. No incidence of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was observed. Malunion was seen in one patient whereas three cases had shortening of more than 2 cm. Our results show that unreamed femoral nailing using titanium nail is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures.     

股骨髁上逆向交锁髓内钉在股骨远端骨折中的应用

介绍用股骨髁上逆向交锁髓内钉治疗股骨远端骨折的方法与优点。方法 应用股骨髁上逆向交锁髓内钉治疗２９例患者（３０个股骨）。结论 股骨髁上逆向交锁钉的应用扩大了髓内钉手术适应证,具有操作简便,固定牢靠,锁钉定位准确等优点,是治疗股骨远端骨折的有效方法。     

Die Behandlung hypertropher distaler Tibiapseudarthrosen mit perkutan eingebrachten winkelstabilen Implantaten

Hypertrophic nonunions of the distal, dia-/metaphyseal tibial shaft are still considered to be a problematic challenge. The use of a locking plate system (LCP) as an alternative treatment option was evaluated in these nonunions. This retrospective, nonrandomized study included four male patients (mean age 52.5 years) with hypertrophic nonunions of the distal dia-/metaphyseal tibial shaft treated with a locking compression plate (LCP) by percutaneous technique. The following parameters were evaluated: fracture type (AO), primary fracture care, operation technique of the nonunion, healing of the nonunion, ability to work, complications, and clinical result (function of the upper ankle joint). Primarily, there were 3 cases of open fractures. Three fractures were located in the dia-/metaphyseal region and primarily treated with an unreamed tibial nail (UTN), while 1 open metaphyseal fracture was treated with an external fixator. The mean interval between injury and operation of the nonunion was 9.1 (4.4-12) months. All nonunions healed within 3 (2-4) months. The mean clinical and radiological follow-up was 11.5 (9-14) months. All patients were able to work within an average of 2.3 months. The function of the upper ankle joint was unrestricted in 3 cases, and in 1 case there was a mild functional deficit. The use of an interlocking plate for the management of hypertrophic nonunions of the distal tibial shaft represents a reliable, new treatment option.     

Management of distal femoral fractures in elderly patients using retrograde titanium supracondylar nails

We present our experience with a retrograde supracondylar nail used for the management of fractures of the distal femur in elderly patients. Eighteen fractures of the distal femur in 18 patients were treated with AIM titanium supracondylar nails. Sixteen patients with a median age of 83 years (62-100 years) were finally available for review. All 16 fractures were classified as extra-articular type A according to the AO classification. The average operative time was 58 min. Follow up ranged between 4 and 35 months (average 20.4 months). Fifteen fractures (93.7%) united in an average duration of 3.6 months. The average range of motion achieved at the knee was 100. 6 degrees. There were no implant failures, knee sepsis or wound healing problems. One non-union and two stress fractures of the femur above the nail were the main complications in this series.We concluded that the AIM titanium supracondylar nail is a useful alternative implant for the management of the osteoporotic fractures of the distal femur particularly the extra-articular AO type A fracture in the elderly population.     

Computational comparison of reamed versus unreamed intramedullary tibial nails.

We compared, via a computational model, the biomechanical performance of reamed versus unreamed intramedullary tibial nails to treat fractures in three different locations: proximal, mid-diaphyseal, and distal. Two finite element models were analyzed for the two nail types and the three kinds of fractures. Several biomechanical variables were determined: interfragmentary strains in the fracture site, von Mises stresses in nails and bolts, and strain distributions in the tibia and fibula. Although good mechanical stabilization was achieved in all the simulated fractures, the best results were obtained in the proximal fracture for the unreamed nail and in the mid-diaphyseal and distal fractures for the reamed nail. The interlocking bolts, in general, were subjected to higher stresses in the unreamed tibial nail than in the reamed one; thus the former stabilization technique is more likely to fail due to fatigue.     

股骨远端骨折的外科治疗

目的:探讨股骨远端骨折手术治疗的方法和临床疗效。方法选择股骨远端骨折手术治疗37例,根据AO/A S IF分型,A型8例,B型9例,C型20例,分别采用股骨髁支持钢板、L-梯形钢板、逆行带锁髓内钉、拉力螺钉进行固定,术后随访6个月~8年。结果6例骨折不愈合、3例出现化脓性骨和膝关节感染、3例出现钢板断裂。根据K olm enrt股骨远端功能评定标准,优17例,良14例,一般2例,差4例,优良率83.7%。结论手术治疗股骨远端骨折能最大限度获得骨折复位和膝关节功能的恢复,临床疗效满意,是治疗股骨远端骨折较理想的方法。     

Gamma nail vs compression screw for trochanteric femoral fractures: 15 reoperations in a prospective, randomized study of 378 patients

A total of 378 trochanteric and subtrochanteric femoral fractures were randomized to treatment with Gamma nail (177) or Hip Compression Screw (HCS) (201). After a median follow-up time of 17 (10-27) months, 15 patients needed reoperations; 13 had been treated with Gamma nail and 2 with HCS. 10 patients, all treated with Gamma nail, were reoper-ated because of a femoral shaft fracture. 5 of these fractures occurred 8 (4-10) days postoperatively and were related to intraoperative complications. The other 5 shaft fractures occurred a median of 2 (1-3) months postoperatively after falls, and may be related to stress concentration at the tip of the solid nail. The lag screw cut out or penetrated the femoral head in 5 patients, 3 of them treated with Gamma nail and 2 with HCS.     

Unreamed femoral nail with spiral blade in subtrochanteric fractures: experience of 55 cases

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of the unreamed femoral nail with spiral blade (UFN-SB) in the treatment of subtrochanteric femoral fractures. DESIGN: A retrospective review of a consecutive series of 55 fractures. Fourteen patients had metastatic disease (four had prophylactic nailing). RESULTS: In five fractures, the UFN-SB failed: there was migration in three cases and breakage of the spiral blade in two cases, with breakage of the nail in two cases. Revision surgery was necessary in four cases. Five out of seven complications related to the spiral blade were seen in patients with a Seinsheimer fracture Type IIC or V. All other fractures healed within 1 year including those that needed revision surgery. In two cases the end result was THR. CONCLUSIONS: No complication was observed in pathological fractures, which may be because of a high mortality in the first 4 months after surgery due to co morbidity. The main advantage of the nail seems to be its ease of use. It can be inserted through a small incision. The options in spiral blade angle insertion make it a very versatile implant. The implant should probably not be used in Type IIC or V (Seinsheimer) fractures.     

The Holland nail: a universal implant for fractures of the proximal femur and the femoral shaft

OBJECTIVE: To study the possibilities and outcomes for hip and femoral fractures treated with the universal Holland nail((R)). DESIGN: Retrospective study from November 1998 to December 2001. SETTING: Department of Traumatology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam. SUBJECTS: 112 patients with 115 fractures of the proximal femur and/or the femoral shaft, due to traumatic causes or to metastatic disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Implant possibilities of the Holland nail((R)) and observed complications. RESULTS: 110 patients presented for primary fracture treatment. Two patients were treated secondarily. In three patients, both femora were fractured. Nineteen patients suffered a pathological (impending) fracture. During operation we dealt with 27 minor difficulties. Postoperatively, in 80% of the cases full weight-bearing was allowed. Three patients developed wound infection. In follow-up, 14 patients were lost and two died. The remaining 77 patients (80 fractures) were available for follow-up with regard to fracture healing. Overall consolidation was achieved in 89% of the patients within 12 months. Two patients developed perforation of the femoral head, necessitating removal of the hip screws, and in two patients failure of the nail was seen. Overall, 19 patients needed a non-planned secondary intervention, of which 12 were deemed a minor procedure (e.g. 'dynamisation by distal screw removal'). CONCLUSION: The Holland nail((R)) is technically easy to use for any type of hip and femoral-shaft fracture.     

Prospective randomized study of reamed versus unreamed femoral intramedullary nailing: an assessment of procedures

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the procedure of unreamed femoral nailing is simpler, faster, and safer than reamed femoral intramedullary nailing. DESIGN: Prospective randomized. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred femoral shaft fractures without significant concomitant injuries admitted to an academic Level 1 urban trauma center. INTERVENTION: Stabilization of the femoral shaft fracture using a reamed or unreamed technique. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The surgical time, estimated blood loss, fluoroscopy time, and perioperative complications were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: One hundred patients with 100 femoral shaft fractures were correctly prospectively randomized to the study. Thirty-seven patients received reamed and sixty-three patients received unreamed nails. All nails were interlocked proximally and distally. The average surgical time for the reamed nail group was 138 minutes and for unreamed nail group was 108 minutes (p = 0.012). The estimated blood loss for the reamed nail group was 278 milliliters and for the unreamed nail group 186 milliliters (p = 0.034). Reamed intramedullary nailing required an average of 4.72 minutes, whereas unreamed nailing required 4.29 minutes of fluoroscopy time. Seven perioperative complications occurred in the reamed nail group and eighteen in the unreamed nail group. Two patients in the unreamed group required an early secondary procedure. Iatrogenic comminution of the fracture site occurred during three reamed and six unreamed intramedullary nailings. Reaming of the canal was required before the successful placement of three nails in the unreamed group because of canal/nail diameter mismatch. CONCLUSIONS: Unreamed femoral intramedullary nailing involves fewer steps and is significantly faster with less intraoperative blood loss than reamed intramedullary nailing. The unreamed technique, however, was associated with a higher incidence of perioperative complications, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.5).     

Fatigue failure of an AO spiral blade

We report an unusual case of a femoral neck stress fracture leading to the fatigue failure of an AO spiral blade. An unreamed femoral nail with a spiral blade was inserted to treat an unstable subtrochanteric femoral fracture, which lead to fracture union at 5 months. Eight months post-operatively the patient started to complain of left hip pain. Serial radiographs revealed progressive osteoporosis of the proximal femur possibly due to the stress sharing effect of a stiff intramedullary device, which continued to bear a significant amount of the transmitted load. The cause of pain was a stress fracture of the femoral neck and the AO spiral blade, which only became radiologically visible 4 months after the start of the symptoms (1 year after the initial operation). The implant was removed and replaced by a cemented hemiarthroplasty. This case reaffirms the difficulty in diagnosing a stress fracture through a metallic implant. The delay in diagnosis may be shortened if stress fracture were included as an expected complication following an intramedullary nailing. Received: 20 July 1998     

The use of the unreamed AO femoral intramedullary nail with spiral blade in nonpathologic fractures of the femur: experiences with eighty consecutive cases

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the unreamed femoral nail with spiral blade (UFN-SB) in the treatment of nonpathologic subtrochanteric and segmental femoral fractures. DESIGN: Prospective follow-up of eighty consecutive fractures in eighty patients still alive at least ten months after the operation. SETTING: Academic teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Eighty patients with a subtrochanteric or segmental femoral fracture. Excluded were patients with pathologic fractures and those who died within ten months of the operation. INTERVENTION: Unreamed femoral nail with spiral blade. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and radiographic examination. RESULTS: In seventeen fractures, the UFN-SB failed before bony union (21 percent): bending of the spiral blade, five times; migration, nine times; and breakage, three times. Revision surgery was necessary in seven cases (9 percent). All complications except one were observed in elderly women with a Seinsheimer fracture type IIC or V. Nevertheless, all fractures healed within one year, including those that needed revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: There is predictive value of the Seinsheimer classification as to outcome using UFN-SB. The UFN-SB is an option for the treatment of subtrochanteric or segmental fractures of the femur, especially in patients with a good quality of bone. The complications using this device are not caused by the learning curve, but by the characteristics of the implant and the type of fracture for which it is used. The implant should not be used in elderly women with a reversed oblique fracture or a subtrochanteric fracture with an intertrochanteric component.     

股骨重建钉治疗复杂性股骨骨折

目的:探讨股骨重建钉治疗股骨复杂性骨折的临床疗效。方法:复杂性股骨骨折患者28例,男20例,女8例;年龄31~79岁,平均46岁。闭合性骨折24例,开放性骨折4例。采用Austofix股骨重建钉固定,股骨颈保持15°前倾角置入拉力螺钉,用三维瞄准器锁定远折端。结果:28例均获随访,随访时间5~27个月,平均11·7个月。按马元璋评定标准,优14例,良10例,可4例,未发生股骨头坏死等并发症。结论:股骨重建钉是目前治疗复杂性股骨骨折的有效方法。     

The treatment of fractures of the femoral shaft with the Brooker-Wills distal locking intramedullary nail

Ninety-two fractures of the femoral shaft in eighty-five patients were followed after treatment with the Brooker-Wills distal locking intramedullary nail. Twenty-one (22.8 per cent) of the fractures were open and seventy-one (77.2 per cent) were closed; 84.8 per cent of the fractures were comminuted. All but one fracture united, in a mean time of 4.4 months. Four fractures healed with mild angulation, and three had shortening of more than one but less than two centimeters. Significant rotatory deformities did not occur. No patient required postoperative traction or external stabilization, and all but five patients regained a normal range of motion of the ipsilateral hip and knee. There were intraoperative technical problems in eleven patients (12.0 per cent) and postoperative complications in eighteen patients (19.6 per cent), including fourteen patients (15.2 per cent) with pulmonary emboli, infection, or heterotopic bone at the site of the insertion of the nail. Five patients (5.4 per cent) had postoperative complications that were directly related to the proximal and distal fixation of the nail. There was one non-union (1.1 per cent). No problems were encountered with removal of the nail. The Brooker-Wills distal locking intramedullary nail proved to be an effective device for the stabilization of fractures of the femoral shaft. The use of this modified Küntscher nail with both proximal and distal fixation has been successful in preventing clinically significant femoral angulation, malrotation, and shortening and has allowed early mobilization of the patient.     

Treatment of femoral shaft aseptic nonunion associated with broken distal locked screws and shortening

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study investigated the treatment of femoral shaft aseptic nonunions associated with broken distal locked screws and shortening. METHODS: In this study, 11 femoral shaft aseptic nonunions associated with both broken distal locked screws and shortening in 11 consecutive adult patients were treated. All nonunions were associated with at least 1.5 cm (range, 1.5-3.5 cm) shortening. These nonunions were treated by removal of locked nails, one-stage femoral lengthening, static locked nail stabilization, and corticocancellous bone graft supplementation. Postoperatively, ambulation with protected weightbearing was encouraged as early as possible. RESULTS: Ten nonunions were followed up for a median of 4.1 years (range, 1.8-5.5 years), and nine fractures healed at a median of 4 months (range, 3-6 months). The nonunion case had broken locked screws again at 5 months and was treated with exchange nailing. The fracture healed uneventfully at 4 months. No other complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The key to removal of broken screws is withdrawal of the nail slightly to release the incarcerated broken screw end. The screw end then is pushed out with a used Knowles' pin or a smaller screwdriver under image intensifier guidance. Concomitant one-stage femoral lengthening to treat nonunion with shortening has a high success rate.     

Transesophageal echocardiography in quantification of emboli during femoral nailing: reamed versus unreamed techniques

We quantified the embolic load to the lungs created with two different techniques of femoral nailing. Eleven patients with 12 traumatic femur fractures were randomized to reamed (7 fractures) and unreamed (5 fractures) groups. Intramedullary nailing was with the AO/ASIF* universal reamed or unreamed nail. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was used to evaluate the quantity and quality of emboli generated by nailing. Data were analyzed using software that digitized the TEE images and quantified the area of embolic particles in each frame. The duration of each level of embolic phenomena (zero, moderate, severe) was used to determine total embolic load with various steps (fracture manipulation, proximal portal opening, reaming, and nail passage). Manual grading of emboli correlated highly with software quantification. Our data confirm the presence and similarity of emboli generation with both methods of intramedullary nailing. Unreamed nails do not protect the patient from pulmonary embolization of marrow contents.