Fixator-assisted nailing of tibial fractures: New surgical technique and presentation of first 30 cases

Background

Intramedullary nailing is considered a “gold standard” for treatment of tibial shaft fractures. However, some types of fractures are typically considered as “difficult for nailing”. This group includes the periarticular fractures, fractures of both bones at the same level, comminuted and segmental fractures of the tibia. Fixator-assisted nailing (FAN) is an effective method treatment of these types of fractures. The main requirements for the ideal reduction device are an ease of its installation and an ability of multiplanar fracture reduction. Fixator-assisted nailing (FAN) with the use of two perpendicular to each other monolateral tubular frames perfectly meets these requirements. In this study we present this new surgical technique and the analysis of first 30 cases.

Methods

A prospective analysis was conducted for 30 patients with “difficult for nailing” tibial fractures treated with fixator-assisted nailing in our institution between September 1^st, 2017, and March 1^st, 2018. The duration of surgery and its different stages, the time of fluoroscopy, difficulties encountered during surgery, were analyzed. Clinical and radiological methods were used to evaluated reduction quality.

Results

In all 30 cases the acceptable reduction was achieved. The mean duration of the surgical procedure was 73.7?±?3?min. The mean duration of fluoroscopy 85.9?±?4.8?s. In 7 cases we faced with technical difficulties, which were successfully addressed.

Conclusion

The described technique of FAN is an effective method for the treatment of “difficult for nailing” tibial fractures. Future multi-centered studies with a larger number of patients are needed to validate our results.