ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of solid versus cannulated interlocking nails as a method of internal fixation in closed femoral shaft fractures in adults
Study Design: Quasi Experimental
Place and Duration of Study: Orthopaedic Department Allied Hospital, Faisalabad a teaching hospital affiliated with Punjab medical college, Faisalabad. Duration of study was from Jan 2007 to Dec 2008
Patient and Methods: The study was based on sixty cases. Thirty cases were included in either group of solid and cannulated intramedullary interlocking nails. The solid interlocking nailing group was designated as group A, the cannulated as group B. The most common cases were road traffic accidents. The average hospital stay was 6 days. The follow up time was 9 months
Results: In group A we have union time within 3 months in 26[86.66%] patients, delayed union in 3[10%] patients and non union in one patient[3.33°%].Three patients in group B[10%] went into non union, one due to deep infection, one due to implant failure and breakage of nail and one with no apparent cause. Regarding infection we had superficial infection in one patient of group A and two patients of group B which was corrected with appropriate antibiotics. No case of deep infection occurred in group A but one in group B which went into non union. Regarding implant failure, we had no implant failure in group A and four cases of implant failure in group B with one nail breakage, two distal locking screw breakage and one proximal locking screw breakage
Conclusion: The most common cause of femoral shaft fractures is road traffic accident with male adult population affected the most. There was no statistical difference in union and infection in both groups. [p value >0.05].There was significant difference in implant failure in both groups with no patient in group A and four in group B [p value <0.05]. So solid interlocking nail is stronger than cannulated one