Incidence of Varus Malalignment Post Interlocking Nail in Proximal Femur Shaft Fractures Comparing Two Types of Entry Points

Introduction: Osteosynthesis of the femur using an interlocking nail is the gold standard for treating diaphyseal fractures of the femur. There are two established entry points for the antegrade interlocking nails which is the piriformis fossa or the greater trochanter. It has been reported that varus malalignment was frequently seen in proximal femur fracture which were treated with interlocking nail utilizing the greater trochanter entry point. The study was done to find out if the problem was of significance. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study which included 179 patients with femur fractures which were treated from January 2013 till September 2015 in one Hospital. They were treated with interlocking nail either by utilizing the piriformis fossa (PF) or the greater trochanter (GT) entry points. Post-operative radiographs of the femur were used to measure the varus deformity. Results: Out of 179 patients, there were 5 patients who were reported to have unacceptable varus malalignment (2.79%). These 5 patients were out of the 88 (5.68%) patients utilizing the greater trochanter as the entry point. The same 5 patients were out 90 patients that were diagnosed with proximal femur shaft fractures (5.55%). Analysis with logistic regression was statistically not significant. Conclusion: There was higher rate of varus malalignment seen in proximal femur shaft fractures treated with interlocking nails utilizing the greater trochanter entry point. The incidence of varus malalignment was not significant statistically. Key Words: interlocking nail; greater trochanter entry point; varus deformity; femur shaft fracture

Delayed Pseudoaneurysm of the Femoral Artery after Intramedullary Nailing of a Femur Shaft Fracture / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Interlocked intramedullary nailing is widely accepted for treatment of closed femoral shaft fractures. An interlocking screw is inserted percutaneously, and especially the distal screw is inserted without use of a guide. Vascular complications associated with an interlocking screw in intramedullary nailing are rare. No case of delayed pseudoaneurysm caused by a distal interlocking screw has yet been reported in Korea. We present two cases of delayed pseudoaneurysm caused by a distal interlocking screw several months after intramedullary nailing.

Repeated Metal Breakage in a Femoral Shaft Fracture with Lateral Bowing: A Case Report

Fractures of the femoral shaft with marked bowing face some obstacles in fixation of the fracture such as difficulty in insertion of the intramedullary nail (IM nail) or exact contouring plate. Locking compression plates (LCP) are an option to manage this problem. However, we experienced consecutive breakage of LCP twice and IM nail once in an 80-year-old female. Finally, union of the fracture was achieved after fixation of the IM nail and additional plate together. Fractures of the femur shaft with marked bowing are thought to have different biomechanical properties; therefore, we present this case with a review of the literature.

The Fate of Butterfly Fragments in Extremity Shaft Comminuted Fractures Treated with Closed Interlocking Intramedullary Nailing

PURPOSE: For conservative treatment of shaft fractures, the butterfly fragments that were somewhat larger in the closed intra-medullary (IM) nailing. The results of treatment were monitored using radiography separately for the weight-bearing femur and non-weight-bearing humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 27 from Group I and 31 from Group II. In the two groups, the displacement and angulation changes in the fragments, and the degree of improvement of these two factors, were compared using follow-up radiography. RESULTS: The mean angulation of fragments in Groups I and II were 9.2degrees and 9.6degrees, and the mean degree of displacement of the fragments in Groups I and II were 16.7 mm and 21.2 mm, respectively. Follow-up radiography showed that the above factors improved in both groups. The degree of displacement was significantly lower in the normal cases than in the complicated cases (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Displacement and angulation gradually improved in both groups. It was found that the degree of displacement after the initial reduction is more important than the influence of anatomical position or weight bearing. This indicates that care should be taken when inserting IM nails to prevent displacement or angulation.

Treatment of Femoral Shaft Fracture with Interlocking Humeral Nail in Older Children and Adolescent

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of interlocking humeral nail for femur shaft fractures through the greater trochanter in older children and adolescent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven femoral shaft fractures in ten patients were selected. They were consisted of 9 boys and 1 girl. Two patients had osteogenesis imperfecta and one patient had a simple bone cyst as an underlying disease. 7 cases were right side and 4 cases were left side. The mean age at the time of operation was 12 years and 7 months (8 years 11 months~15 years 7 months). The mean follow-up period was 21 months and interlocking humeral nail was inserted at the greater trochanter in all patients. RESULTS: All patients had a complete bony union without any complication such as infection, nonunion, leg length discrepancy and metal failure. Avascular necrosis of femoral head and coxa valga were not developed in all patients. CONCLUSION: Intramedullary nailing through the greater trochanter using interlocking humeral nail is effective and safe treatment for the femoral shaft fracture in older children and adolescents.

The Treatment of IM Nailing of Femoral Shaft Fracture: Piriformis Fossa versus Trochanteric Entry Portal

PURPOSE: To compare the results of IM nailing of femur shaft fractures using trochanteric and piriformis fossa entry portal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 37 patients were treated with IM nail using Trochanteric (Trochanter group: TG, n=17) and piriformis fossa entry portal (piriformis group: PG, n=20) and were followed from February 2004 to 2007. The outcomes were assessed based on the clinical and radiographic findings. RESULTS: The functional result, ROM and union time were similar in both groups. The alignment was similar in both groups but PG showed variable alignment in proximal 1/3. Incision was larger in PG (PG=8.7 cm, TG=5.8 cm, p0.05), there was statistically significant difference in overweight groups (PG=125 minutes, TG=90 minutes, p<0.05). Blood loss was 313 cc in PG, 268 cc in TG and less in TG in overweight patients (p<0.05). There was 5.7degrees of varus angulation in PG, 2 nonunion cases in both groups. CONCLUSION: The femoral nail specially designed for trochanteric insertion resulted in high union rates, low complication rates similar to conventional nail and the trochanteric nail can be the alternative choice especially in proximal femur fracture and overweight patients.

The Comparison of LC-DCP versus LCP Fixation in the Plate Augmentation for the Nonunion of Femur Shaft Fractures after Intramedullary Nail Fixation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical treatment through the comparison of LC-DCP (Limited Contact-Dynamic Compression Plate) versus LCP (Locking Compression Plate) fixation in the plate augmentation for the nonunion of femur shaft fractures after intramedullary nail fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with the nonunion of femur shaft fractures after intramedullary nail fixation who underwent plate augmentation were evaluated from Mar. 2001 to Sept. 2005. The group with LC-DCP augmentation was done bicortical screw fixation and the group with LCP was done monocortical fixation. RESULTS: There was one case of nail breakage in LC-DCP group, but sound bony union were achieved uneventfully in all the cases of both group. LCP fixation was slightly superior to LC-DCP fixation in view of the bony union time, operating time, postoperative Hb down, amount of postoperative transfusion, but there was no statistical difference (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: We got the satisfactory results after monocortical LCP augmentation as well as bicortical LC-DCP fixation and have concluded that monocortical LCP fixation was an effective treatment option for nonunion of femur shaft fracture occurred after Intrmedullary nail fixation.

Cause and Treatment of the Nonunion of Femoral Shaft Fracture after Interlocking Intramedullary Nailing

PURPOSE: To analyze the causes and the clinical results of treatment for the nonunion of femur shaft fractures that occurred after interlocking intramedullary nail fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 19 cases of aseptic nonunion of femur shaft fracture in 174 patients after interlocking IM nailing from March 1999 to February 2004 and followed up for more than one year. First we investigated the factors causing nonunion. For operative options, two methods about exchange nailing and exchange nailing with bone graft were performed. Finally clinical results were analyzed with bone union rate by treatment methods and compared with the nonunion factors statistically. RESULTS: According to the causes and types of nonunion, we performed larger IM nail change in 10 cases and IM nail change with bone graft in 9 cases. Bone union was achieved in all cases. Average bone union period were 18.5 weeks in exchange group and 16.1 weeks in exchange with bone graft group. There are significant difference between treatment methods statistically (p<0.05). Compared with the nonunion factors, initial open fracture and smoking groups showed late union rate statistically. CONCLUSION: Based on our analysis, IM nail change is a useful method for nonunion after initial IM nailing in femoral shaft fracture, and additional bone graft that according to the radiologic pattern and stability, especially the fracture gap is also a useful option for nonunion treatment.

The Incidence of Infection in Interlocking Intramedullary Nailing after Skeletal Traction of Distal Femur

PURPOSE: The insertion site of K-wire for skeletal traction is proximal part of tibia or distal part of femur. However, people prefer proximal tibia over distal femur due to lower risk of infection rate when change to interlocking IM nailing is needed. We evaluated the infection rate of interlocking IM nailing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourty-seven patients were included in this study who underwent interlocking IM nailing due to femur shaft fracture. Traction was applied at the distal femur in 19 cases and proximal tibia in 10 cases before interlocking IM nailing. No skeletal traction was applied to the remaining 18 cases. Thirty-eight patients were male and 9 were female. The average age at the time of surgery was 36.7 years old (range, 15~17 years). The average traction period was 9.5 days (range, 3~33 days) and the average followed-up period was 17.2 months. RESULTS: In the distal femoral traction group, 8 cases of superficial pin tract infection developed, but no case of deep infection such as osteomyelitis occurred. In the proximal tibia traction group, 2 cases of superficial pin tract infection developed, but no case of deep infection occurred. In the group that received no skeletal traction before interlocking IM nailing, no case of infection developed. CONCLUSION: In femur shaft fracture, the distal femoral skeletal traction followed by interlocking IM nailing of femur, compared to proximal tibia skeletal traction, did not increase the risk of deep infection such as osteomyelitis.

Remodelling of Angular Deformity in Split Russel Traction for Femoral Shaft Fractures in Children / 대한정형외과학회잡지

We reviewed 40 cases of femoral shaft fractures in children treated with split Russel traction and initial fracture angulation above 10 degree. The treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children is various according to age. Satisfactory results have been reported with split-Russel traction. At an average follow-up of 33 months, we obtained following results about remodelling of fracture site & physeal site, possible acceptable angulation of fracture. 1. The average time of traction was 18 days, and hip spica cast was applied for 28 days. 2. Malunion within 25degrees in flexion & 23degrees in valgus & 24degrees in varus was well corrected spontaneously. 3. Average correction of initial angular deformity was 86% at last follow up. 4. Anterior angulation was corrected at 83%, varus 87%, valgus 88%. 5. Remodelling according to direction of deformity was no statistical correlation (P>0.05), and then spontaneous correction of angular deformity was same without relation to direction of deformity. 6. Remodelling according to site was statistical correlation (P<0.05), fracture site 26%, physes 74%. And proximal physes 36%, distal physes 38%.

Spontaneous Correction of the Angular Deformity after Femoral Shaft Fractures in Children: Preliminery Report / 대한정형외과학회잡지

We reviewed 14 children with unilateral fractures of femoral shaft who had an angular deformity after union of 10° to 25°. At an average follow-up of 32 months(15 to 65), we measured remodelling of the proximal physis, the distal physis and the femoral shaft. The average correction was 83% of the initial deformity and there was no relation between the remodelling rate and degrees of malunion. Of the correction of angulation, only 27% had occurred at the fracture site and 73% at physis. The ability of physis to remodel better than that of fracture site. In children under 13 years of age, malunion as much as 25° in flexion deformity will remodel enough to get normal alignment of the joint surfaces.

Treatment of Fractures of the Adult Femurs with Compression Plates / 대한정형외과학회잡지

It is generally accepted that fractures should be treated by closed methods, however for certain femoral fractures in adults, closed methods yields an unacceptable high incidence of nounlon, malunion, delayed unlon, and disability. For these fractures various methods of open reduction and internal fixation have been recommended, but unfortunately, there are frequent reports of complications and failures. The recently developed association for study of Internal fixation (ASIF) compression plating apparatus, seems to satisfy the basic objectives of internal flxatlons: namely