Comminuted fractures of shaft of femur; bridge plate versus interlocking nail in low velocity gun shot injuries

ABSTRACT

Comminuted fracture shaft of the femur is a common entity faced by orthopaedic surgeon. Road traffic accidents are the major cause of these comminuted fractures. But with increase in violence, gun shots are also causing these fractures frequently. To see and compare the result of intrameduliary interlocking nailing and biological plating in terms of infection rate, union rate and to assess the other complications. Prospective study. Department of Orthopedic Surgery Allied Hospital Faisalabad. From Sept 2001 to Sept 2003. Forty comminuted fractures of femur were managed .twenty by bridge plating and twenty by interlocking nailing. Results were compared with reference to healing time, infection rate, operating time and hospital stay and was comparable to other studies. Closed interlocked intra-medullary nailing is an excellent method for treating comminuted femoral shaft fracture. But requires expensive equipment and more expertise. Bridge plating require no special instrumentations and can be done at periphery with less facilities available