Unreamed interlocking nail for management of recent diaphyseal tibial fractures

ABSTRACT

Different methods were described for treatment of closed and open fractures of the tibial diaphysis, yet each method has its own pros and cons. Interlocking tibial nails had proved to be an effective and superior to other methods of fixation of the tibial shaft with the lowest rate of complications. Unreamed interlocking nails had advantages in that they cause less thermal and mechanical impairment of cortical and medullary cavity circulation. In this study, 3 types of nails were used [Richard's Russell and Taylor, Biomet-Klemm and Schellman, and Orthofix] without reaming in 22 patients. The Orthofix nail with its distal aiming device reduced both the surgical and the irradiation exposure times. There was 100% union rate, this was superior to the reported results with the reaming techniques. Statistical results revealed that there was significant relation between age of the patient and time needed for fracture union, and that the distal aiming device technique took significantly shorter operative time than free hand technique