A comparative study of two treatment approaches on femoral shaft fractures of polytrauma patients / 中国综合临床

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the effect of two different treatment approaches on femoral shaft fractures in polytrauma patients.Methods One hundred and forty-eight polytrauma patients were selected as our subjects,who were hospitalized from Jan.2000 to Dec.2009.They were randomly divided into cast group and external fixation group.Patients in cast group were fixed with cast within the first 24 h after the injury and patients in external fixation group were stabilized with a unilateral external fix stent within the first 24 h after the injury.Results In cast group,71 of 75 patients were followed up and follow up periods was 26.4 months.Follow up data showed that 18 patients developed multiple organ failure (MOF) and 26 patients developed ARDS.The average healed periods was 5.9 month.Three patients developed nonunion and 4 cases developed wound infection.The average of the knee motion angle was 107 degrees (60 to 110 degrees).In external fixation group,68 patients were followed up and the follow-up period was 27.5 months.Of which,13 patients developed MOF and 12 patients developed ARDS.The average healed periods was 5.6 months.2 patients developed nonunion and 3 cases developed for.wound infection.The average of the knee motion angle was 120 degrees (60 to 140 degrees).Conclusion The damage control orthopedics surgery was proved as a safe and effective treatment approach for fractures of the shaft of the femur in selected multiply injured patients compared with cast methods.