Acumed intramedullary nailing for AO type A3 forearm diaphyseal fracture in adults / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of Acumed intramedullary nailing for AO type A3 forearm diaphyseal fracture in adults.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 20 adult patients with AO type A3 forearm diaphyseal fracture who had been treated by Acumed intramedullary nailing from January 2016 to November 2018 at PLA General Hospital. They were 18 males and 2 females, aged from 18 to 56 years (average, 36.5 years). There were 6 radius diaphyseal fractures, 9 ulna diaphyseal fractures and 5 diaphyseal fractures of both forearm bones. The clinical outcomes of Acumed intramedullary nailing for AO type A3 forearm diaphyseal fractures were evaluated by recording the perioperative complications, fracture union time, forearm rotation range at 12-month follow-up, and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) scores for the upper limb function.Results:The 20 patients were followed up for 12 to 18 months (mean, 15.8 months). Bony union was achieved in all the patients after 3 to 4 months (average, 3.3 months). Partial rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon happened during operation in one patient and at 3 months post-operation in another due to fixation irritation, and linear ossification of interosseous membranes was observed in one patient with diaphyseal fractures of both forearm bones. 12-month follow-ups showed that, in the 20 patients, forearm pronation ranged from 80° to 90° (average, 89°), supination from 60° to 90° (average, 86.3°) and DASH scores from 0 to 37 (average, 6.5).Conclusions:In the treatment of AO type A3 forearm diaphyseal fracture in adults, Acumed intramedullary nailing can lead to successful fracture union and excellent rotational activity at one year after operation. Therefore, adult AO type A3 forearm diaphyseal fracture can be listed as an indication for Acumed intramedullary nailing.