Comparing Outcomes of Retrograde Intramedullary Nail and Locking Plate Fixation in Distal Femoral Fractures

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#We compared the radiological and clinical results of fixation for distal femoral fracture (DFF) using a locking compression plate (LCP) or a retrograde intramedullary nail (RIN). @*Materials and Methods@#From October 2003 to February 2020, 52 cases of DFF with a minimum 1-year follow-up (with a mean follow-up of 19.1 months) were included: 31 were treated with LCP and 21 with RIN. The operation time, blood loss, and hospitalization period were compared, and the incidence of postoperative nonunion, malunion, delayed union and metal failure and other post-operative complications were evaluated and compared. @*Results@#There was no significant difference in the operating time between the two groups, but the mean blood loss was significantly higher in the LCP group (LCP 683.5 ml vs RIN; 134.9 ml; p=0.015). In 49 out of 52 cases, bone union was achieved without additional surgery in an average of 6.8 months, and a complete union was achieved after additional surgery in three cases of nonunion (LCP 2 cases vs RIN 1 case; p=0.065). One case of malunion and superficial infection was confirmed in each group. @*Conclusion@#Internal fixation using LCP and RIN give good outcomes with a low complication rate and can therefore be considered useful surgical treatments for DFF.