Replating femoral shaft fracture

ABSTRACT

Replating of the femoral shaft fracture was used in 18 patients. 16 cases were studied and 2 cases were excluded because the follow-up period was less than one year. The study comprises 7 cases with broken plate and 7 cases with pulling out of the screws and 2 cases with nonunion not associated with mechanical failure. Mild infection was found in 4 cases- In all cases revision surgery was done by replating and in 14 cases we applied autogenous cancellous iliac bone graft. Preoperative, operative and follow-up data were discussed. However we didn't study the causes of failure of previous operations. All cases showed union within an average period of 5 months after the revision surgery. Persistent mild infection was observed in the cases that were previously infected. Metal removal after bony union was performed and infection subsided. We concluded that mechanical failure or nonunion after plating of the femoral shaft fracture can by treated successfully by replating with the addition of bone graft