Reamed intramedullary interlocking nail for open tibial shaft fractures: friend or foe

ABSTRACT

Thirty seven open fractures of the tibial shaft were treated with reamed intramedullary Interlocking nailing in 37 patients. All patients had a minimum of one year follow-up. The Internal ftxation was indicated because of a factor related either to the patient or to the fracture. There were 29 male patients and 8 female patients. Their mean age was 34 years [range, 18-55 years]. All cases were unilateral, 14 on left and 23 on right side. Most of the fractures were the result of high-energy trauma. There were 22 fractures [59.45%] Grade I and 15 fractures [40.55%] Grade II open fractures. Non were Grade III open fracture. There was no associated neurovascular injury. Mean time for fractures union was 25.2 weeks. It was 21.4 weeks for Grade I fractures and 29.5 weeks for Grade II fractures. Satisfactory results were gained in 32 fractures [86.4%]. Non union complicated 3 fractures and mal-union complicated 2 fractures. Infection occurred in 3 fractures, one superficial and 2 deep. Compartment syndrome was recorded in 2 fractures. No implant failure was recorded. From this study, it was observed that reamed locking intramedullary nailing could be safe and effective method for management of open tibial shaft fractures Grade I and II. It provided adequate stabilization of the fractures through bone-nail surface contact with low complication rate