[Intramedullary locking nailing. Experimental study. Surgical technic. Results]. / Enclouage centro-médullaire claveté. Etude expérimentale - Technigue operatoire - Résultats.

The authors describe a new type of intramedullary nail used mainly in the femur and or tibia. This nail can be locked by the provision of holes into which screws can be driven transversely. The technique of insertion is described and the use of ancillary devices. The advantages are that weight-bearing can be commenced early even in comminuted fractures. The method includes open reduction of the fracture and allows some compression of the fracture site. The results of a biomechanical study are given. One hundred and forty six patients have been operated on with only 2 non-unions. The authors consider that their method is superior to plating and can be applied in cases that could not be fixed by conventional nails.