Augmentative plate fixation for treatment of femoral atrophic nonunions subsequent to intramedullary nailing / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the operative indications and operation techniques for augmentative plate fixation in treatment of femoral shaft atrophic nonunions subsequent to intramedullary fixation. Methods Twelve femoral nonunions after internal fixation with intramedullary nailing were treated with augmentative plate internal fixation and bone graft from June 1999 to June 2008. All femoral nonunions were caused by insecure fixation of the intramedullary nailing, in which a rotational instability of the fracture site was verified in all the patients during operation. Minimally invasive removal of the granulation tissue at fracture site and the sclerotic bone was dccorticated. The adequate lilac bone was tiled longitudinally on the nonunion gap and the cortical bone bed. The fixation involved the limited-contact dynamic titanium plate with 5-6 holes, 3.0 mm Kirschner wire and 4-6 double cortex cortical screw fixation.Protective weight-bearing was given after surgery and the tunction was evaluated at 1,3, 6 and 12 months with imaging. Results All patients were followed up for 7-26 months ( average 17.4 months), which showed radiological solid union (7-12 months, average 9.4 months) and clinical union (5-9 months, average 7.1 months ). The operation lasted for 50-120 minutes ( average 77.5 minutes), with blood volume of 150-350 ml ( average 252 ml). There were nine patients with bone pain, of whom the pain was relieved within one month in seven patients and three months in two. No infection, hardware loosening or breaking were found. Conclusion The plate augmentation and cancellous bone grafting leaving the nail in situ can be an effective solution for nonisthmal femoral nonunion, bone defect and failed exchange nailing.