Prospective randomized study of reamed versus unreamed femoral intramedullary nailing: an assessment of procedures

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the procedure of unreamed femoral nailing is simpler, faster, and safer than reamed femoral intramedullary nailing. DESIGN: Prospective randomized. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred femoral shaft fractures without significant concomitant injuries admitted to an academic Level 1 urban trauma center. INTERVENTION: Stabilization of the femoral shaft fracture using a reamed or unreamed technique. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The surgical time, estimated blood loss, fluoroscopy time, and perioperative complications were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: One hundred patients with 100 femoral shaft fractures were correctly prospectively randomized to the study. Thirty-seven patients received reamed and sixty-three patients received unreamed nails. All nails were interlocked proximally and distally. The average surgical time for the reamed nail group was 138 minutes and for unreamed nail group was 108 minutes (p = 0.012). The estimated blood loss for the reamed nail group was 278 milliliters and for the unreamed nail group 186 milliliters (p = 0.034). Reamed intramedullary nailing required an average of 4.72 minutes, whereas unreamed nailing required 4.29 minutes of fluoroscopy time. Seven perioperative complications occurred in the reamed nail group and eighteen in the unreamed nail group. Two patients in the unreamed group required an early secondary procedure. Iatrogenic comminution of the fracture site occurred during three reamed and six unreamed intramedullary nailings. Reaming of the canal was required before the successful placement of three nails in the unreamed group because of canal/nail diameter mismatch. CONCLUSIONS: Unreamed femoral intramedullary nailing involves fewer steps and is significantly faster with less intraoperative blood loss than reamed intramedullary nailing. The unreamed technique, however, was associated with a higher incidence of perioperative complications, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.5).     

Defining length stability in paediatric femoral shaft fractures treated with titanium elastic nails

IntroductionOptimal paediatric femoral shaft fracture patterns or lengths amenable to titanium elastic nail stabilization have not been well defined. The purpose of this study is to identify radiographic parameters predictive of treatment failure with flexible intramedullary nails based upon fracture morphology.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of all femoral shaft fractures treated with flexible intramedullary nails over a five-year period. All patients with at least six weeks of postoperative radiographic imaging were included. Fracture characteristics included location, pattern, length, obliquity, angulation, translation and shortening. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed to determine shortening and angulation.ResultsThere were 58 patients with 60 femoral shaft fractures stabilized with titanium nails, with 46 healing within acceptable parameters and 14 considered malunions. Six of the 14 malunions developed complications requiring early unplanned intervention. No patients in the treatment success group had a complication. Between the treatment success and failure groups, fracture pattern, location, length, obliquity, angulation, translation or shortening were not statistically different. Mean nail canal fill was significantly lower in the failure group (0.72 versus 0.81; p = 0.0146), with a receiver operating characteristic curve identifying canal fill 76% as the optimal threshold.ConclusionThis is the first study to measure the length and obliquity of paediatric femoral shaft fractures and to determine their relationship to radiographic alignment after healing. None of the preoperative fracture characteristics were predictive of malalignment or shortening. We recommend the use of larger nail sizes in the treatment of paediatric femoral shaft fractures, especially if there is concern for residual instability.Level of evidenceIV     

带锁髓内钉固定并植骨治疗陈旧性股骨干骨折

目的 评价带锁髓内钉并植骨治疗股骨干陈旧性骨折的临床疗效和优点。方法 对1996年2月～2003年11月收治的47例陈旧性股骨干骨折患者进行回顾性分析。其中植骨组28例，非植骨组19例。采用切开复位，带锁髓内钉扩髓，静力型固定，根据骨折部位生长情况改为动力型固定。结果 术后随访39例，随访lO～25个月，平均随访时间14．2个月。植骨组骨折愈合率为95．6％(22／23)，感染率为4．3％(1／23)，骨折平均愈合时间为6．3个月，非植骨组则分别为62.5%(10／16)，6．25％(1／16)和9．7个月。临近关节功能达正常，无感染、断钉等并发症。结论 带锁髓内钉静力固定能有效控制有害的剪应力，同时对骨折有一定的加压作用，可提供早期坚强的内固定，同时，植骨后骨折愈合快，并发症少，是治疗陈旧性骨折的理想方法。     

弹性髓内钉固定与外固定支架治疗儿童股骨干骨折疗效比较

目的：比较弹性髓内针与外固定支架治疗儿童股骨干骨折的疗效。方法：2002年9月至2008年8月治疗儿童股骨干骨折共67例,使用弹性髓内针治疗儿童股骨干骨折36例,男23例,女13例,年龄5～11岁,平均（7.1±1.6）岁;外固定支架治疗31例,男19例,女12例,年龄3～12岁,平均（6.5±2.3）岁。所有病例均为闭合复位,对两种不同内固定术后骨折愈合时间、术后并发症进行比较分析。结果：全部病例均获随访,时间9～24个月,平均（12±3）个月。弹性随内针组治疗小儿股骨骨折在骨折临床愈合时间和骨性愈合时间均短于外固定支架组（P〈0.05）。外固定支架组,继发钉道感染5例,骨折延迟愈合3例,再骨折2例,螺钉断裂1例;弹性髓内针组钉尾激惹3例。结论：弹性髓内针治疗儿童股骨干骨折有很大优势,而对高能量骨折及多发伤的病例外固定支架则不失为一种良好的选择,股骨近端和远端骨折尽量避免使用弹性髓内针固定。     

肱骨干骨折顺行与逆行髓内针固定的病例 对照研究

目的：比较肱骨干骨折顺行与逆行髓内针固定的疗效。方法：入选1999年3月至2006年10月间有完整随访资料的肱骨干骨折105例,分为顺行髓内针组（A组）82例,逆行髓内针组（B组）23例。对两组的手术时间、术中出血量、并发症发生率、骨折愈合时间、骨折愈合率、Constant—Murley肩关节功能评分和Mayo肘关节功能评分等指标进行比较。结果：随访时间平均（31．2±20．9）个月。两组的手术时间、骨折愈合时间、愈合率及并发症发生率比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。B组术中出血量大于A组（P=0．002）。A组有4例（4．9％）不愈合,8例（9．8％）发生肩痛伴肩关节活动度减小,B组3例（13．0％）术中发生医源性骨折。A组肩关节功能评分低于B组（P=0．04）,肘关节功能评分两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论：顺行与逆行髓内针固定均是治疗肱骨干骨折的有效方法,但逆行髓内针固定医源性骨折发生率较高,应正确选择和制备髓内针入点。顺行髓内针固定有较高的肩痛和肩关节活动度减小的并发症发生率,注意将髓内针尾埋于肩袖下方,细致保护和修复肩袖,术后进行合理的康复练习,有利于减少肩痛和改善肩关节功能。     

Intramedullary nailing of acute femoral shaft fractures without a fracture table: technique of using a femoral distractor.

Intramedullary nails were placed prospectively in 25 acute femoral shaft fractures in 25 patients without the use of a fracture table. A femoral distractor was used in 21 of the 25 patients to aid in obtaining and holding a reduction. Our goals were to determine if the technique was safe and effective for insertion of intramedullary nails in a wide spectrum of femoral fractures--with no increase in morbidity when compared to the use of the more familiar fracture table--and to determine the potential complications and pitfalls of using this technique. A retrospective evaluation of the most recent 25 patients with 27 femoral fractures that underwent intramedullary nailing on a fracture table was done to compare operative time, estimated blood loss, complications, and postoperative fracture alignment. In addition to the clinical evaluation, cadaveric dissections were undertaken to determine the exact location of the proximal distractor screw in relation to the contents of the femoral triangle. The femoral nerve was a minimum of 2.5 cm, and the femoral artery a minimum of 3.0 cm from the proximal screw. In comparing the two studies, no significant difference was noted in the age of the patients, fracture types or locations, associated injuries, operative time, estimated blood loss, final fracture reduction, or nail position. No complications were encountered in the placement of the proximal femoral distraction screw. Although the distraction method is technically difficult because the reduction is obtained entirely during the procedure, there are certain situations when this technique could be employed with the benefit of decreasing intraoperative patient manipulation, thereby shortening operative time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

器械辅助复位联合带锁髓内钉内固定术治疗复杂股骨干多段骨折

目的:探讨复杂股骨干多段骨折实施微创小切口、器械辅助复位联合带锁髓内钉固定术的手术疗效。方法:2013年1月至2016年1月采用器械辅助复位联合带锁髓内钉内固定术治疗32例股骨干多段骨折患者,男22例,女10例;年龄17~68岁,平均45岁;受伤距手术时间5~10 d,平均7 d;入院后视情况常规行胫骨结节或股骨髁上骨牵引术,对患者全身情况进行评估,术中记录手术时间、术中出血量。依据Thorsen股骨骨折术后形态评估标准及Hohl膝关节功能评价标准对术后疗效进行评价,观察术后骨折愈合、并发症发生及患肢功能恢复情况。结果:所有病例获得随访,时间6~24个月,平均12个月;手术时间48~76 min,平均67 min;术中出血量150~400 ml,平均220 ml;手术切口均达甲级愈合,骨折均达临床愈合标准,骨折愈合时间4.2~10.8个月,平均5.7个月;无骨不连、切口感染及内固定断裂、失效等并发症发生;依据Thorsen股骨骨折术后形态评估标准:优28例,良3例,可1例;依据Hohl膝关节功能评价标准:优30例,良2例。结论:器械辅助复位联合带锁髓内钉内固定术治疗复杂股骨干多段骨折,具有创伤小、固定可靠、恢复快、术后可早期行功能锻炼等优点,符合BO固定原则,是治疗股骨多段骨折的一种有效方法。     

闭合复位带锁髓内钉治疗股骨干骨折

目的：探讨闭合复位带锁髓内钉治疗股骨干骨折的临床疗效.方法：自2006年3月至2011年12月采用闭合复位带锁髓内钉治疗103例股骨干骨折患者,其中男76例,女27例;年龄19～55岁,平均36岁.按照AO分型：A型64例,B型27例,C型12例;开放性骨折13例（Gustilo Ⅰ型5例,Ⅱ型8例）.观察术后患者骨折愈合时间,并采用膝关节HSS评分标准对术后1年膝关节功能恢复情况进行评价.结果：术中发生股骨颈骨折1例,股骨近端骨折1例,均于术中更换重建钉固定,术后骨折愈合.术中发生腓总神经损伤1例,营养神经治疗4个月后恢复.103例患者全部获得随访,时间12～28个月,平均22个月.全部患者获得骨性愈合,愈合时间3～9个月,平均5个月.髋关节功能全部恢复正常,术后1年膝关节行HSS评分平均90.89±5.06.结论：注重手术操作,力求闭合复位,减少并发症,带锁髓内钉是治疗股骨干骨折的首选方法.     

Surgical factors contributing to nonunion in femoral shaft fracture followingintramedullary nailing

Purpose: To explore the possible surgical factors related with nonunion in femoral shaft fracture following intramedullary nailing. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed totally 425 patients with femoral shaft fracture in level I urban trauma center, including 254 males and 171 females, with an average age of 37.6 (ranging from 21 to 56) years old. The inclusion criteria included: (1) traumatically closed fracture of femoral shaft, with preoperative films showing non-comminuted fracture, such as transverse fracture, oblique fracture or spiral fracture; (2) closed reduction and fixation with interlocking intramedullary nail at 3e7 days after trauma; (3) complete follow-up data available. The relationship between the following factors (fracture site, reduction degree, direction of nail insertion and nail size) and nonunion was studied. Results: The incidence of femoral nonunion was 2.8% in patients with closed simple fracture undergoing interlocking intrameduallary nailing, including 11 cases of hypertrophic nonunion. Nonunion was related significantly to distal fracture, unsatisfactory reduction and unreamed nail (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between antegrade nail and retrograde nail (p>0.05). Conclusions: Nonunion in femoral shaft facture following interlocking intramedullary nailing is related to fracture site, fracture reduction and nail diameter. The choice of reamed nails or unreamed nails depends on the fracture site and reduction degree.     

Intramedullary nailing combined with cerclage wiring in the treatment of fractures of the femoral shaft

One hundred sixty-seven femoral shaft fractures were treated with open intramedullary nailing and cerclage wires. Complications requiring surgical reintervention developed in 11 patients (6.6%). Delayed union or nonunion in five patients (3%), deep infection in four patients (2.4%), or unstable fixation in two patients (1.2%) required one or more additional procedures to achieve union. The time to weight-bearing averaged 32 days in patients with isolated injuries and 62 days in patients with associated injuries. One hundred forty-five patients were followed until fracture union occurred. Rotational malalignment in one patient, angulation of 10 degrees or more in two patients, and limb shortening of more than 2 cm in two patients were noted. Loss of hip or knee motion in excess of 20 degrees developed in 15 patients and was always associated with injuries of the pelvis or ipsilateral lower leg. Intramedullary nailing and cerclage wiring significantly expands the indication for intramedullary fixation of fractures of the femoral shaft.     

Der Prothesennagel—primär belastungsstabiles Implantat bei peri- und subprothetischen Frakturen des Femurs

Increasing numbers of total hip arthroplasties in combination with increasing age and growing daily activities of the elderly lead to increasing numbers of periprosthetic fractures and revision arthroplasties in osteoporotic bone. The prosthesis nail is a hybrid of a hip prosthesis and an intramedullary nail allowing immediate full weight bearing and early rehabilitation. The prosthesis nail consists of three self-locking components: a distally locked intramedullary nail, different lengthening modules, and a hip prosthesis module. From 1992 to 1999, 28 prosthesis nails were implanted in 26 patients (40-88 years, mean age: 71 years). The indications were 21 peri- and subprosthetic fractures caused by trauma, 2 fractures of the proximal femur in combination with a fracture of the femoral head or severe degenerative arthritis, and 4 revision arthroplasties associated with poor bone quality. A combination of the prosthesis nail and bone cement was used in one patient suffering from a pathological fracture of the distal femur. Patients were additionally treated with wire cerclage (six patients) and autogenous bone grafting (ten patients). All patients-except those who received a reconstruction of the acetabulum in the same session (four patients)-were mobilized with full weight bearing on the operated side as soon as wound pain diminished. Bone healing was observed in all periprosthetic fractures. In three patients the prosthesis nail had to be revised: one patient suffered from recurrent dislocations and in one patient weighing 350 pounds limb shortening occurred after the distal locking screw broke. Intramedullary infection was observed once after treatment of a periprosthetic fracture. When bone union was achieved the prosthesis nail was removed and the patient was mobilized with a girdlestone situation. The idea of the prosthesis nail is based on the logical consequence of treating femur fractures with the most efficient procedure, which is intramedullary nailing. The prosthesis nail can be applied according to the requirements of the fracture as a reamed or unreamed nail and immediate full weight bearing is possible. Considering the high average age of the patients, low morbidity, short rehabilitation time, and low costs are the major advantages of this new device. Taking into account the unfavorable preoperative conditions associated with elderly and multimorbid patients, the rate of complications is relatively low.     

Clinical performance of a new medullary humeral nail: antegrade versus retrograde insertion.

OBJECTIVE: A new intramedullary nail system for humeral shaft fractures is evaluated to determine whether retrograde nailing is as reliable as antegrade nailing. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective multicenter nonrandomized clinical study. PATIENTS: Eighty-four patients with acute humeral shaft fractures were nailed with the new unreamed humeral nail (UHN) system. Fifty-seven nails were introduced retrogradely, and twenty-seven antegradely. Bone healing and functional outcome were the follow-up parameters. RESULTS: The ratio of perioperative complications was equivalent for both groups, but one shaft fracture and three fractures or fissures at the entry point occurred in the group with retrograde nail insertion. Five fractures, all with retrograde nail insertion, needed secondary surgery to achieve bony healing. There was no difference in functional outcome after healing in either group. CONCLUSION: Retrograde nailing of humeral shaft fractures is technically more demanding than antegrade nailing. Fractures or fissures at the insertion point must be avoided by adequate preparation of the entry hole and careful nail insertion. Bone healing problems seem more surgeon-related than approach-related. As in every other procedure, an optimal fracture configuration and high fracture stability must be achieved.     

Tibial shaft fracture after removal of an ACE tibial nail

Intramedullary interlocking nailing is the gold standard method for treatment of tibial shaft fractures. Thus, the growing use of the intramedullary nailing resulted in an increased number of tibial nails removal procedures in daily clinical practice. Despite adequate surgeon experience, the removal of tibial intramedullary nails is not without complications. One of the commonly used nails is the ACE (DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., Warsaw, IN, USA). The purpose of this paper is to report such a complication following the removal procedure and review the pertinent literature. A 39-year-old female who had sustained a lower-third tibial fracture was treated with an intramedullary nail 5 years ago. Despite her unremarkable follow-up, for personal reasons, a removal procedure was planned. Two undisplaced fractures were observed in the postoperative radiological evaluation. The potential complications of the removal of intramedullary nailing of the tibia should be considered by both physician and patient.     

Intramedullary osteosynthesis of complex proximal femoral fractures with the Targon PF nail

We evaluated the performance of the Targon PF nailing system in the treatment of complex proximal femoral fractures with a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for 94 patients with a complex proximal femoral fracture (subtrochanteric fracture or fracture with reversed fracture line pattern) treated with a Targon PF nail. There were no intra-operative femoral fractures. Late complications requiring reoperation were one femoral fracture and one fracture around the nail secondary to tumour. Seven nails had to be dynamised and a further six 'self-dynamised' at the site of the distal locking screw. One patient required revision of the distal locking. Only one other patient required secondary surgery for a wound haematoma. There were no cases of implant cut-out or non-union. The Targon PF nail represents a progressive development in the design of intramedullary nails for proximal femoral fractures and the results compare favourably with other intramedullary systems used to treat complex proximal femoral fractures.     

Percutaneous cerclage wiring for reduction of periprosthetic and difficult femoral fractures. A technical note

BackgroundCombining closed reduction techniques with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) or intramedullary nailing is a technically challenging procedure, especially when dealing with complex femoral fractures such as periprosthetic fractures. Cerclage wiring is a well known adjunct for fracture reduction and fixation. However, it is usually performed by open reduction, requiring wide surgical exposures, that results in soft tissue stripping.ObjectivesTo present how a novel cerclage wiring technique, employing a new percutaneous cerclage system, helped reduce a periprosthetic femoral fracture, fixed with MIPO, and a difficult proximal femoral fracture, stabilized with an intramedullary nail.ConclusionPercutaneous wiring is an alternative reduction technique to facilitate the reduction and maintenance of difficult femoral fractures, which reduces the radiation exposure to the surgeon.     

股骨干顺行髓内钉固定后同侧股骨颈骨折的治疗

目的：探讨股骨干骨折行顺行髓内钉固定后发现同侧股骨颈骨折的治疗方法。方法：回顾性分析2000年1月至2010年1月股骨干骨折行顺行髓内钉固定后术中或术后发现同侧股骨颈骨折的患者12例,全部以2枚螺钉分别自髓内钉前后方固定股骨颈骨折,定期随访,评估骨折愈合及功能恢复情况。结果：术后随访10—36个月,平均16．5个月。股骨颈骨折平均愈合时间3．6个月,股骨干骨折平均愈合时间5．4个月,无股骨头坏死发生。按Harris评分标准髋关节功能：优7例,良3例,可2例。结论：股骨干骨折顺行髓内钉固定后发现同侧股骨颈骨折,以2枚螺钉分别自髓内钉前后方固定股骨颈骨折方法可行,固定可靠,手术创伤小,骨折愈合率高。     

弹性髓内钉在儿童肱骨干骨折治疗中的应用

目的探讨弹性髓内钉治疗儿童肱骨干骨折的临床效果。方法对37例肱骨干骨折(经手法复位不满意或手法复位石膏固定后再移位)患儿采取闭合复位、小切口弹性髓内钉内固定治疗。除2例因手法复位失败采用有限切开复位外,其余均采用闭合复位。分别于术后3、6、12个月对患儿肩、肘关节功能进行评分。结果 37例均获随访,时间6～24个月,2例因钉尾过长或折弯致肱骨进针点疼痛和钉尾刺激反应,拔钉后症状消失。骨折全部骨性愈合,愈合时间3～6个月。均无感染、短缩、旋转畸形以及骨骺、神经损伤等并发症发生。采用Constant和Murley肩关节评分系统、Mayo肘关节功能评分系统评价疗效,术后12个月疗效:优20例,良15例,可2例,优良率为94.59%。结论弹性髓内钉内固定治疗儿童肱骨干骨折创伤小,可早期活动,愈合快,并发症少。     

Surgical outcome of intramedullary nailing in patients with complete atypical femoral fracture: A multicenter retrospective study

BackgroundManagement of atypical femoral fracture on bisphosphonate therapy still remains controversy and is reported high rate of complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of intramedullary nailing in patients with atypical femoral fracture who took bisphosphonate more than one year through the multicenter retrospective study.MethodsWe gathered 75 atypical femoral fractures from seven institutions between 2009 and 2014. Among them 46 atypical femoral fractures which met the inclusion criteria was evaluated in this study. The average age was 70.1 years (53–80) and the average duration of bisphosphonate use was 5.1 years (1–15 years). Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to determine time to union, union rate, need for revision surgery, restoration of ambulatory function, and complications.ResultsTwenty-nine (63%) fractures healed within 6 months without complications. The average time to union except two non-union was 24.9 weeks (11–48 weeks). Two patients (4.3%) underwent revision surgery for non-union and there was no implant failure. Thirty-seven (80.4%) patients achieved their pre-fracture ambulatory function at the final follow up.ConclusionsAlthough the incidence of delayed bone healing is high in atypical femoral fracture on bisphosphonate therapy even treated with intramedullary nailing, the incidence of revision surgery and implant failure was relatively lower than those of extramedullary devices.     

Subtrochanteric Femoral Fracture during Trochanteric Nailing for the Treatment of Femoral Shaft Fracture

We report on three cases of subtrochanteric femoral fractures during trochanteric intramedullary nailing for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures. Trochanteric intramedullary nails, which have a proximal lateral bend, are specifically designed for trochanteric insertion. When combined with the modified insertion technique, trochanteric intramedullary nails reduce iatrogenic fracture comminution and varus malalignment. We herein describe technical aspects of trochanteric intramedullary nailing for femoral shaft fractures to improve its application and prevent implant-derived complications.