Clinical outcomes of dual fixation of femoral shaft fracture nonunion: synchronous nailing and plate augmentation

Abstract

Background The key to success in femoral shaft nonunion cases is the achievement of mechanical stability. We aimed to provide the clinical outcome of dual-fixation femoral shaft fracture nonunion using intramedullary nailing and plate augmentation in the same setting. Patients and methods This was a retrospective study of 12 patients with femoral shaft fracture aseptic nonunion operated at our university hospital between January 2017 and June 2021. All patients underwent revision surgery with synchronous nailing and plate augmentation. Demographics, comorbidities, history of previous trauma, fracture healing, and complications were recorded. We also reviewed radiological images. Results Twelve patients (nine males and three females) with a mean age of 31.1±9.8 years were included. Six patients had a previous fixation with an intramedullary nail, five with a plate, and one with an external fixator. Ten patients had atrophic nonunion, and two patients had hypertrophic nonunion. Patients achieved fracture healing after the surgical intervention, except two patients required another surgical intervention for delayed union as bone grafting (at 6 and 8 months, respectively). At the end of the study, they achieved fracture healing in all patients. The mean healing time was 6.1±2.4 months. Conclusion s Good mechanical stability and hence union can be achieved with synchronous nailing and plate augmentation as a treatment option for femoral shaft fracture aseptic nonunion.