Primary interlocking nailing for open fractures of tibial shaft: a clinical study

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The excellent method for treating fractures of the tibial shaft was the closed intramedullary nailing technique. But because of limited references related to the results, incidence of infection, non-union of open injury. Hence, it was decided to analyse open tibial fractures treatment by primary interlocking nailing.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 50 Patients with open fractures of the tibial shaft which were treated with primary interlocking nail were studied in the period of 14 months.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> In present study 18 (36%) type I, 22 (44%) type II and 10 (20%) type IIIA Gustilo open fractures were treated. The average duration of time between injury and nailing was 3.5 hours (range was 1.5 hours to 4 hours). After reaming, 40 (80%) fractures were fixed, without reaming, 10 (20%) of fractures were fixed. The average time to union was 27 weeks for type I fractures, 30 weeks for type II fractures and 33 weeks for type IIIA fractures. There was 1 non-union. There were 4 deep infections.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The best mode of therapy was primary interlocking intramedullary nailing for open fractures.</p>