Treatment of femoral shaft fractures in six Kinshasa hospitals: closed-focus locked centromedullary nailing versus other means of osteosynthesis

Abstract

Introduction: The standard treatment for femoral shaft fractures (FSF) is locked centromedullary nailing (LCN). It is not always applicable in our setting. Instead, other osteosynthesis techniques are used. In this study, we compare the results of LCN with those of other osteosynthesis techniques in Kinshasa. Material and methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive series of 110 cases, involving six public hospitals in the city of Kinshasa, from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023. The study involved patients aged 18 and over, managed by osteosynthesis of diaphyseal femur fractures using four techniques: closed-focus locked centromedullary nailing (LCN), open-focus non-locked nailing (NLN), screw plate (SP) osteosynthesis and external fixation (EF).