Locked Intramedullary Nailing Research Articles

Solid locked intramedullary nailing for expeditious return of bone-setting-induced abnormal fracture union victims to work in South-western Nigeria

Wage earning in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is predominantly through physical labour. Consequently, limb-related disabilities caused by abnormal fracture unions (AFUs) preclude gainful employment and perpetuate the cycle of poverty. Many AFUs result from traditional bone-setting (TBS), a pervasive treatment for long bone fractures in LMICs. The objective of this study was to accentuate the expediency of solid locked intramedullary nail in the early restoration of victims of TBS-induced abnormal fracture unions (AFUs) to their pre-injury functioning, including work. One hundred AFUs in 98 patients treated with a solid locked intramedullary nail in our center over a period of 7 years were prospectively studied. We found the mean age to be 47.97 years. Males constituted 63.9% of the patients’ population. Atrophic non-union accounted for 54.1% of the AFUs. The mean fracture-surgery interval was 21.30 months. By the 12th post-operative week, more than 75% of the fractures had achieved knee flexion/shoulder abduction beyond 90°, were able to squat and smile (or do shoulder abduction-external rotation), and were able to bear weight fully. The study demonstrated the expediency of solid locked nail in salvaging TBS-induced abnormal fracture unions in a way that permitted early return to pre-injury daily activities and work, thereby reducing fracture-associated poverty.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuropathic Ankle Fractures.

Standard 3-view ankle radiographs are the first-line imaging modality for suspected neuropathic ankle fractures. Computed tomography is helpful to evaluate for concomitant osseous changes and soft-tissue infection. Nonoperative management may be considered for low-demand, elderly, or comorbid patients for whom surgery and anesthesia are contraindicated. However, the presence of comorbidities alone should not necessarily preclude operative intervention. Given the overall poor results of nonoperative treatment in the neuropathic ankle fracture population, operative intervention may in fact be less risky to the patient. The authors have 2 preferred treatment techniques. For cases in which the vascular supply and bone stock are adequate, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with locking fixation for the fibula, a medial buttress/hook plate with lag screws for the medial malleolus, multiple syndesmotic screws for additional fixation even in the absence of a syndesmotic injury, and temporary transfixation Steinmann pins from the calcaneus into the tibia are used. For cases in which there is a concern for wound healing or previously failed ORIF, minimally invasive surgical tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with a retrograde locked intramedullary nail is used.

Subtrochanteric fractures in elderly people: functional and radiographic outcomes after intramedullary locked nail fixation with or without cerclage.

Sub-trochanteric fractures are among the most challenging for trauma surgeons. The purpose of this study was to analyze our own experience about subtrochanteric fractures. We focused on functional and radiographic outcomes after intramedullary locked nail fixation with or without cerclage assist. A retrospective analysis on subtrochanteric fractures managed from January 2016 to April 2021 was conducted. Patients treated by closed reduction and intramedullary nail fixation were enrolled in Group A, while Group B included those patients who underwent wire-assisted intramedullary nail fixation. All patients performed clinical and radiological follow-up and complications were analyzed. The significance was established for a value of p < 0.05. 80 patients were included in the present study. The mean age was 74.2 (+/-19.2) years. The mean surgical time was 84.7 (+/-24.6) and 254.7 (+/-80.2) minutes in Group A and Group B, respectively. The mean blood loss was 87.3 (+/-18.3) ml in Group A and 224.4 (+/-37.8) ml in Group B. Quality of reduction was mainly superior in Group B. The mean time of union was 4.2 (+/-1.4) months in Group A and 3.4 (+/-2.1) months in Group B. Statistical differences were observed in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and in the Short Form 12 (SF-12) after 6 and 12 months of follow-up with better results in Group B. The complication rate was 18.2% in Group A and 12.2% in Group B. We recommend the use of wires when acceptable closed reduction cannot be obtained because its use may be useful for medial wall stability. For elderly patients, closed reduction may be more appropriate as the quality of life and functional recovery between the two methods is almost overlapped.

COMPARISON OF FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME BETWEEN DCP AND INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL IN THE TREATMENT OF SIMPLE TRANSVERSE HUMERUS FRACTURE

ABSTRACT&#x0D; OBJECTIVE: To compare functional outcome in patients managed with dynamic compression plating or locked intramedullary nailing for humeral shaft transverse fractures in Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital.&#x0D; METHODS: This randomised control trial was conducted in Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore from September 15 to March 15, 2020. Patients of either gender and all ages with humerus shaft transverse fracture fulfilling the inclusion criteria were assessed and treated with either DCP or locking intramedullary nail. Post-operative functional outcome was graded as excellent,good, fair and poor.&#x0D; Results: The total number of patients in our study were 60. Mean age was 38.7±12.79 years. Male patients were 45(75%) and female 15(25%). Mean follow up period minimum was of 6 months.In the Intramedullary nail group(I), the Neer scores were 13 (43.3%) excellent,11 (36.7%) good, 4 (13.3 %) fair and 2( 6.7%) poor. Whereas, functional outcome Neer scores of Dynamic compression plate group (II) were 23(76.7%) excellent,6 (20%) good, and only single case( 3.3%) shows poor result.&#x0D; Conclusion: The functional outcome with both modalities were excellent with mean Neer score of respective Nail and DCP with 85.90% and 91.03%.

Treatment of Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures.

Diaphyseal femur fractures are common in pediatric orthopaedic settings. A patient-specific treatment plan incorporates several factors, including age, weight, fracture pattern, associated injuries, and social considerations. Nonaccidental trauma should be considered in children younger than 3 years. In general, young children are treated with noninvasive immobilization (Pavlik harness or early hip spica casting) while school-aged children are treated with internal fixation. Internal fixation options include flexible intramedullary nails, rigid locked intramedullary nails, and plate osteosynthesis. Flexible intramedullary nails have the best outcomes in children of appropriate weight, aged 5 to 11 years, with stable fracture patterns. Lateral-entry rigid intramedullary nails have been designed for use in older children. External fixation is usually reserved for complex scenarios. Regarding all treatment methods, surgeons should be aware of several technical factors necessary to optimize outcomes.

Aseptic femoral nonunion treated with exchange locked nailing with intramedullary augmentation cancellous bone graft

BackgroundClosed reamed locked intramedullary nailing has been the treatment of choice for most of femoral shaft fractures. A high union rate with a low complication rate is generally predictable. For an aseptic femoral shaft nonunion with a prior inserted intramedullary nail, exchange nailing is one of favored surgical techniques for treatment. However, a greatly varied success rate of 72–100% has been reported. To improve the success rate of exchange femur nailing, a modified bone grafting technique was developed. The purpose of this retrospective study intended to evaluate outcomes of such a revised technique.MethodsFrom July 2011 to March 2019, 48 consecutive adult patients (average, 38 years; range, 19–67 years) with aseptic femoral shaft nonunions after intramedullary nailing treatment were studied. All femoral shaft fractures were initially caused by traffic accidents, which were treated by a closed or open intramedullary nailing technique at various hospitals. The current revision treatment was performed after an average of 2.2 years (range 1.1–6.2 years) from initial injuries. In the surgery, the prior nail was removed and the marrow cavity was reamed widely (at least 2 mm as possible). Sufficient cancellous bone grafts harvested on the trochanteric marrow wall from the inside were placed in the marrow cavity of the junction of nonunion fragments. A new 1-mm smaller size locked intramedullary nail was inserted. Whether the dynamic or static mode of nails were used mainly depended on the nonunion level. Postoperatively, protected weight bearing with crutches was allowed for all patients.ResultsForty-one patients were followed for an average of 2.8 years (85.4%; range, 1.9–4.5 years) and all fractures healed. The union rate was 100% (41/41, p < 0.001) with a union time of an average of 3.4 months (range, 2.5–5.0 months). There were no complications of deep infection, nonunions, malunions, implant failures or an avulsed trochanter tip fracture. The satisfactory knee function improved from 73.2% (30/41) preoperatively to 92.7% (38/41) at the latest follow-up (p = 0.019).ConclusionsThe described modified bone grafting technique may effectively improve a union rate of exchange femur nailing while the surgical procedure is not complicated. It may therefore be used concomitantly in all aseptic femoral shaft nonunions when exchange nailing is performed.

Reverse Obliquity Intertrochanteric Fracture Treated with a Dynamic Distal Locked Intramedullary Hip Nail.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and radiological results of reverse obliquity intertrochanteric fractures treated with dynamic distal locked intramedullary hip nails. Patients with a reverse obliquity intertrochanteric fracture (AO/OTA type 31 A3.1 or A3.3) underwent surgical treatment with a dynamic distal locked intramedullary hip nail between August 2017 and September 2020. Fracture type, reduction quality, change in the position of the distal bone fragment, bone union, complications, and walking ability were evaluated. Ten patients with reverse obliquity intertrochanteric fractures (seven females and three males) underwent dynamic distal locked intramedullary hip nailing. The mean age was 72.0 ± 18.9 years. Two patients were classi fied as having A3.1 fractures; eight patients were classified as having A3.3 fractures. Anatomical reduction was achieved in six patients, medial displacement remained in three patients, and lateral displacement remained in one patient postoperatively. In 9 out of 10 patients, the center of the proximal end of the distal bone fragment had moved laterally between the time immediately after surgery and the time of the final evaluation. Bone union was obtained uneventfully without any additional treatments in all patients. There were no complications such as infection or implant failure. Walking ability decreased in four patients. In all patients, bone union was achieved due to good contact of the medial cortices or the migration of the distal bone fragment into the proximal bone fragment. This procedure can be an option for treating reverse obliquity intertrochanteric fractures.

Comments on “Successful results obtained in the treatment of adolescent forearm fractures with locked intramedullary nailing”—The need for a large multi-center study to compare locked intramedullary nailing, titanium elastic intramedullary nailing and plate fixation for treatment of adolescent forearm fractures

Comments on “Successful results obtained in the treatment of adolescent forearm fractures with locked intramedullary nailing”—The need for a large multi-center study to compare locked intramedullary nailing, titanium elastic intramedullary nailing and plate fixation for treatment of adolescent forearm fractures

Femoral shaft fractures treated by antegrade locked intramedullary nailing: EOS stereoradiographic imaging evaluation of rotational malalignment having a functional impact

IntroductionThe standard treatment of femoral shaft fractures is intramedullary nailing. One of the most frequent complications is femoral malrotation. Our study sought to: 1) use EOS imaging to determine the amount of rotational malalignment after intramedullary nailing that has an impact on 6-month functional results; 2) determine the incidence of femoral malrotation based on EOS imaging; 3) determine the risk factors for postoperative femoral malrotation that impacts the 6-month functional results. The hypothesis was that EOS imaging can be used to determine the amount of femoral malrotation that has a functional impact in patients treated by percutaneous femoral intramedullary nailing. Material and methodsWe performed a prospective, single-center study between September 2017 and February 2020. Patients who had suffered a femoral shaft fracture treated with antegrade intramedullary nailing were included in this study. Femoral anteversion was measured at 6 months with an EOS stereoradiographic imaging system. Patients were assessed at 6 months with the WOMAC, Oxford, Harris and MDP functional scores. The SF-12 quality of life score was also determined. ResultsThirty patients were evaluated at 6 months postoperatively, 15 women (50%) and 15 men (50%) who were 47 years old on average [16; 94]. The average anteversion was 19.9°C [−23°; 75°]. The functional scores (Oxford and Harris) were altered when there was 14° or more difference in femoral torsion between the operated side and the healthy side with a sensitivity of 0.88 and a specificity of 0.77. The risk factors for femoral malrotation were age under 35 years (p=0.01), urgent surgical management (p=0.008), location in middle third of femoral shaft (p=0.05), and short spiral fracture (p=0.02). ConclusionThe use of EOS imaging allowed us to demonstrate that functional hip outcomes are altered at 6 months postoperatively when greater than 14° femoral malrotation is present compared to the contralateral side after femoral intramedullary nailing. The risk factors that contributed to intraoperative rotational malalignment were age less than 35 years, urgent surgical management, mid-shaft femoral fracture and short spiroid fractures. Level of evidenceII.

Locked intramedullary nailing provides superior functional outcomes and lower complication rates than plate fixation of distal fibula fractures. A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

PurposeThis study aims to provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies on the outcomes and complications of locked IMNs in comparison to ORIF using plates and screws, while avoiding limitations of similar published reviews. MethodsFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, two independent team members electronically searched MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases throughout May 2021 using the following keywords with their synonyms: “Ankle fracture fixation” AND “Open reduction and internal fixation”, “locked intramedullary nail”, or “complications”. The primary outcomes were (1) functional outcomes, (2) complications, and (3) reoperation, while the secondary outcomes were: (1) union rate, and (2) cost. Inclusion criteria: comparative studies on outcomes and complications of plate open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) vs. locked intramedullary nailing (IMN) of ankle fractures reporting at least one of the following parameters: functional outcomes, complications (infection, dehiscence, reoperation etc.), union, and cost. Studies reporting on non-locked intramedullary fibular nails were also excluded. ResultsAfter the removal of duplicates, a total of 1461 studies were identified. After screening those records, 63 studies remained for full-text assessment. Out of those, four comparative studies with a total of 262 ankle fractures met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. The mean 12 months postoperative Olerud and Molander Ankle Scores (OMAS) were reported by two studies, with a statistically significant difference in favor of IMNs (MD= 6.72, CI: 3.77–9.67, p<0.001, I2= 94%). In the ORIF group, the overall complication rate was 39/134 (29.1%) vs. 10/128 (7.8%) in the IMN group, with a statistically significant difference in favor of the IMN group (RR=3.23, CI:1.71–6.11, p<0.001, I2=34%). In the ORIF group, the overall infection rate was 11/134 (8.2%), while there were no infections in the IMN group, with a statistically significant difference in favor of the IMN group (RR=8.05, CI:1.51–42.82, p=0.01, I2=0%). In the ORIF group, the overall reoperation rate was 10/134 (7.5%) while the overall reoperation rate was 6/128 (4.7%) in the IMN group, with no statistically significant difference between groups (RR=1.49, CI: 0.60–3.70, p = 0.39, I2=0%). ConclusionLocked intramedullary nail fixation of distal fibula fractures could provide superior functional outcomes and lower complication rates in comparison to open reduction and plate fixation. Despite the high incidence of ankle fractures, the number of high-quality comparative studies remains limited in literature, especially on newer locked fibular nails, and large multicentric clinical trials are required before recommending locked IMNs as the new standard of care in distal fibula fractures.

Intramedullary nailing versus plating fixation for the treatment of midshaft clavicular fractures: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PurposeThis study was to test the hypothesis that intramedullary (IM) nailing fixation of midshaft clavicle fractures could result in better clinical outcomes and lower complications rates than plating fixation. MethodsPubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library database were used to search all English language published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of midshaft clavicle fractures using plating versus IM nailing. The characteristics of the study participants were collected. Outcomes of postoperative shoulder functional measurements, operative data and complications rates were meta-analyzed. ResultsEight hundred and ninety-five patients in ten RCTs and three quasi-RCTs were involved in the meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis of these studies showed that the functional outcome evaluated by the Constant Shoulder and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores after accepting IM nailing was significantly better than that of plating fixation at one year post-operatively (P < 0.01), with the heterogeneity of 43% and 91%, respectively. Sensitivity analyses of the pooled results of Constant and DASH scores displayed that the functional advantage of IM nailing fixation comes from the subgroup of locked IM nailing. Further, regarding the operative statistics, operative time, blood loss and wound length were significantly less in the IM nailing group than the plating group (P < 0.001). The rates of infection, major complications and complications-related revision surgery were significantly higher in the plating group than the IM nailing group; however, there were no significantly statistical differences in other complications, e.g., nonunion, refracture after hardware removal, implant failure, symptomatic hardware, etc. (P > 0.05). ConclusionThe observations in this review suggested that IM nailing, especially locked IM nailing, could provide better shoulder functional outcome at one-year follow-up. Moreover, IM nailing fixation could effectively reduce operative time, blood loss, rates of infection, major complications, and revision surgery than plating. Further high-quality clinical trials with large samples and consistent designs are still needed to verify the long-term functional advantage of locked and unlocked IM nailing for midshaft clavicle fractures. Level of evidenceLevel II.

Outcomes of Mini-Invasive Arthroscopic Arthrolysis Combined with Locking Screw and/or Intramedullary Nail Extraction after Osteosynthesis of the Proximal Humerus Fracture.

Data on the effectiveness of arthroscopic arthrolysis and extraction of osteosynthetic material after osteosynthesis of the proximal humerus in patients with persisting problems are rare and insufficient. In this study, we performed arthroscopic arthrolysis and extraction of fixation screws, and, where protruding, extraction of the nail in 34 patients with problems persisting 12 months after osteosynthesis of the proximal humerus using an intramedullary nail. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed using the Constant–Murley shoulder score and forward flexion difference between the treated arm and the contralateral one. A median increase of 16 points in CMS score and 30 degrees reduction in the arm forward flexion difference was recorded 12 months after the arthroscopy. The improvement was significantly higher in the patient group with intramedullary nail extraction (however, this group had worse pre-operative values and the screw was only extracted where likely to cause problems). The median time to heal was 11 weeks; no serious peri- or post-procedural complications occurred. Mini-invasive arthroscopic arthrolysis combined with extraction of osteosynthetic material proved to be a safe and effective method for treatment of patients after osteosynthesis of the proximal humerus using an intramedullary nail with persisting pain and/or mobility limitation.

Management of Non-Prosthetic Peri-Implant Fracture in a Case of Broken Intramedullary Locking Nail - A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature

A non-prosthetic peri-implant fracture (NPPIF) can be defined as a fracture in a bone with an existing non-prosthetic implant such as an extramedullary plate and screws or an intramedullary nail, NPPIFs are mostly reported together with peri-prosthetic fractures (PPFs) that occur around joint replacement implants, but they represent a separate clinical entity with different conceptual and practical considerations1. Our case is a 72-year male with a broken humerus intramedullary Nail in right upper limb who was managed with implant removal and bridge plating with locking plate. The favourable outcome in our case sheds a light in a grey region of non-prosthetic peri implant fractures of upper limbs where no definite management protocol is available. Our patient had very good outcome which was noted by 0/100 on dash scores and complete pain-free range of movement elbow and shoulder. Our case stands as a manifest for NPPIFs of humerus, which can be managed with similar protocol which was used in our case.

Total Wrist Fusion with an Intramedullary Device: A Single-Institution Series with a Minimum of One Year Follow-Up.

Objective The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional and surgical outcomes of total wrist fusion (TWF) following the use of a locked intramedullary nail (IMN). Methods A single institution study was performed, which entailed in-person reexamination of 18 patients ( n = 19 wrists), out of 35 eligible patients, who underwent TWF with an IMN from 2010 to 2017. For each patient, demographic, preoperative diagnosis, physical examination, wrist radiograph, and outcome questionnaire data were obtained. The questionnaires included the visual analog scale (VAS), quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH), and Mayo Wrist Score assessments. In addition, complication and reoperation data for all TWFs with an IMN during the 2010 to 2017 period (35 patients, n I = 38 wrists) were noted. Results In the 18 patients, age was 47.6 ± 13.9 years, 12 (63.2%) were female, and median follow-up was 150 weeks (range: 74-294). The VAS score was 0 ± 0 in 5 of 19 wrists with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 1.82 ± 2.78 in 14 of 19 wrists without RA. It was found that 21 of 38 wrists (55.3%) had an implant-related complication and 5 wrists (13%) underwent a reoperation due to the implant itself. Conclusions To date, no sufficient data are present demonstrating a clear advantage of an IMN over dorsal plating for TWF at intermediate-term follow-up. Surgeons should be knowledgeable of the several potential complications of this IMN prior to its use for TWF. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV, therapeutic study.

Studying the strength of the tibia during the replacement of a post-resection defect with a segmental allograft using locked intramedullary nailing (experimental clinical study)

Background. To achieve success in the incorporation of allografts and bone of the recipient, many factors are taken into account, which can be divided into two main groups: those related to sterilization and processing of the bone allograft and factors affecting the reliability of implant fixation in the bone of the recipient. The second important factor is the method for fixing the allografts and the bone of the recipient. The purpose was to determine the mechanical properties of bone after segmental bone alloplasty. Materials and methods. Female patient Sh., 30 years old, diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the left distal tibia T2N0M0 GIII, degree II, clinical group II, underwent polychemotherapy courses, surgical intervention according to the developed method. The tumor was removed en block, a post-resection defect was replaced with an articulating segmental bone allograft, fixed to the recipient’s bone through a stepped osteotomy and an intramedullary locked nail. Bone autografts were additionally placed into the area of the allograft contact with the recipient’s bone. After 2 years, the patient underwent surgery: amputation at the left third of the thigh. Radiographically, fusion of the allograft and the recipient’s bone was noted. An experimental study of the tensile strength of the tibia after segmental alloplasty of a post-resection defect was carried out using the developed surgical technique and a segmental allograft. Results. To compare the results of an experimental study of the tibia preparation after segmental bone alloplasty, data about the values of the ultimate strength of the bone tissue under compression and bending loads were selected. As shown by the experiment, the ultimate strength of the tibia preparation after its bone alloplasty was 51.82 MPa. This value corresponds to the minimum ultimate strength of a compact bone in bending — 51 MPa. Although this is twice as low as the maximum value of the ultimate strength of a compact bone in bending (133 MPa), it should be borne in mind that all the given reference values were obtained when testing intact preparations of a compact bone. Conclusions. The use of a segmental bone allograft to replace a post-resection defect in a long bone with its fixation to the recipient’s bone through a stepped osteotomy and locked intramedullary nailing with additional bone autoplasty in the area of the allograft contact with the recipient’s bone makes it possible to obtain in the osteotomy zone the bone, the ultimate strength of which corresponds to that of the intact tissue.

Is it Possible to Achieve Satisfactory Results With Intramedullary Locking Nails In Adult Forearm Fractures ?

Objectives Plate osteosynthesis is the most commonly used surgical method in the treatment of diaphyseal forearm fractures in adults. Intramedullary nailing (IMN) is an easy surgical alternative for treating these fractures. In the present study we discussed the minimum 2 year follow up results of intramedullary nailing for the management of forearm fractures in a secondary trauma center. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients operated for adult forearm fractures, using intramedullary locking nails, between 2013 and 2015 in a secondary trauma center was performed. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were retrieved from the hospital database. The union rates and complications were also recorded. Results Twenty nine patients (22 M 7 F) with mean age 29.4 years (range: 19 and 51) were included into the study. Mean follow up time was 26.8 months (range: 24 and 36). Twenty one patients had fracture of both bones, 4 had isolated ulna and 4 had isolated radius fractures. There were 2 open fractures. Average clinical healing time was approximately 20 days and radiologic healing time was 40 days. One patient with an open fracture underwent revision with plate screw fixation due to union delay. Patients improved in terms of health related quality of life questionnaire scores. Conclusion The intramedullary locking nail is a suitable treatment method for the surgical treatment of forearm fractures, and can be an alternative to open reduction and internal fixation with plate screw constructs when the patients can not undergo open surgery due to different factors.

Хірургічне лікування переломів тіла стегнової кістки в дітей та підлітків: ранні та віддалені результати

Pediatric femoral fractures is a topical issue of modern pediatric traumatology. They are among the most common fractures of long bones and are the most common orthopaedic injury requiring hospitalization. Treatment of femur fractures in children vary on the basis of the mechanism of injury, the patient’s age, weight, the fracture pattern, family circumstances, and cost. Non-operative management plays a role in some cases but operative fixation as it allows early mobilisation and shorter hospital stays. Purpose – to analyze our experience in surgical treatment pediatric femoral shaft fractures with different methods, early and late complication. Materials and methods. For the period from 2008 to 2019, 148 children with acute femur shaft fractures were treated in our department, pathological fractures were exclude. They were divided according to surgical approach into 4 groups: elastic intramedullary nail (ESIN) – 109 patients (113 femurs), intramedullary locking nail (IMN) – 27 patients (27 femurs), external fixator – 8 patients (8 femurs), and plating – 4 (4 femurs). Comparisons were made between 2 groups: intramedullary nailing with closed reduction (124 femurs) and open reduction (16 femurs), of which 102 male and 38 female; aged of patients was 6–17 years. Hospitalization time of – up to 24 hours – 92 (63 boys, 29 girls), 1–7 days – 56 (39 boys, 17 girls). The indication for the use of flexible intramedullary rods was the age of children under 14 years of age with a weight of no more than 50 kg; in children of the older age group, an intramedullary blocked rod with an insertion point through the apex of the greater trochanter was used. Results. Flexible intramedullary nailing was used in 109 (74%) by standard retrograde technique 102 patients (106 femurs) and antegrade technique 7 patients (7 femurs), closed reduction was done in 121 patients (124 femur), open reduction in 15 patients (16 femurs). A blocking intramedullary rod was used in 27 children of the older age group, which amounted to 18%. Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head or changes in the proximal femur was not observed in any patient. There were only 4 (3%) children in the plating group, one case had refracture, 2 cases had infection. In all patients, except one with polytrauma, complete consolidation of the fracture was observed. The duration of the operation, the time of stay in the hospital, the amount of blood loss and postoperative pain were significantly lower in the group with closed reduction technique than in the group where the open reduction of the fragments was used. The dependence of the results of treatment and the beginning of the axial load on the affected limb on the duration of surgery was not found. Most common early complication was soft tissue irritation at the nail entry site (32 patients – 18 boys, 14 girls). Varus deformity of the femur was observed in 9 children (5 boys, 4 girls), in one patient this deformity was combined with limb shortening, valgus deformity was found in 3 patients (2 boys, 1 girl), rotational deformity in 2 patients (2 girls). According to Flynn’s criteria, only 2 patients had a poor result. Conclusions. Titanium elastic nailing is a relatively simple, minimally invasive method of surgical treatment of fractures of the shaft femur in children and adolescents with high rates of good and excellent results. For children of the older age group use of an intramedullary blocked nail is a safe procedure without the development of any changes in the proximal femur. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local ethics committee of all participating institutions. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: femur shaft fracture, elastic intramedullary nail, swivel rod, surgical treatment.

Assessment of Shoulder Function after Internal Fixation of Humeral Diaphyseal Fractures in Young Adults: A Prospective Comparative Study.

Background Humeral shaft fractures are commonly encountered in casualties. There are different methods of operative internal fixation with no consensus on the best technique. The objective of this study was to assess shoulder function and rate of complications among two different options of fixation, intramedullary nailing, and minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in young adults. Methods Forty-two patients with humeral shaft fractures were included in the study and divided into two equal groups: group A treated with antegrade intramedullary locked nails (IMN) and group B with MIPO. Fracture union was evaluated with serial X-rays, and shoulder function was assessed in both groups using the scale of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Scale (UCLA), and visual analog score (VAS). The mean differences between groups were recorded and considered significant if the P value was ˂0.05. Results The results were reported prospectively with no significant differences in mean age, sex, side of injury, type of fracture, mechanism of injury, and the follow-up period between the groups studied. Group A had shorter operative time and minimal blood loss than group B. Regarding shoulder function scores (ASES, UCLA, and VAS), the results in the MIPO group were better than the IMN group with shorter time of union and fewer complications. Conclusion Despite a shorter operative time and lower blood loss during locked intramedullary nail fixation in the management of humeral shaft fractures, MIPO enables more superior shoulder function with better fracture healing and lower morbidities.

Comparison of Expandable and Locked Intramedullary Nailing for Humeral Shaft Fractures.

IntroductionIn this study, we clinically and radiologically investigated whether the application of expandable nails for surgical treatment of humeral shaft fractures has an advantage over locked intramedullary nails.MethodsPatients treated with intramedullary fixation due to humeral shaft fractures in our clinic were investigated retrospectively. Patients with fractures of type 12A and 12B according to the AO classification in the middle 1/3 shaft region of the humerus were divided into two groups as those receiving fixation with expandable nails and with locked intramedullary nails. The union rate, union time, Q-DASH scores, duration of surgery, and complication rates were statistically compared between the two groups.ResultsThe study included 38 patients with clinical follow-up from among 47 patients; 20 patients received fixation with locked intramedullary nails and 18 with expandable nails. The mean age of the patients was 56.92 (19-91) years and 53% (n=20) were men while 47% (n=18) were women. During statistical evaluation, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups for union (100% and 72.2%) and complication rates (6% and 13%). More union and lower complication rates were found in patients treated with locked intramedullary nails. In comparing the mean of surgical times (71.1 and 30.2 min), expandable nails had a shorter surgical time. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the union time and Q-DASH scores between the two groups.ConclusionLocked intramedullary nails are a better fixation method than expandable nails due to the low complication rate and high rate of union. However, due to shorter surgery time, expandable nailing is an alternative method in limited cases.

Secondary radial neuropathy after closed intramedullary nailing of humeral shaft fractures. Results over a 10-year period

Retrospective study to examine secondary radial nerve palsy after humeral shaft fixation with closed locked intramedullary nailing. Patients were identified from the hospitals' registration systems for humeral shaft fractures, nerve lesions, plating, nailing and external fixation during a 10-year period from January 2007 to December 2016. All radial nerve lesions were registered and followed-up in patient files. 89 patients with locked intramedullary nailing were available for an outpatient follow-up. Mean age was 67 years at the time of injury. 72 fractures were non-pathological. Of these, 31 were nonunions. 28, 61 and zero were identified in the proximal, middle and distal thirds of the humeral shaft respectively. 76 procedures were closed and 13 were with open reduction. Six radial nerves had nerve exploration. Eight patients developed immediate postoperative radial nerve palsies. Of these, six developed after closed surgery, two after nerve exploration. Of seven available patients with a radial nerve palsy, six of these remitted. Two patients were later surgically explored. One patient out of 89 sustained a verifiable permanent radial nerve paralysis. In this study, the risk of a radial nerve palsy was 7.9 % with closed locked intramedullary nailing. This study suggests that exploration of the radial nerve is not necessary routinely in order to prevent radial nerve lesions when performing closed intramedullary nailing for humeral shaft fractures in adults with a preoperative normal radial nerve function. Level IV.