Intramedullary nailing for pathological fractures of the proximal humerus caused by multiple myeloma: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Multiple myeloma(MM)bone disease is indicative of MM,and reduces patient life quality.In addition to oncological,antineoplastic systemic therapy,surgical therapy in patients with MM is an essential treatment within the framework of supportive therapy measures and involves orthopedic tumor surgery.Nevertheless,there are few reports on intramedullary(IM)nailing in the treatment of MM-induced proximal humeral fracture to prevent fixation loss.We here describe a case of pathological fracture of the proximal humerus caused by MM successfully treated with IM nailing without removal of tumors and a review of the current literature.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old male patient complaining of serious left shoulder pain and limited movement was admitted.The patient was finally diagnosed with MM(IgAλ,IIIA/II).After treatment of the pathological fracture with IM nailing,the patient's function recovered and his pain was rapidly relieved.Histopathological examination demonstrated plasma cell myeloma.The patient received chemotherapy in the Hematology Department.The humeral fracture displayed good union during the 40-mo follow-up,with complete healing of the fracture,and the clinical outcome was satisfactory.At the most recent follow-up,the patient's function was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score,which was 29.CONCLUSION Early surgery should be performed for the fracture of the proximal humerus caused by MM.IM nailing can be used without removal of tumors.Bone cement augmentation for bone defects and local adjuvant therapy can also be employed.

Indirect Reduction and Intramedullary Pinning in Severely Displaced Radial Neck Fractures in Children

Fractures of the radial neck account for 5-10% of traumatic lesions of the elbow in the child. Conservative method of reduction may fail to reduce severely displaced fractures. Open reduction of severely displaced radial neck fractures is associated with a high incidence of complications. The present study describes the results achieved after closed and indirect reduction of the severely displaced radial head using a 2-mm K-wire passed intramedullary from near the radial styloid. The bent tip of the K-wire was used to manipulate the displaced head back to the shaft without opening the fracture site. The indirect reduction of the radial head using bent intramedullary K-wire is a simple, minimally invasive method, easy to perform, and obtains encouraging results with few complications. Intramedullary pin also achieves fixation of the radial head after reduction and prevents its secondary displacement.

Minimally invasive treatment of forearm double fracture in adult using Acumed forearm intramedullary nail: A case report

BACKGROUND Currently,open reduction internal fixation is the conventional surgical method for treatment of double ulna and radius fracture.However,open reduction is associated with a high risk of complications.This case of forearm double fracture involved a patient treated using an Acumed intramedullary nail.The patient experienced good follow-up outcomes.The Acumed forearm intramedullary nail enables early functional exercise and hastens healing of the fracture.Few studies have reported on the use of this approach for the treatment of fractures.CASE SUMMARY A 23-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital after 5 h of pain,swelling,and limited activity of left forearm caused by a careless fall.Physical examination showed stable basic vital signs,swelling of the left forearm,and severe pain when pressing on the injured part of the forearm.Further,friction was felt at the broken end of the bone;the skin was not punctured.Movement of the left hand was normal,and the left radial artery pulse was normal.Three-dimensional computed tomography examination showed an ulna fracture of the left forearm and comminuted fracture of the radius.The fracture was located in the upper third of the radius,with significant displacement on the fracture side.Clinical diagnosis further confirmed the left radius comminuted fracture and ulna fracture.After analyzing the fracture pattern,age,and other patient characteristics,we chose an Acumed nail for treatment and achieved good follow-up outcomes.CONCLUSION Acumed forearm intramedullary nail for fixation of ulna and radius fracture reduced complication risk and resulted in good follow-up outcomes.

Evaluation of the bone metabolism balance and traumatic reaction of minimally invasive mippo intramedullary nail internal fixation treatment of femoral shaft fractures

Objective:To evaluate the bone metabolism balance and traumatic reaction of minimally invasive mippo intramedullary nail internal fixation treatment of femoral shaft fractures. Methods:80 patients with femoral shaft fractures who were treated in our hospital between May 2011 and December 2016 were collected and divided into control group (n=40) and observation group (n=40) according to random number table, control group received conventional steel plate internal fixation treatment, and observation group received minimally invasive mippo intramedullary nail internal fixation treatment. Differences in serum levels of bone formation indexes, bone resorption indexes, inflammatory factors, and pain mediators and so on were compared between two groups of patients before operation and 1 week after treatment.Results: Before operation, differences in serum levels of bone formation indexes, bone resorption indexes, inflammatory factors and pain mediators were not statistically significant between two groups of patients. After operation, serum bone formation indexes P ICP, BGP, BALP and ALP levels in observation group were higher than those in control group;serum bone resorption indexesβ-CTX and OPG levels were lower than those in control group;serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and CRP levels were lower than those in control group;serum pain mediators SP, PGE2 and 5-HT levels were lower than those in control group.Conclusion:Minimally invasive mippo intramedullary nail internal fixation treatment of femoral shaft fractures can promote the bone formation, relatively inhibit bone resorption and cause less traumatic reaction.

Risk Assessment of Retrograde Intramedullary Nailing for Proximal Humeral Fracture

In proximal humeral fracture except AO classification 11A1, fixations with a locking plate and nails are recommended. We performed mechanical tests to investigate whether retrograde intramedullary nailing has fixation stability comparable to those of anterograde intramedullary nailing and locking plate which achieve clinically favorable outcomes. In retrograde intramedullary nailing, a nail entry point is made in the diaphysis, for which reduction of stiffness of the humerus is of concern. Thus, we investigated the influence of a nail entry point made in the diaphysis on humeral strength. Retrograde intramedullary nailing had fixation stability against bending and a force loaded in the rotation direction comparable to those of anterograde intramedullary nail and locking plate. Displacement by the main external force loaded on the humerus, compressive load, was less than half in the bone fixed by retrograde intramedullary nailing compared with that in the bone fixed with a locking plate, showing favorable fixation stability. It was clarified that stiffness of the humerus against rotation and a load in the compression direction is not reduced by a nail entry point made by retrograde intramedullary nailing.

Screw Intramedullary Nailing for Fractures of the Humeral Shaft

The debate continues over the management of diaphyseal fractures of the humerus. There are a variety of extramedullary as well as intramedullary implants. We aim to propose a technique of passing the screw intramedullary nails and achieve union with least trauma to the shoulder and the rotator cuff. The multiple elastic screw nails achieve the inherent stability based on the principle of “three point fixation”. We aim to propose that the screw intramedullary nail is an effective implant to facilitate uneventful fracture union, with rapid recovery, low morbidity and low learning curve capable of being replicated in any smaller operative set up.

Treatment of femur supracondylar fracture with retrograde interlocking intramedullary nails in elderly patients

Objective： To report 32 cases of femur supracondylar fracture treated with retrograde interlocking intramedullary nails in elderly patients. Methods： According to the AO classification, all of 32 cases were classified as extra-articular type A. 32 cases were treated with interlocking intramedullary nail by closed insertion from intercondylar fossa of the knee. All cases accepted CPM exercise as early as possible after operation. Results： Following up 5 to 15 months, all fractures united within an average duration of 5.3 months （4-7 months）. According to the Shelbourne scale, the excellent rate of the knee function was 86.3%. Conclusion： Retrograde interlocking intramedullary nail is useful alternative implant for the treatment of osteoporotic supracondylar fracture of femur, particularly of the type A fracture in the elderly population. Its merits include stable fixation, high rate of fracture union and few complications.

Finite Element Analysis Study of Prototype of a Novel Intramedullary Injectable Bioresorbable Polymer Fixator versus a Volar Plate for Surgical Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures

Complications and shortcomings of volar plating, which is very widely used for surgical treatment of distal radius fractures, are well known. Thus, there is scope for alternative innovative surgical methods. In the present work, we used the finite element analysis method to compare the biomechanical performance of a model of a construct comprising a simulated distal radius fracture considered fixated using a notional intramedullary injectable bioresorbable polymer-bioresorbable balloon osteosynthesis system (“fixator”) versus using a commercially-available volar locking plate (VP). The biomechanical parameters determined were longitudinal stiffness and factor of safety under each of the applied loads.?For the fixator model, 1) each of the biomechanical parameters was markedly influenced by fracture gap fill ratio (FGFR) (defined as the proportion of the volume of the fracture gap that is considered occupied by the expanded polymer-filled balloon)?but not by modulus of elasticity assigned to the polymer;2) with FGFR = 100%, stiffness was comparable to that of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy VP construct model;and 3) stiffness was within the range of literature values for stiffness of constructs comprising simulated fractures in fresh cadaveric distal radii fixated using metal volar locking plate. These results suggest that the fixator may be an alternative modality to metal volar plating and, as such, deserves further evaluation.

Intramedullary bone pedestal formation contributing to femoral shaft fracture nonunion:A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Femoral shaft fracture is a commonly encountered orthopedic injury that can be treated operatively with a low overall delayed/nonunion rate.In the case of delayed union after antegrade or retrograde intramedullary nail fixation,fracture dynamization is often attempted first.Nonunion after dynamization has been shown to occur due to infection and other aseptic etiologies.We present a unique case of diaphyseal femoral shaft fracture nonunion after dynamization due to intramedullary cortical bone pedestal formation at the distal tip of the nail.CASE SUMMARY A 37-year-old male experienced a high-energy trauma to his left thigh after coming down hard during a motocross jump.Evaluation was consistent with an isolated,closed,left mid-shaft femur fracture.He was initially managed with reamed antegrade intramedullary nail fixation but had continued thigh pain.Radiographs at four months demonstrated no evidence of fracture union and failure of the distal locking screw,and dynamization by distal locking screw removal was performed.The patient continued to have pain eight months after the initial procedure and 4 mo after dynamization with serial radiographs continuing to demonstrate no evidence of fracture healing.The decision was made to proceed with exchange nailing for aseptic fracture nonunion.During the exchange procedure,an obstruction was encountered at the distal tip of the failed nail and was confirmed on magnified fluoroscopy to be a pedestal of cortical bone in the canal.The obstruction required further distal reaming.A longer and larger diameter exchange nail was placed without difficulty and without a distal locking screw to allow for dynamization at the fracture site.Post-operative radiographs showed proper fracture and hardware alignment.There was subsequently radiographic evidence of callus formation at one year with subsequent fracture consolidation and resolution of thigh pain at eighteen months.CONCLUSION The risk of fracture nonunion caused by intramedullary bone pedestal formation can be mitigated with the use of maximum length and diameter nails and close follow up.

Intramedullary Nailing of Type I and Type II Open Leg Fractures after 6 Hours at Yopougon Teaching Hospital

Emergency debridement has long been the standard of care for open fractures of the tibia as infection is an important complication. In developing countries, patients are admitted to teaching hospitals 6 to 24 hours after their initial trauma. We sought to evaluate outcomes of nailing and correlations between the risk of infection and the delay in surgery. Materials and methods: Medical files of 48 men and 15 women with a combined total of 63 open fractures of the leg during a 12-year period were reviewed. The mean age was 29 years. Thirty-four type I and 29 type II open fractures according to the classification of Cauchoix and Duparc were treated with Küntscher nail after excision/debridement. Preoperative CRP was performed in 27 patients and in 22 cases it was positive. Twenty-six fractures were treated within a period of 6 to 24 hours, and a further 37 was operated on beyond 24 hours. The average waiting time before surgery was 2 days. Results: The infection was present in 11 patients (17.5%). We failed to establish any correlation between the time of treatment and the occurrence of infection for both type I and type II fractures treated during the same intervals with p = 0.244 (p > 0.05). But we established a correlation between the type of open fracture and the occurrence of infection with p = 0.01 (p < 0.05). There were 10 cases of infection among 22 cases of positive preoperative CRP. We couldn’t find a correlation between the positive value of the preoperative CRP and the occurrence of infection. Seven cases of infection were treated with appropriate antibiotherapy and early revision surgery. Four others cases complicated to bone infection (n = 2) and septic nonunion (n = 2). The average time of hospitalization was 22 days. The average time for fracture healing was 7 months. Conclusion: The rule of six hours is hardly applicable in our contexts. Our study showed no correlation between the preoperative period and the occurrence of infection.

Bone metabolism and trauma degree of magnetic-guided intramedullary nail fixation for femoral shaft fracture

Objective:To explore the effect of magnetic-guided intramedullary nail fixation on bone metabolism and trauma degree in patients with femoral shaft fracture.Methods: A total of 128 patients with femoral shaft fractures who received surgical treatment in the hospital between April 2016 and November 2017 were divided into control group (n=64) and study group (n=64) according to the random number table method. Control group received the traditional intramedullary nail treatment, and study group received magnetic-guided intramedullary nail treatment. The differences in serum levels of bone metabolism indexes and inflammatory factors were compared between the two groups 48 h after surgery.Results: 48 h after surgery, serum bone formation indexes BGP, PⅠNP, PⅠCP and BAP levels of study group were higher than those of control group whereas bone resorption indexesβ-CTX, TRACP5b and NTX levels were lower than those of control group;serum inflammatory factors TGF-β, hs-CRP, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17 levels were lower than those of control group.Conclusion:Compared with traditional intramedullary nail therapy, magnetic-guided intramedullary nail fixation can more effectively balance the bone metabolism status and reduce the fracture end trauma in patients with femoral shaft fracture.

Trauma and bone metabolism of magnetic navigation intramedullary nail and traditional intramedullary nail fixation treatment of femoral shaft fracture

Objective:To analyze the trauma and bone metabolism of magnetic navigation intramedullary nail and traditional intramedullary nail fixation treatment of femoral shaft fracture. Methods:58 patients with femoral shaft fracture treated in our hospital between December 2011 and December 2015 were divided into observation group and control group by random number table (n=29). Control group received conventional intramedullary nail fixation treatment, and observation group received magnetic navigation intramedullary nail fixation treatment. 24 h after surgery, blood coagulation indexes, enzymology indexes, bone metabolism indexes and angiogenesis indexes were determined;6 months after surgery, bone mineral density levels were determined. Results:24 h after surgery, peripheral blood thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) levels of observation group were significantly higher than those of control group, and serum fibrinogen (FIB), D-Dimer (D-D), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CKMB), glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), sex hormone-binding globulin type I (SHBG), collagen cross-linked carboxyl-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) content were lower than those of control group while bone gla protein (BGP), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-α), angiogenin 1 (Ang-1), recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) content were higher than those of control group;6 months after surgery, fracture end bone mineral density (BMD) value of observation group was higher than that of control group. Conclusions:Magnetic navigation intramedullary nail treatment of femoral shaft fracture can more effectively reduce the surgical trauma, improve bone metabolism and increase bone mineral density.

Intramedullary Nailing of Femoral Shaft Fractures with Compressive Nailing Using Only Distal Dynamic Hole and Proximal Static Hole

Objectives: In this study we aimed to present our treatment results of intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures with compressive nailing using proximal static hole and only distal dynamic hole with one screw. Methods: Forty-three patients who had a fracture of the femoral shaft were managed between 2005 and 2008 with intramedullary nailing and the use of only one screw for distal interlocking. Prospectively we evaluated the union time, possible reoperation, fixation and fracture alignment, range of knee motion and complications. Results: Union occurred within a mean duration of 18.7 weeks. No failures of the fixation and fracture alignment and no more than 1 cm shortness were detected. The knee range of motion was all more than 90 degree. Only one deep venous thrombosis was detected as complication. Conclusions: Compressive nailing using proximal hole and only distal dynamic hole with one screw is a convenient technique for femur fractures.

Intramedullary nailing for irreducible spiral subtrochanteric fractures:A comparison of cerclage and non-cerclage wiring

Purpose:Intramedullary nailing is the preferred internal fixation technique for the treatment of subtrochanteric fractures because of its biomechanical advantages.However,no definitive conclusion has been reached regarding whether combined cable cerclage is required during intramedullary nailing treatment.This study is performed to compare the clinical effects of intramedullary nailing with cerclage and non-cerclage wiring in the treatment of irreducible spiral subtrochanteric fractures.Methods:Patients with subtrochanteric fractures admitted to our center from January 2013 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were enrolled in the case-control study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into the non-cerclage group and the cerclage group.The patients'clinical data,including the operative time,intraoperative blood loss,hospital stay,reoperation rate,fracture union time,and Harris hip score,were compared between these 2 groups.Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test.Continuous variables with normal distribution were presented as mean±standard deviation and analyzed with Student's t-test.Nonnormally distributed variables were expressed as median(Q_(1),Q_(3))and assessed using the Mann-Whitney test.A p<0.05 was considered significant.Results:In total,69 patients were included in the study(35 patients in the non-cerclage group and 34 patients in the cerclage group).The baseline data of the 2 groups were comparable.There were no significant difference in the length of hospital stay(z=-0.391,p=0.696),operative time(z=-1.289,p=0.197),or intraoperative blood loss(z=-1.321,p=0.186).However,compared with non-cerclage group,the fracture union time was shorter(z=-5.587,p<0.001),the rate of nonunion was lower(χ^(2)=6.030,p=0.03),the anatomical reduction rate was higher(χ^(2)=5.449,p=0.03),and the Harris hip score was higher(z=-2.99,p=0.003)in the cerclage group,all with statistically significant differences.Conclusions:Intramedullary nailing combined with cable cerclage wiring is a safe and reliable technique for the treatment of irreducible subtrochanteric fractures.This technique can improve the reduction effect,increase the stability of fracture fixation,shorten the fracture union time,reduce the occurrence of nonunion,and contribute to the recovery of hip joint function.

Olecranon anatomy:Use of a novel proximal interlocking screw for intramedullary nailing,a cadaver study

AIM: To define the optimum safe angle of use for an eccentrically aligned proximal interlocking screw(PIS) for intramedullary nailing(IMN).METHODS: Thirty-six dry cadaver ulnas were split into two equal pieces sagitally. The following points were identified for each ulna: the deepest point of the incisura olecrani(A), the point where perpendicular lines from A and the ideal IMN entry point(D) are intersected(C) and a point at 3.5 mm(2 mm safety distance from articular surface + 1.5 mm radius of PIS) posterior from point A(B). We calculated the angle of screws inserted from point D through to point B in relation to D-C and B-C. In addition, an eccentrically aligned screw was inserted at a standard 20° through the anterior cortex of the ulna in each bone and the articular surface wasobserved macroscopically for any damage.RESULTS: The mean A-C distance was 9.6 mm(mean ± SD, 9.600 ± 0.763 mm), A-B distance was 3.5 mm, C-D distance was 12.500 mm(12.500 ± 1.371 mm) and the mean angle was 25.9°(25.9°± 2.0°). Lack of articular damage was confirmed macroscopically in all bones after the 20.0° eccentrically aligned screws were inserted. Intramedullary nail fixation systems have well known biological and biomechanical advantages for osteosynthesis. However, as well as these well-known advantages, IMN fixation of the ulna has some limitations. Some important limitations are related to the proximal interlocking of the ulna nail. The location of the PIS itself limits the indications for which intramedullary systems can be selected as an implant for the ulna. The new PIS design, where the PIS is aligned 20°eccentrically to the nail body, allows fixing of fractures even at the level of the olecranon without disturbing the joint. It also allows the eccentrically aligned screw to be inserted in any direction except through the proximal radio-ulnar joint. Taking into consideration our results, we now use a 20° eccentrically aligned PIS for all ulnas. In our results, the angle required to insert the PIS was less than 20° for only one bone. However, 0.7° difference corresponds to placement of the screw only 0.2 mm closer to the articular surface. As we assume 2.0 mm to be a safe distance, a placement of the screw 0.2 mm closer to the articular surface may not produce any clinical symptoms.CONCLUSION: The new PIS may give us the opportunity to interlock IMN without articular damage and confirmation by fluoroscopy if the nail is manufactured with a PIS aligned at a 20.0° fixed angle in relation to the IMN.

Finite Element Analysis of Coronal Shear Fractures of the Femoral Neck: Displacement of the Femoral Head and Effect of Osteosynthetic Implants

Coronal shear fractures of the femoral neck (CSFF) are the most challenging to treat among proximal femur fractures, directly affecting the life expectancy of patients with osteoporosis. However, an adequate osteosynthesis method has not been elucidated yet. This study investigated the displacement direction of the femoral head fragment and its effect on the bone using finite element method. A finite element model for CSFF was developed from CT image data of a patient with osteoporosis using Mechanical Finder (ver. 11). Subsequently, finite element analyses were performed on six osteosynthesis models under maximum load applied during walking. The compressive stresses, tensile stresses, and compressive strains of each model were examined. The results suggested that the compressive and tensile stress distributions were concentrated on the anterior side of the femoral neck. Compressive strain distribution in the femoral head and neck was concentrated in four areas: at the tip of the blade or lag screw, the anteroinferior side of the blade or lag screw near the fracture site, and the upper right and lower left near the junction of the blade or lag screw and nail. Thus, the distribution of both these stresses revealed that the femoral head fragment was prone to anterior and inferior displacement. Distribution of compressive strains revealed the direction of the stress exerted by the osteosynthetic implant on the bone. The same results were observed in all osteosynthetic implants;thus, the findings could lay the foundation for developing methods for placing osteosynthetic implants less prone to displacement and the osteosynthetic implants themselves. In particular, the study provides insight into the optimal treatment of CSFF.

A comparative study of the therapeutic effect between long and short intramedullary nails in the treatment of intertrochanteric femur fractures in the elderly

Purpose： To compare the clinical effects of long vs. short intramedullary nails in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in old patients more than 65 years old. Methods： A retrospective analysis of 178 cases of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur （AO type AI and A2） in the elderly was conducted from January 2008 to December 2013. There were 85 males （47.8%） and 93 females （52.2%） with the age of 65-89 （70.2 ±10.8） years. The patients were treated by closed reduction and long or short intramedullary nail （Gamma 3） fixation. The length of short nail was 180 mm and that for long nail was 320-360 ram. The general data of patients, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, preoperative hemoglobin level, blood transfusion rate, postoperative periprosthetic fractures, infections, complications, etc were carefully recorded. Results： There were 76 cases （42.7%） in the long intramedullary nail group and 102 cases （57.3%） in the short nail group. All the cases were followed up for 12-48 （21.3 ± 6.8） months, during which there were 21 deaths （11.8%）, mean （13.8 ± 6.9） months after operation. The intraoperative blood loss was （90.7±50.6） ml in short nail group, greatly less than that in long nail group （127.8 _＋ 85.9） ml （p 0.004）. The short nail group also had a significantly shorter operation time （43.5 min ± 12.3 min vs. 58.5 rain ± 20.3 min, p = 0.002） and lower rate of postoperative transfusion （42.3% vs. 56.7%, p =0.041 ）. But the length of hospital stay showed no big differences. After operation, in each group there was 1 case of periprosthetic fracture with a total incidence of 1.1%, 1.3%; in long nail group and 0.9% in short nail group. At the end of the follow-up, all patients achieved bony union. The average healing time of the long nail group was （6.5 ±3.1 ） months, and the short nail group was （6.8 ± 3.7） months, revealing no sig- nificant differences （p = 0.09）. Postoperative complications showed no great differences either. Conclusion： Both the intramedullary long and short nail fixation has a good clinical effect in treating intertrochanteric femur fractures in the elderly. They showed no significant difference in terms of therapeutic effect, hospital stay and postoperative complications. The incidence of periprosthetic frac- tures treated by either length of nails was low. But short intramedullary nailing can obviously decrease the intraooerative blood loss, ooeration time and postooerative blood transfusion.

Rotary self-locking intramedullary nail for long tubular bone fractures

Background Intramedullary nails had been widely used in the treatment of long-bone fractures because of less interference of fractures and center bearing biomechanical advantage. However, it had been also found many shortcomings such as broken nails, delayed healing and was modified in order to achieve better efficacy and reduce complications. The aim of the present study is to compare the efficacy of rotary self-locking intramedullary nails （RSIN） with that of interlocking intramedullary nails （IIN） in the treatment of long-bone fractures.

Comparative study of the efficacy of gentamicin-coated intramedullary interlocking nail versus regular intramedullary interlocking nail in Gustilo type I and II open tibia fractures

Purpose:Open tibia fracture is prone to infection,consequently causing significant morbidity and increasing the hospital stay,occupational loss and onset of chronic osteomyelitis.Intramedullary nailing is one choice for treating tibia shaft fractures.To improve the delivery of antibiotics at the tissue-implant interface,many methods have been proposed as a part of prophylaxis against infection.This study was conducted to study the role of gentamicin-impregnated intramedullary interlocking(IMIL)nail in the prevention of infection in Gustilo typeⅠandⅡopen tibia fractures and to compare the results with regular intramedullary nail.Methods:The study included 28 patients with open tibia fractures(Gustilo type 1 or type 2);of them 14 underwent regular IMIL nailing and the other 14 were treated with gentamicin-coated nailing.Randomization was done by alternate allocation of the patients.Follow-up was done postoperatively(day 1),1 week,6 weeks,and 6 months for bone union,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),hemoglobin and C?reactive protein(CRP).Statistical significance was tested using unpaired t-test.A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results:There were 4 cases of infection in controls(regular IMIL nail)and no infection among patients treated with gentamicin-coated nail during the follow up(Х^2=4.66,p=0.031).At 6 months postoperatively,CRP(p=0.031),ESR(p=0.046)and hemoglobin level(p=0.016)showed significant difference between two groups.The bone healing rate was better with gentamicin-coated nail in comparison to regular IMIL nail at 6 months follow-up(p=0.016).Conclusion:Gentamicin-coated IMIL nail has a positive role in preventing infection in Gustilo typeⅠandⅡopen tibia fractures.