Fractures of the femoral shaft treated surgically. Comparative results of early and delayed operative stabilization.
In a study of the results of operative reduction and internal stabilization of eighty-nine femoral fractures, operative reduction was performed within six days in fifty-four of the fractures and between seven and thirty days in thirty-five. Dual Eggers plates were used in sixty-three fractures; intramedullary nails, in eighteen; a nail-plate, in six; and a single plate, in two fractures. The criteria for ultimate healing were roentgenographic demonstration of bridging callus and the ability of the patient to bear full, unsupported weight on the extremity. Healing that occurred later than  nine months after fracture was considered to be delayed. In the group treated by early operative management, the incidence of delayed union was 18 per cent and of non-union, 18 per cent. In the group treated by delayed operative management, the incidence of delayed union was 3 per cent and there were no instances of non-union. All ten non-unions, ten of the eleven delayed unions, and five of the six infections occurred in the early operative group.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing