Delayed open reduction of isolated fractures of the femoral shaft.
Twenty-five isolated fractures of the femoral shaft treated by delayed open reduction and internal fixation are reported. On the average, operation was done 13.4 days after fracture. Several early postfracture complications, including fat embolism in 20% of the cases, were resolved before operation. There were no nonunions, refractures, or deep infections. Delaying operation until revascularization and callus formation are under way ultimately produces less tissue destruction and ischemia and may partially explain the decreased incidence of infection seen in this series.
D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011300:Preoperative Care