Treatment of open fractures of the tibial shaft: Ender nailing versus external fixation. A randomized, prospective comparison.
A randomized, prospective study comparing Ender nailing with external fixation for open fractures of sixty-three tibiae (sixty patients) was undertaken. Ender nailing proved to be at least as effective as external fixation with respect to seven parameters: time to union, tibial alignment, total number of operations, ranges of motion of the knee and ankle, pain, presence of infection, and complications. Ender nailing is a safe alternative to external fixation for grade-I and grade-II open fractures. It should not be used for comminuted fractures, which might shorten about the nails.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
J L
JL
Holbrook
M F
MF
Swiontkowski
R
R
Sanders
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D002648:Child; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011897:Random Allocation; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*