title: Reamed interlocking intramedullary nailing of open fractures of the tibia.
abstract: One hundred twelve open tibial fractures were treated by reamed interlocking nailing in 108 patients. There were 31 (28%) Grade I fractures, 38 (34%) Grade II, 23 Grade IIIA (21%), and 20 (18%) Grade IIIB fractures. Early amputation was performed in 2 (10%) Grade IIIB fractures for severe crushing injuries. Compartment syndrome complicated 8 (7%) fractures. Mean time to union was 29 weeks for Grade I fractures, 32 weeks for Grade II, 34 weeks for Grade IIIA, and 39 weeks for Grade IIIB. Nonunion complicated 9 (8%) fractures: 1 (3%) Grade I fracture, 2 (5%) Grade II fractures, 3 (13%) Grade IIIA fractures, and 3 (17%) Grade IIIB fractures. Deep infection complicated 4 Grade II fractures (10%) and 2 (11%) Grade IIIB fractures. Reamed locking intramedullary nailing is a safe and effective technique for management of open tibial fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Keating
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Blachut
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Meek
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Broekhuyse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome