Treatment of ununited femoral shaft fractures associated with locked nail breakage: comparison between closed and open revision techniques.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate and compare closed and open revision techniques in the treatment of ununited femoral shaft fractures associated with locked nail breakage.


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Ununited femoral shaft fractures associated with locked nail breakage were treated with either closed or open revision (nine or eighteen cases, respectively). The closed technique entailed closed removal of the broken nail and reinsertion of a stable intramedullary nail after reaming the marrow cavity. The open technique included open removal of the broken nail, reinsertion of a stable intramedullary nail or plate, and cancellous bone graft supplementation. Union rate, union period, perioperative course, and complications were compared.


RESULTS
Eight closed and fifteen open technique cases were followed for at least one year (median two years). Cases treated with the closed technique had a union rate of 100 percent, a union period of 4.4+/-0.9 months, an operating time of 1.5+/-0.4 hours, no blood transfusion, and no complications. Open technique cases demonstrated a union rate of 100 percent, a union period of 5.7+/-1.5 months (p = 0.033), an operating time of 2.4+/-0.4 hours (p < 0.001), blood transfusion of 1,000+/-500 milliliters (p < 0.001), and no complications.


CONCLUSIONS
We recommend the closed revision technique because its union period and operating time are shorter, and it does not require a blood transfusion. Because there is no local wound dissection, infection rates should also be lower. However, the procedure is technically demanding. If it cannot be completed successfully, using the open technique can still achieve a satisfactory outcome.
Wu
C C
CC
Department of Orthopedics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Shih
C H
CH
Chen
W J
WJ
Tai
C L
CL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001858:Bone Nails; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome