title: Fixation of femoral shaft fractures with a flexible bundle-type nail.
abstract: In a prospective study, 31 consecutive patients with a femoral shaft fracture were treated with the Marchetti-Vicenzi intramedullary flexible bundle-type nail. Open reduction of the fracture was necessary in 25 of the 31 patients (81%). Twenty-five of the 31 fractures (81%) united within 2.5 to 6 months after the operation (mean, 4.2 months). Nonunion occurred in one patient (3.2%). Other complications included delayed union in five patients (16%), femoral shortening in five (16%), breakage of the distal pins in two (6.5%), and severe varus malunion in two patients (6.5%). Because of the high complication rate in this series, the authors no longer use the Marchetti-Vicenzi flexible nail for treatment of femoral shaft fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Athens University Medical School, Hellenic Republic, Greece.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Babis
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Papagelopoulos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tsarouchas
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Zoubos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sapkas
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pantazopoulos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography