title: Retrograde intramedullary nailing in distal femoral fractures--results in a series of 46 consecutive operations.
abstract: We present a series of 44 consecutive patients with 46 distal femoral fractures, who were treated with a retrograde intramedullary nail (Distal Femoral Nail (DFN)). Operational data, per- and post-operative complications and the outcome were studied retrospectively after a mean follow-up of 9 months. The final union rate was 95%, with a mean union time of 17.5 (8-68) weeks. Restoration of the limb axial alignment and length was inadequate in two cases, whereas three losses of reduction and one non-union were observed. Two cases of distal locking screw breakage were also observed. Moreover, one patient suffered from an iatrogenic lesion of the branch of the deep femoral artery. No deep, but three superficial infections were observed. In conclusion, our results suggest that DFN is a reliable alternative in distal femoral fracture treatment with a low complication rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Topeliuksenkatu 5, Helsinki 00260, Finland. lauri.handolin@hus.fi
authors.forename: Lauri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Handolin
authors.forename: Jarkko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pajarinen
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindahl
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hirvensalo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001858:Bone Nails; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome