Comparative multicenter study of treatment of multi-fragmented tibial diaphyseal fractures with nonreamed interlocking nails and with bridging plates.
OBJECTIVE
A prospective, randomized study to compare patients with closed, multi-fragmented tibial diaphyseal fractures treated using one of two fixation methods undertaken during minimally invasive surgery: nonreamed interlocking intramedullary nails or bridging plates.


METHODS
Forty-five patients were studied; 22 patients were treated with bridging plates, 23 with interlocking nails without reaming. All fractures were Type B and C (according to the AO classification).


RESULTS
Clinical and radiographic healing occurred in all cases. No cases of infection occurred. The healing time for patients who received nails was longer (4.32 weeks on average) than the healing time for those who received plates (P = 0.026). No significant differences were observed between the two methods regarding ankle mobility for patients in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The healing time was shorter with the bridging plate technique, although no significant functional differences were found.
Fernandes
Hélio Jorge Alvachian
HJ
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Clinics Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Sakaki
Marcos Hideyo
MH
Silva
Jorge dos Santos
Jdos S
dos Reis
Fernando Baldy
FB
Zumiotti
Arnaldo Valdir
AV
D001858:Bone Nails; D001860:Bone Plates; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome