title: Retrograde intramedullary nailing of femoral diaphyseal fractures caused by low-velocity gunshots.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of retrograde intramedullary nailing of femoral diaphyseal fractures caused by low-velocity gunshots. Seventy-three patients (68 men and 5 women) with 74 femoral diaphyseal fractures caused by gunshots were treated with reamed, retrograde, statically locked intramedullary nailing. The main outcome measures were fracture union, the need for additional operations, shortening, angular deformity, postoperative knee range of motion, and complication rate. Twenty-nine patients sustained additional injuries. During initial treatment, 18 patients underwent further orthopedic and nonorthopedic elective procedures. Three patients had fasciotomies for compartment syndrome. At follow-up, 3 patients had shortening >10 mm (range, 12-18 mm) and 1 had angulation >10 degrees (13 degrees recurvatum). Four patients underwent surgeries after discharge. Complications included 1 case of heterotopic bone formation, 1 hypertrophic nonunion that went on to union after dynamization, 2 postoperative positive blood cultures, and 1 wound dehiscence. There were no cases of septic arthritis. Our data indicate that there is a low incidence of shortening, angular deformity, complication, and infection rates following treatment of femoral gunshot diaphyseal fractures with a retrograde nail. This study demonstrates that this is an acceptable alternative for the treatment of these injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St Louis University, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Cannada
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guerrero-Bejarano
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Viehe
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Ostrum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014193:Trauma Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult