Bilateral femoral fractures: does intramedullary nailing increase systemic complications and mortality rates?
In order to evaluate the impact of simultaneous intramedullary nailing in patients with bilateral femoral fractures on systemic complications a comprehensive review of the literature was performed. Four studies reporting the results of 197 patients following trauma were analysed. The mean Injury Severity Score was 20.6 (range, 9-75). According to the data available, reamed intramedullary nailing was performed in 96% of the cases. The incidence of fat embolism was 4.1%, ARDS 14.6% and pulmonary embolism 6.9%. The overall mortality was 6%. The mean hospital stay was 17.9 days (range, 4-108). Bilateral femoral fractures have a high risk of complications and mortality. Damage control surgery should be considered in these cases where the clinician anticipates the development of systemic complications.
Panagiotis
P
Stavlas
Peter V
PV
Giannoudis
D001858:Bone Nails / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome