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Abstract
This paper reports early experiences with the immediate use of the AO unreamed tibial
nail, the immediate complications and the 14 months follow-up of 13 patients with
Gustilo grades I, II and IIIa open tibial fractures. The nail insertion technique
was found to be clear and quickly acquired by the surgeons unfamiliar with it. There
were two equipment complications associated with insertion and one early compartment
syndrome. Two patients needed a split skin graft and one other patient required hyperbaric
oxygen therapy with a split skin graft to bring about impact wound closure. At 14
months two nails had been electively removed. There had been four cases of locking
bolt failure leading to metalwork exchange in two cases, metalwork exchange and bone
graft in one case and nail removal in one cases. Two patients had undergone bone graft
with nail removal or exchange. Five patients had undergone no further bony procedures.
Four patients had not achieved bony union. There were no cases of early or late bone
or soft-tissue infection. The authors suggest that the unreamed nail principle has
a valuable place in the early management of open tibial fractures.
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 24,
1994
Identification
Copyright
© 1994 Published by Elsevier Inc.
