Objective To determine the efficacy and complication rate of intramedullary nailing versus compression plate in the treatment of adult humeral shaft fracture. Methods We searched the specialized trials register of The Cochrane Collaboration’s Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group, The Cochrane Library (including CENTRAL), MEDLINE (1966 to 2006), EMbase (1980 to 2006), PubMed (1966 to 2006), NRR , CCT and CBMdisc (1979 to July 2006). We also handsearched some Chinese orthopedic journals. Data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently. Randomize controlled trials comparing intramedullary nailing versus compression plate for humeral shaft fracture in adults were included and the quality of these trials was critically assessed. Data analyses were done using The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2.8. Results Three randomize controlled trials involving 215 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that intramedullary nailing may increase the re-operation rate (OR=2.68, 95%CI 1.19 to 6.04, P=0.02), pain in the shoulder (OR=13.02, 95%CI 2.23 to 75.95, P=0.004), and the rate of decreased range of motion of the shoulder (OR=18.60, 95%CI 1.01 to 341.83, P=0.05). The rates of no union, infection and iatrogenic radial nerve injury were comparable between intramedullary nailing and compression plate. Meta-analysis was not conducted for the time of union, because the relevant data were not available for the included trials. Conclusions Further well-designed and large-scale randomize controlled trials are required to determine the effects of intramedullary nailing and compression plate on these outcomes, because the trials available for this systematic review are too few and too small.
Objective To compare the outcomes between intramedullary nail change and augmentation plating with a retained intramedullary nail for aseptic nonunion of femoral shaft fractures after femoral nailing, and to analyze the cause so as to guide the clinical application. Methods Between June 2001 and June 2011, 28 patients with aseptic nonunion of femoral shaft fractures after femoral nailing were treated with intramedullary nail change (11 patients, group A) and augmentation plating with a retained intramedullary nail (17 patients, group B), and the clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. There was no significant difference in age, gender, smoking, location of fracture, Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF) classification, type of injury, associated injury, type of nonunion, and time of nonunion between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The patients were followed up by imaging and the clinical function at regular intervals to observe the callus growth and the recovery condition of the affected limb function, and clinical curative effectiveness was evaluated by Tohner-Wrnch standard. Results The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, and intraoperative erythrocyte-transported volume in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative drainage volume and hospitalization days between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). All the incisions healed by first intention, and no nerve and blood vessel injury occurred. All patients were followed up 18.6 months on average (range, 12-36 months). All cases obtained bone union, and time of clinical and radiological bone healing in group B was significantly shorter than those in group A (P lt; 0.05). During follow-up, no following complication occurred: deep incision infection, injuries of blood vessels and nerves, loosening and breakage of internal fixation, loss of reduction, angulated and rotational malunion. According to Tohner-Wrnch standard at last follow-up, the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 3 cases, and poor in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 81.8% in group A; the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 5 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100% in group B; and difference was significant between 2 groups (Z= — 2.623, P=0.021). Conclusion Augmentation plating with a retained intramedullary nail is an ideal treatment for aseptic nonunion of femoral shaft fractures after femoral nailing and can achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes because it has simpler operation, shorter operation time, less blood loss, and less trauma than intramedullary nail change.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of three different operative methods in the treatment of closed fracture of the tibial shaft. MethodsBetween January 2012 and May 2014, 94 patients with closed fracture of the tibial shaft were treated, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Fracture was fixed with locking plate (external fixation) in 25 cases (group A), with intramedullary nail in 34 cases (group B), and with minimally invasive locking plate in 35 cases (group C). There was no significant difference in gender, age, reasons of injury, fracture types, and time from injury to operation among groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy frequency during operation, fracture union time, and complications were recorded. The effectiveness was evaluated according to Johner-Wruhs criteria. ResultsThe operation time and fluoroscopy frequency during operation in groups A and C were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups A and C (P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss in groups A and C was significantly less than that in group B (P<0.05), and the blood loss in group A was significantly less than that in group C (P<0.05). All patients were followed up 15.61 months on average (range, 12-41 months). There was no significant difference in fracture union time among 3 groups (F=1.712, P=0.186). The excellent and good rates of groups A, B, and C were 92.00%, 88.24%, and 91.43% respectively according to Johner-Wruhs criteria at 12 months after operation, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.301, P=0.860). At 12 months after operation, the complication incidences of groups A (12.00%, 3/25), and C (15.55%, 5/35) were significantly lower than that of group B (44.12%, 15/34) (P<0.017), but no significant difference was found between groups A and C (P>0.017). ConclusionUsing locking plate as external fixation and minimally invasive locking plate internal fixation are better than intramedullary nail fixation in treating closed fracture of tibial shaft because of less injury and lower complication incidence, and locking plate as external fixation is better than minimally invasive locking plate internal fixation because of less injury.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of bone transportation by ring type extenal fixator combined with locked intramedullary nail for tibial non-infectious defect. MethodsBetween June 2008 and October 2012, 22 cases of tibial large segment defect were treated. There were 15 males and 7 females, aged 24-58 years (mean, 36.8 years), including 17 cases of postoperative nonunion or malunion healing, and 5 cases of large defect. After debridement, bone defect size was 5.0-12.5 cm (mean, 8.05 cm). Bone transportation was performed by ring type external fixator combined with locked intramedullary nail, the mean indwelling duration of external fixation was 10.2 months (range, 2-26 months); the external fixation index was 1.57 months/cm (range, 0.3-3.2 months/cm); and the mean length increase was 8.05 cm (range, 5.0-12.5 cm). ResultsAll patients were followed up 19-58 months (mean, 32 months). No infection occurred after operation and all patients obtained bony union, and the union time was 4.7-19.4 months (mean, 11.9 months). Complications included refracture (1 case), skin crease (1 case), lengthening failure (1 case), foot drop (2 cases), retractions of the transport segment (1 case), delay of mineralization (1 case), which were cured after corresponding treatment. According to Hohl knee evaluation system to assess knee joint function after removal of external fixator and intramedullary nail, the results were excellent in 15 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 90.9%; according to Baird-Jackson ankle evaluation system to evaluate ankle joint function, the results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 7 cases, and poor in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 59.1%. ConclusionBone transportation by ring type external fixator combined with locked intramedullary nail could increase stability of extremities, allow early removal of external fixator and avoid axis shift of extremities, so it has good effect in treating tibial noninfectious defect.
ObjectiveTo design an auto-compressive and anti-circumrotate intramedullary nail( ACACIN) and to evaluate the preliminary clinical efficacy on fixing adult femur fracture. Methods From January 1998 to June 2001, 23 patientswith femur fracture were stabilized with auto-compressive and anti-circumrotateintramedullary nail. 2-4 elastic blocks were installed into the proximal and distal different distance of quincunx nail to defend circumrotate and axis compress. Results Fracture healing were obtained in all 23 patients treated with auto-compresseiveand anti-circumrotate intramedullary nail, the time of fracture healing was 6-13 weeks in 21 cases and 15-22 weeks in 2 cases of old fracture. There was no complication related to infection, nail break, abnormal union and joint ankylosis. The results were excellent in 19 cases, good in 3 cases, and moderate in 1 case according Kolmert’s criterion for function ; the effective rate was 95.7%. Conclusion Auto-compressive and anti-circumrotate intramedullary nail has a suitable radian for adult femur, can afford stable fixation, anti-circumrotate andaxis compress.
Objective To describe a surgical device for closed reduction of tibial fracture and investigate its clinical effectiveness. Methods Between June 2010 and December 2012, 24 cases of tibial fractures were treated with intramedullary nailing using a surgical device for closed reduction. There were 18 males and 6 females with an average age of 40 years (range, 20-64 years). All fractures were closed. There were 3 proximal third fractures, 12 middle third fractures, and 9 distal third fractures. According to AO classification, 12 cases were classified as type A, 8 cases as type B, and 4 cases as type C. The mean time between injury and operation was 3 days (range, 1-12 days). The intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency to confirm closed reduction and guide wire passing the fracture site, and the duration between fracture reduction and nail insertion were recorded. The injured limb alignment and fracture angular deformity were measured as described by Freedman et al. The fuction of affected limb was estimated by Johner-Wruhs criteria. Results Closed reduction was successfully performed in 24 patients. The mean fluoroscopy frequency to confirm closed reduction was 3 (range, 2-5). The fluoroscopy frequency to confirm guide wire passing the fracture site was 2. The mean duration between fracture reduction and nail insertion was 30 minutes (range, 20-42 minutes). No intraoperative or postoperative complication occurred, such as infection, vessel and nerve injuries. All incisions healed by first intention. Seventeen patients were followed up 6-16 months (mean, 10 months). Radiographic evidence showed that bridging callous was observed at 2-4 months (mean, 2.5 months). The injured limb alignment was normal on anteroposterial and lateral radiographs at 5 months postoperatively, no malalignment and obvious angular deformity was observed. The internal fixator had good position. According to Johner-Wruhs criteria for evaluation of the affected limb function, the results were excellent in 12 cases and good in 5 cases with an excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion The surgical device for closed reduction of tibial fracture is simple and easy to use, and has good effectiveness combined with intramedullary nailing.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress in the lower limb lengthening by intramedullary nail. MethodsThe domestic and foreign related literature about the lower limb lengthening by intramedullary nail was reviewed, summarized, and analyzed. ResultsThe intramedullary nail lengthening systems can be divided into 3 types:distraction by mechanical strength, by motorized electronic power, or by motorized magnetic force. The new technology has obvious advantages in complication incidence, limb function, bone healing rate, comfortable and cosmetic degree of the patients, and hospitalization days compared with the external fixation, but it also has the disadvantages including lengthening failure of system breakdown, intramedullary infection, injuries of vessel and nerve, limited distraction length, and expensive price of the apparatus. And the method also has several contraindications:narrow medulla, multiple curves of medulla, osteomyelitis, skin infection, and unclosed epiphyseal plate. ConclusionThe lower limb lengthening by intramedullary nail is a major improvement of Ilizarov technology. Although the method has been used in limited cases, the preliminary clinical results are excellent, and it can be regarded as a new trend of the limb lengthening, bone reconstruction, and deformity correction.
Objective To explore the application of intramedullary nail fixation combined with auxiliary plate and bone cement in the palliative treatment of pathologic fracture of extremities caused by metastatic tumors. Methods Clinical data of 11 cases with pathologic fracture of extremities caused by metastatic tumors between April 2015 and October 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were treated by intramedullary nail fixation combined with auxiliary plate and bone cement. There were 6 males and 5 females with an age of 54-72 years (mean, 62.9 years). The disease duration was 1.0-1.5 months. Of the 11 patients, 4 metastatic tumors were diagnosed at humerus, 6 at femur, and 1 at tibia, respectively. And the tumor infiltration length ranged from 3.3 to 5.6 cm (mean, 4.6 cm), the depth could reach the bilayer of limb bones. All the patients had suffered the limbs pain and incapability of physical movement. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.36±1.03, and the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score was 42.73±10.09. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were recorded. The VAS score, KPS score, and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score were used to evaluate the effectiveness at 3 months after operation. Results The operation time was 1.1-1.8 hours (mean, 1.5 hours), the intraoperative blood loss was 102.5-211.3 mL (mean, 135.6 mL). Postoperative limb incisions healed well without infection, necrosis, and delayed healing or other complications. All the patients were followed up 7-10 months (mean, 8.2 months). At 3 months after operation, the functions of limbs recovered. The VAS score decreased to 0.82±0.75 and the KPS score increased to 85.45±5.22, both showing significant difference when compared with preoperative ones (t=35.218, P=0.000; t=–18.470, P=0.000); and the MSTS score was 23.91±2.47. At last follow-up, the anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films showed that all the limbs healing well and no breakage of intramedullary nail and steel plate, or loosening in bone cement, limb shortening, malalignment, or other complications occurred. Conclusion In treating metastatic tumors of extremities, the combination of intramedullary nail fixation with auxiliary plate and bone cement will contribute to an invariable length and fixed location for limbs, resulting in biomechanical stability for skeleton. Under this premise, the tumor lesions can be eliminated and pathological pains be relieved, so as to improve patients’ life quality.
ObjectiveTo review the cause, treatment, and prevention of complications of retrograde intramedullary nail fixation for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis and enhance the recognition on the complications of tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. MethodsThe recent literature concerning intramedullary nail fixation for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis was consulted and reviewed. ResultsThere are intraoperative and postoperative complications of intramedullary nail fixation for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis, and the causes, treatment, and prevention of complications are various. ConclusionProgress of retrograde intramedullary nail fixation increases the successful rate of tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. However, there is still a high complication rate, so strict preoperative assessment and skilled surgical technique are necessary to prevent complications.
Objective To study the effect of internal fixation with absorbable intramedullary nail on the treatment of phalange fractures in replantation of severed finger. Methods From September 2001 to October 2003, 28 cases with industrial severed finger (21 males and 7 females, with the age of 18-35 years) were replanted within 1-6 hours. The severed locations were index fingers in 11 cases, middle fingers in 8 cases, ring fingers in 6 cases, little fingers in 3 cases. All cases of phalange fractures were fixed by absorbable intramedullary nails of poly-DL-lactic acid(PDLLA) that combined with chitosan. Out of the 28 cases, 15 cases were with proximal phalange, 11 cases were with middle phalange, 2 cases were with distal phalange. The bone marrow cavity of the phalanges were dilated, then the intramedullary nail was inserted with suitable diameter and length to fix the fracture. Postoperatively resin bandage was applied for 3-4 weeks.Results All the 28 patients survived the performance and postoperative follow-up ranged from 3 to 10 months(4 months in average). Rejection was observed in one case 3 weeks after operation, bone unions were obtained in other cases. According to the Chinese Medical Association’s evaluation standard for replantation of amputated finger, 18 fingers resulted in excellence, 9 fingers in good function and 1 with unsatisfactory function. The excellent and good rate was 96.4%. Conclusion Internal fixation with absorbable intramedullary nail of PDLLA combined with chitosan proves to be effective in the replantation of severed finger.