Abstract
Aims: The purpose of our study is to present pitfalls and complications of intramedullary nailing in the treatment of femoral fractures and to examine their effect in bone healing. Methods: 180 patiens, suffering a femoral fracture, underwent primary intramedullary nailing and were followed up from 1996 to 2000 in our clinic (mean 16 months). 163 were men and 17 were women with a mean age 28 years. Four types of implants were used including AO, R-T, GK reamed nails and AO-PFN in 15 patiens who suffered also a unilateral intertrochanteric fracture. Results: Almost all fractures (98%) healed successfully. Insigniþcant complications and pitfalls happened in 20% of patients but did not inhibit bone healing. They concerned predominantly the size of the nail, the entry point, the valgus of varus insertion of the wire guide and the position of nail and screws. Serious complications were: one case with ARDS, one with fat embolism, 3 non-unions, 7 malunions, 2 with positive Trendelenburg sign and 15 cases with knee joint stiffness. Conclusions: Pitfalls and complications during intramedullary nailing procedure for the surgical treatment of femoral fractures do happen. Usually they are of less technical importance and have no effect in bone healling.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
