ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness and indications of deferred dynamization for nonunion of femoral shaft fractures after static interlocking nail. MethodsBetween March 2006 and June 2012, 26 patients with nonunion of femoral shaft fractures after static interlocking nail were treated with deferred dynamization, and their data were analyzed retrospectively. There were 19 males and 7 females with a mean age of 38 years (range, 22-46 years). Nonunion was found at 10-29 months (mean, 16 months) after open reduction and static interlocking nail for fracture fixation. Referring to Papakostidis criteria for nonunion, there were 7 cases of stable/hyperplastic type, 3 cases of stable/atrophic type, 12 cases of unstable/hyperplastic type, and 4 cases of unstable/atrophic type. ResultsAll incision healed at first stage. Twenty-six patients were followed up 10-28 months (mean, 14 months). A total of 16 (61.5%) fractures healed at 4-11 months after deferred dynamization (7 cases of stable/hyperplastic type and 9 cases of unstable/hyperplastic type); the other 10 fractures failed to heal. The healing rate was 100% (7/7) in patients with stable/hyperplastic type nonunion, 75% (9/12) in patients with unstable/hyperplastic type nonunion, and 0 in patients with stable/atrophic type and unstable/atrophic type nonunion. ConclusionDeferred dynamization is an effective method for hyperplastic nonunion of femoral shaft fractures after static interlocking nail, but it is not suitable for atrophic nonunion of femoral shaft fractures.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and reconstruction nail with minimally invasive technique for ipsilateral femoral shaft and extracapsular hip fractures in young and middle-aged patients. Methods Sixty-nine young and middle-aged patients with ipsilateral femoral shaft and extracapsular hip fractures were treated between January 2000 and August 2010, and their data were analyzed retrospectively. Of them, fractures were fixed by reconstruction nail in 44 cases (reconstruction nail group) and by PFNA in 25 cases (PFNA group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, weight, injury cause, fracture type, or disease duration between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The operation time, blood loss, fracture healing time, complications, and functional outcomes were compared between 2 groups to evaluate the effectiveness. Results The operation time and blood loss in the PFNA group were significantly less than those in the reconstruction nail group (P lt; 0.05). The follow-up time was 12-38 months (mean, 20 months ) in the PFNA group and was 12-48 months (mean, 22 months) in the reconstruction nail group. No complication occurred as follows in 2 groups: wound infection, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, breakage of the implants, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, or serious rotation and shortening deformity of lower limbs. In the PFNA group and the reconstruction nail group, 1 patient underwent technical difficulty in nail implant and 7 patients underwent technical difficulty in proximal locking screw, respectively; 3 patients and 6 patients had intra-operative iatrogenic fracture of femoral shaft, respectively; and delayed union of femoral shaft was observed in 1 patient and 2 patients, respectively. The complication rate was 20% (5/25) in the PFNA group and 34% (15/44) in the reconstruction nail group, showing no significant difference (χ2=1.538, P=0.215). No significant difference was found in fracture healing time between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in Harris hip score and Evanich knee score between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion PFNA or reconstruction nail with minimally invasive technique is a good method to treat ipsilateral femoral shaft and extracapsular hip fractures, but the PFNA is superior to the reconstruction nail because of simple operation.
Objective To evaluate the effect of minimally invasive dynamic hip screws (MIDHS) in treating aged intertrochanteric fractures. Methods From April 2006 to March 2008, 49 aged patients with intertrochanteric fractures were treated with MIDHS. There were 22 males and 27 females, aged 65-78 years (average 70.2 years). Frature was caused by trafficaccident in 7 cases, by fall ing from height in 3 cases, and by injury from fall in 39 cases. The time from injury to operation was 2-12 days (average 5.5 days). According to Evans classification, there were 28 cases of types I, II (stable fracture) and 21 cases of types III, IV (unstable fracture). If the Singh index≤3 was defined as osteoporosis, the osteoporotic rate was 71.4% (35/49). All patients were on a radiolucent fracture traction table and their fractures had satisfactory closed reduction. After the guide wire was inserted and reamed under fluoroscopy, the lag screw and side plate were introduced through the small incision. In all unstable fractures, an additional, antirotational and large cancellous bone screw was used cranial to the DHS. Results The average operation time was 65.2 minutes. The average blood loss was 189.3 mL. All patients had satisfactory reduction and 79.6% (39/49) had adequate lag screw positions. The average postoperative hospital ization days was 5.8 days (3-12 days). All incision healed at stage I. There was no postoperative complications. Forty-nine patients were followed up 12 to 30 months (average 19.8 months). Fractures healed within 16 weeks in 47 patients and the average healing time was 13.1 weeks (12-16 weeks). The average Harris scoring was 90.8 (75-95). Implant failure and nonunion occurred in 2 cases, no serious compl ication occurred in other patients. Conclusion The MIDHS is a simple, safe and effective method for treatment of aged intertrochanteric fractures.