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 application value of lithotomy position in the treatment of tibial shaft fracture with closed reduction and interlocking intramedullary nail fixation.MethodsThe clinical data of 78 patients with tibial shaft fractures treated with closed reduction and interlocking intramedullary nail fixation between January 2015 and May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 33 patients were treated with lithotomy position (trial group) and 45 patients were treated with traditional supine position (control group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in general data such as gender, age, the cause of injury, the interval between injury and admission, the interval between injury and operation, and fracture type and site (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, the number of patients with open reduction, postoperative incision infection, and fracture healing were recorded. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Harris score were used to evaluate the effectiveness.ResultsBoth groups of operations were successfully completed. The trial group was superior to the control group in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, and the number of patients with open reduction (P<0.05). Incision infection occurred in 1 case (3.03%) of the trial group and 3 cases (6.67%) of the control group after operation. The difference in the incidence of infection was significant (χ2=0.139, P=0.045). The incisions of other patients healed by first intention. X-ray film reexamination showed that the fractures of the two groups healed. The fracture healing time of the trial group was (5.30±1.33) months, while that of the control group was (5.98±1.80) months, with no significant difference (t=−1.815, P=0.073). There was no significant difference in VAS score, Harris scores of knee joint and ankle joint between the two groups before operation and at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P>0.05). At 3 days after operation, the VAS score was lower in the trial group than in the control group, and the Harris scores of knee joint and ankle joint were higher in the trial group than in the control group, and the differences were significant (P<0.05).ConclusionApplication of lithotomy position in closed reduction and interlocking intramedullary nail fixation for tibial shaft fracture is favorable for fracture reduction, with less bleeding, shorter operation time, and fewer fluoroscopy.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of intramedullary nailing fixation in semi-extended position via extraarticular parapatellar approach for tibial shaft fracture.MethodsBetween July 2018 and September 2019, 22 patients with tibial shaft fracture treated with intramedullary nailing fixation in semi-extended position via extraarticular parapatellar approach. There were 15 males and 7 females, with an average age of 46.4 years (range, 25-68 years). The fractures were caused by falling in 7 cases, by traffic accident in 14 cases, and by a heavy object in 1 case. Sixteen patients were closed fractures and 6 were open fractures. According to the AO classification, there were 4 cases of 42-A1 type, 2 cases of 42-A2 type, 3 cases of 42-A3 type, 3 cases of 42-B2 type, 4 cases of 42-B3 type, 2 cases of 42-C1 type, 3 cases of 42-C2 type, and 1 case of 42-C3 type. Twenty cases complicated with fibular fractures. The time from injury to operation was 2-15 days (mean, 7.5 days). The fracture healing time, complications, the incidence of anterior knee pain during the follow-up were observed; and knee joint functions were evaluated by Lysholm score at last follow-up.ResultsThe operation time was 50-140 minutes (mean, 85 minutes). Two cases experienced incision exudation which healed after symptomatic treatment. The incisions of other patients healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 8-23 months (mean, 14.9 months). X-ray films reexamination showed that all fractures healed with the healing time of 12-20 weeks (mean, 14.4 weeks). Four patients (18.18%) experienced the anterior knee pain. No patellofemoral instability was observed during the follow-up period. Lysholm score of knee function was 85-100 (mean, 94.3) at last follow-up. ConclusionApplication of the intramedullary nailing fixation in semi-extended position via extraarticular parapatellar approach is effective for tibial shaft fractures, which can not only realize the effective fixation of the fracture, but also avoid the adverse factors including re-displacement and anterior knee pain in the application of the intramedullary nailing fixation via the sub-patellar approach.