Shroeder, J Orthop Trauma 2009 - The Outcome of Closed, Intramedullary Exchange Nailing with Reamed Insertion in the Treatment of Femoral Shaft Nonunions

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The Outcome of Closed, Intramedullary Exchange Nailing with Reamed Insertion in the Treatment of Femoral Shaft Nonunions

Shroeder, Weil, et al.·J Orthop Trauma·2009·87 citations·Retrospective cohort

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Purpose

To determine the effectiveness of closed, intramedullary exchange nailing with reamed insertion for the treatment of femoral shaft nonunions previously treated with an intramedullary nail.

Methods

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Academic level I trauma center.

Patients: 42 patients whose femoral shaft fracture was initially managed with an intramedullary nail, were subsequently treated by closed, intramedullary exchange nailing with reamed insertion for their femoral nonunion in our center. 7 patients had an infected nonunion as proved by intraoperative cultures.

Intervention: Closed, intramedullary exchange nailing with reamed insertion of a larger diameter nail.

Main Outcome Measures: Radiographic and clinical evidence of fracture healing.

Results

36 patients (86%) had their fracture heal without further intervention.
The average time to achieve union was 4 months after surgery.
Of the 6 cases of exchange nailing failure, 3 were aseptic and 3 were septic.
All these 6 patients healed after additional procedures.
Lack of immediate weight bearing, open fractures, atrophic/oligotrophic nonunions, and infection were associated with treatment failure.
A second nail larger by 2 mm or more than the original nail was associated with a higher success rate.

Conclusions

Closed, intramedullary exchange nailing with reamed insertion for femoral shaft nonunions previously treated with intramedullary nails has proved to be a successful sole procedure in most cases. A nail at least 2 mm larger in diameter than the first nail should be used if possible. Risk factors of treatment failure should alert the surgeon to consider an alternative treatment to closed exchange nailing.

Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.

The Outcome of Closed, Intramedullary Exchange Nailing with Reamed Insertion in the Treatment of Femoral Shaft Nonunions.

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The Outcome of Closed, Intramedullary Exchange Nailing with Reamed Insertion in the Treatment of Femoral Shaft Nonunions

Shroeder, Weil, et al.·J Orthop Trauma·2009·87 citations·Retrospective cohort

|

Purpose

To determine the effectiveness of closed, intramedullary exchange nailing with reamed insertion for the treatment of femoral shaft nonunions previously treated with an intramedullary nail.

Methods

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Academic level I trauma center.

Patients: 42 patients whose femoral shaft fracture was initially managed with an intramedullary nail, were subsequently treated by closed, intramedullary exchange nailing with reamed insertion for their femoral nonunion in our center. 7 patients had an infected nonunion as proved by intraoperative cultures.

Intervention: Closed, intramedullary exchange nailing with reamed insertion of a larger diameter nail.

Main Outcome Measures: Radiographic and clinical evidence of fracture healing.

Results

36 patients (86%) had their fracture heal without further intervention.
The average time to achieve union was 4 months after surgery.
Of the 6 cases of exchange nailing failure, 3 were aseptic and 3 were septic.
All these 6 patients healed after additional procedures.
Lack of immediate weight bearing, open fractures, atrophic/oligotrophic nonunions, and infection were associated with treatment failure.
A second nail larger by 2 mm or more than the original nail was associated with a higher success rate.

Conclusions

Closed, intramedullary exchange nailing with reamed insertion for femoral shaft nonunions previously treated with intramedullary nails has proved to be a successful sole procedure in most cases. A nail at least 2 mm larger in diameter than the first nail should be used if possible. Risk factors of treatment failure should alert the surgeon to consider an alternative treatment to closed exchange nailing.

Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.

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