Nonreamed Intramedullary Nailing of Open Tibial Fractures

The development of small-diameter interlocking intramedullary nails that can be inserted without reaming provides a fixation option for open tibial-shaft fractures. Nonreamed intramedullary nailing of these injuries facilitates soft-tissue management without an increase in infection or nonunion rates relative to external fixation. Reaming is not required, which means less injury to the tibial endosteal blood supply. Proximal and distal interlocking maintains better bone alignment than is possible with semirigid or noninterlocking intramedullary nails. The technique of using these devices with static interlocking is described, as are some suggested techniques for avoiding complications.