Closed intramedullary tibial nailing using the Marchetti-Vicenzi nail

We present the results of using the Marchetti-Vicenzi nail in the management of 41 closed and 16 type I-III open tibial fractures in 56 patients. The treatment goals were to achieve stability and fracture alignment allowing early functional treatment of the knee and ankle by immediate partial or full weight-bearing. Early callus formation and rapid mobilisation were obtained in 84% of the patients. The mean time to clinical union was 9.8 weeks (radiological union 28.4 weeks) for closed fractures and also 9.8 weeks for open fractures (radiological union 28.7 weeks). No late rotational deformities were observed. We argue that intramedullary nailing with a Marchetti-Vicenzi nail is a quick and excellent method of treating selected closed and open tibial fractures.