Intramedullary interlocked tibia nailing: a new technique (preliminary report)

This paper presents a modified surgical technique for interlocked intramedullary stabilization of tibia fractures. An external distractor is used to achieve an indirect fracture reduction on a fluoroscopy table. This method avoids the potential traction complications associated with conventional fracture tables. The fluoroscopy unit remains in one position during the entire operation. This technique decreases set-up time, provides complete control over the involved extremity, facilitates an accurate reduction, allows for compression at the fracture site, and simplifies the interlocking procedure. Twenty patients with 20 tibia shaft fractures were treated with this technique. No complications occurred during acute fracture care. Alignment was anatomic or near anatomic in all cases and physician satisfaction was 100%. At follow-up, averaging 5.2 months, there has been no change in fracture alignment, and most tibias are demonstrating clinical and radiographic healing. Distraction at the fracture site with a statically locked tibia nail may impede healing. The external distractor can be used to compress the fracture site prior to static interlocking, and this may facilitate healing. Dynamization of the nail should be considered when early signs of healing are absent. This technique is simple, accurate, and safe, and should be considered when treating an unstable tibia shaft fracture with a locked intramedullary nail.