Unreamed interlocking nailing in open fractures of tibia

To assess the clinical outcome of unreamed intramedullary interlocking nailing in open fractures of tibia, and to evaluate the incidence of complications in these open fractures as a result of the unreamed intramedullary nailing.

Between June 1999 and May 2000, a total of 60 cases of open tibial shaft fractures were operated on with unreamed interlocking nails at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India. Records of 56 patients (4 women and 52 men) were available for study. Only injuries associated with the tibial shaft were included. Traffic accidents were the cause of fractures in all patients. All fractures were classified according to Gustilo and Anderson system for open fractures. There were 30 (53.6%) type-I, 18 (32.1%) type-II, 4 (7.1%) type-IIIA, and 4 (7.1%) type-IIIB fractures. After thorough debridement under anaesthesia, an unreamed interlocking nail was inserted with assistance by an image intensifier. All nails were statically locked with one screw each proximally and distally.

The patients were followed up for a mean period of 20 months (range, 18-24 months) and were evaluated according to the modified Ketenjian's criteria. Results were good to excellent in 85.8% cases, and poor in 10.7% cases. Only 2 of 8 patients with type-III fractures had good results. Two of 4 type-IIIA and all 4 type-IIIB fractures had chronic osteomyelitis. Of 56 patients, 6 had early infection, 6 had delayed union, 6 had infected non-union, 2 had nail breakage, 8 had screw breakage, and 10 had anterior knee pain.

Unreamed interlocking tibial nailing can be safely used for type-I and type-II open injuries even with delayed presentation. Use of unreamed nailing in those type-III fractures with delayed presentation was not recommended, because of high incidence of complications.