Septic complications after interlocking nailing of the tibia

Infection, the primary cause of nonunion and unsatisfactory results in operative fracture treatment, occurs with unsettling frequency in spite of modern surgical methods and antibiotics. In the literature we find infection rates after interlocking nailing (IN) of tibial fractures between 1% (Vécsei, 1981) and 6.3% (4.2% deep infections, Jenny, 1993). In this paper a retrospective study of 334 open and closed tibial fractures treated with Grosse & Kempf Nails (G & K Nails) is presented. There were 5 cases (1.5%) of manifest osseus infection. These cases are classified according to the type of infection, the visible site of infection and predisposing factors for infection. Possible reasons for the infectious process, our therapeutic guidelines and results in the treatment of septic complications of nailed tibia fractures will be discussed.