[Indications and results of interlocking nailing of the femur]

Since the introduction of an interlocking nail in 1972, different systems have been developed for the management of unstable femoral fractures. At the Clinic for Traumatology at the University Hospital of Zürich, the system of Grosse and Kempf was utilized until 1986, after which the AO universal nail system has been and still is used. Between 1981 and 1987, 63 femoral fractures in 62 patients have been treated with interlocking nails. The fractures were produced by a variety of mechanisms of injury, of which 75% were caused by traffic accidents. Associated injuries to other organ systems were sustained by 73% of the patients, overall there were 33% considered to have multiple trauma. 25% of the fractures were open. 44% (n = 28) required stable fixation, 15 were dynamized. The remaining 35 fractures were treated with dynamic nailings, 8 proximal and 27 distal. 15% were open nailings. Following dynamic stabilization full weight bearing was obtained after 56 and stable fixation after 120 days. A bridging callus was observed after an average of 8 weeks, and cortical bridging at 26 weeks following nailing. Complications included displacement of transversal screws in 3, local infections around the distal or proximal transversal screws in 3 and osteomyelitis at the fracture site in 3 cases.