[Intramedullary nailing in bifocal leg fractures: about 16 cases]

We conducted a retrospective study of bifocal closed fractures of the tibia in order to assess the severity of this unusual lesion. We analyzed the entry point for intramedullary nailing as well as the different therapeutic options. Sixteen patients with AO type 42C2 bifocal leg fractures were treated in our Traumatology-Orthopedics Unit A at the University Hospital Hassan II, Fez. The subjects were young, victims of medium to high energy trauma. Five subjects were polytraumatized patients and two were poly-traumatized patients with fractures. Six patients underwent locked intramedullary nailing with reaming while seven patients underwent intramedullary nailing without reaming. Two cases of compartment syndrome were recorded after nailing. Mean fracture consolidation time was twelve months. Two cases of pseudarthroses were successfully treated by nailing with reaming. Bifocal leg fractures pose many challenges for the surgeon due to weak vascular supply of the intermediate segment and to severe deterioration of the surrounding soft tissues. They should be detected among the leg fractures based on their context of occurrence, difficulties in fixation as well as slow consolidation time.