Intramedullary reaming and nailing: its early effects on cortical bone vascularization

The early effect of reaming the medullary cavity prior to intramedullary nailing using Küntscher's method, on human cortical bone vascularization in the femur is discussed. In sections of the femur where the medullary tissue had been totally reamed, the inner two-thirds of the cortical bone tube was completely avascularized one week after the reaming. In the outer third of the cortex the vascularization was only moderately decreased. In the parts of the femur where the medullary tissue was not totally destroyed there was a marginal effect on the amount of intact cortical vessels. The observation is thus in accordance with corresponding results from experimental studies on animals. Microcracks, and cracks in the cortical wall, caused by the reaming and procedure are also described in the article.