J Korean Fract Soc.  2000 Jul;13(3):515-521. 10.12671/jksf.2000.13.3.515.

A Comparison of Reamed and Unreamed Interlocking Intramedullary Nailing for Closed Fractures of the Tibia Shaft

• Lee KB
• Jung ST
• Joo DC
• Lee JJ

• KMID: 2307797
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2000.13.3.515

Abstract

PURPOSE: To get a reliable clinical data of interlocking IM nailing, the authors compared the results of the reamed interlocking IM nailing(Reamed) with unreamed interlocking IM nailing(Unreamed) in only closed fractures of tibial shaft. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Each Reamed(n=40) and Unreamed group(n=31) was followed by twenty-nine(13-53) months and twenty-one(13-55) months. We analyzed the results and complications of the each group.
RESULTS
The average total duration of the procedures performed without reaming was 13 minutes shorter than that of the procedures done with reaming(p>0.05). Twenty-nine fractures(73%) that were treated with reaming and eighteen(58.1%) that were treated without reaming united at postoperative 4 months. But, thirty-eight(95%) and twenty-nine(93.5%) fractures united at postoperative 6 months respectively. There was only one nonunion, which developed without reaming. Delayed union occurred after two nailing procedures with reaming and after one without reaming. Malunion occurred after one nailing with reaming and after two without reaming. There were two superficial infection, which developed after nailing with reaming.
CONCLUSION
There was no significant differences in the clinical and radiological result between reamed and unreamed nailing for the treatment of closed tibial shaft fracture. But, the bone union rate was significantly higher in reamed group than unreamed group at postoperative 4 months.

Keyword

Tibia shaft; Closed; Reamed; Unreamed

MeSH Terms

Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary*
Fractures, Closed*
Tibia*