Comparison Between Plating and Intramedullary Nailing in Treatment of open Femoral Shaft Fracture from 2014 to 2017

Abstract

Introduction:Open fractures, often occur following high-energy trauma, are considered as medical emergencies. Due to the role of femur in body weight bearing, fractures of this bone can lead to long-term morbidities ; Therefore, proper treatment is very important. Since there are less complications in intramedullary nailing, it is accepted as the gold standard of treatment in close femoral shaft fractures but there is no consensus about open fractures. The goal of this study was to compare the therapeutic results between intramedullary nailing and plating in the treatment of open femoral shaft fracture.Methods: This retrospective study was performed on 46 patients with isolated open femoral shaft fracture, who referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz. patients were divided into two groups based on the method of treatment: plating / intramedullary nailing and their treatment results were compared. Results:The mean time of visible bony callus formation on X-ray was 6.82 ± 0.93 weeks in intramedullary nailing group and 7.84 ± 1.82 weeks in plating group. The infection rate was 14.3% in intramedullary nailing group and 4% in plating group. There were 4 cases of non-union in intramedullary nailing group and 2 cases in plating group, but no cases of mal-union were observed.Conclusions: There was no difference between two methods in rate of union and infection but residual pain is more significant in nailing group.