Publication:

Closed intramedullary nailing of acute femoral shaft fracture: reduction with help of bone levers through a small incision without opening fracture site

Background Femoral shaft fractures are usually treated with intramedullary nailing. In this study, we report a modified closed surgical technique with reduction with bone levers through a small percutaneous stab incision without opening fracture site for this type of fracture.

Methods From June 2015-January 2017, this technique was used on 43 patients with femoral shaft fractures. Patients were followed up postoperatively for clinical evaluation. The surgical technique involves a mini-percutaneous incision slightly distal to the fracture site, and fracture reduction is performed with bone levers without opening the fracture site.

Results 39 patients were included in final assessment. 29 fractures (74.4%) healed in the first 6 month. 35 (89.7%) fractures were united by one year. 4 (10.3%) patients needed bone grafting. The functional results were considered excellent and good in 36 (92.3%) patients, 3 (7.7%) patients had poor results.

Conclusions The advantages of this procedure include that no fracture site is opened, there is a shorter operation time, less radiation exposure and it is especially suitable for multiple trauma and obese patients.