Background
Internal splintage of open tibial fractures have gained acceptance as a preferred method of early stabilization of such injuries.
Patients and methods
Fifty-five patients were operated upon. They were followed from July 2008 to March 2012 (44 months), with an average follow-up time of 23 months. The final results were evaluated through a scheme including seven parameters: pain, union, malunion, infection, range motions of nearby joints, implant and technical failure, and activity and return to the same work.
Results
According to previous parameters, union was achieved in 52 (94.5%) cases at an average time of 20 weeks (16–52 weeks), with 5.5% incidence of nonunion. Excellent and good range of knee and ankle motions were achieved at the final follow-up visit in 49 (89.09%) cases. The incidence of complication was acceptable; mainly, malunion was found in 7.3%, deep infection in 12.7%, implant and technical failure in 9.1%, and full activity and return to the same work in 89.1% cases. The overall results of our series are as follows: excellent in 19 (34.5%) cases, good in 27 (49.1%) cases, fair in six (10.9%) cases, and poor in three (5.5%) cases.
Conclusion
Utilizing unreamed interlocking nail for open tibial fractures is a good method of treatment, particularly those of grades II and IIIA. The high proportions of excellent and good results confirm that this technique is superior to all other known methods of fracture fixation.