J Korean Fract Soc.  2000 Jan;13(1):87-95. 10.12671/jksf.2000.13.1.87.

Ender Nailing of Tibial Shaft Fractures

• Ok IY
• Chung YG
• Kim TS

• KMID: 2100083
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2000.13.1.87

Abstract

PURPOSE: Though Ender nailing in tibial shaft fractures is a good method of treatment, there were several reports about complications such as angulation or shortening. Most of those complications were associated with improper surgical technique and might be avoidable. So, we analyzed the results of tibial Ender nailing in view of the complications and their contributing factors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-five tibial shaft fractures were treated with Ender nailing and followed up for 12 to 51 months. We evaluated the bony union, angulation, shortening, proximal migration of nail and infection, and analyzed the results in association with the type and the location of fractures, the number and the length of nails and the divergency of distal tip of nails.
RESULTS
Average bony union time was 18.5 weeks and there were 2 delayed unions, 2 nonunions, 5 angulations, 1 shortening, 3 soft tissue irritations by proximal tips of nails, 1 proximal migrations of nails and one nail breakage. Most of them were associated with technical faults such as few number, short length or insufficient divergency of nails. According to the type of fractures, the highest rate of complications was seen in segmental fractures.
CONCLUSION
Performed by proper surgical technique based on detailed fracture analysis, most of the complications of Ender nailing for tibial shaft fractures might be avoidable. Therefore, Ender nailing is one of the useful alternatives for tibial shaft fractures.

Keyword

Tibial shaft fracture; Ender nailing; Complication