J Korean Fract Soc.  2004 Apr;17(2):148-152. 10.12671/jkfs.2004.17.2.148.

Grade III Tibia Open Fractures Treated with Unreamed Tibial Nailing

• Oh CW
• Kyung HS
• Kim DH
• Park IH
• Kim PT
• Ihn JC
• Woo YK
• Lee JY

• KMID: 2184059
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2004.17.2.148

Abstract

PURPOSE: This is a retrospective study to analyze the results of unreamed intramedullary nailing in grade III tibial open fracture.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-nine Gustilo-Anderson grade III tibial open fractures fixed with unreamed tibial nail were followed more than one year. Primary union rate, union time, infection, conversion to external fixation, ankle and knee function according to different grade of open, fracture level, AO classification, and muscle flap were evaluated.
RESULTS
Primary union was achieved at sixteen fractures. There were three delayed union that achieved union twenty week after primary operation. And eight undergone secondary bone grafts which were done after inflammation sign subcided. Complications about infection were in five cases. Two cases were unable to maintain internal fixation due to deep infection, and three of superficial infection were treated with repeated debridement and antibiotics use.
CONCLUSION
In grade III tibial open fracture, unreamed nailing with early soft tissue reconstruction and early prophylactic bone graft can be a good treatment.

Keyword

Tibia; Open fracture; Grade III; Unreamed nailing

MeSH Terms

Ankle
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Classification
Debridement
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary
Fractures, Open*
Inflammation
Knee
Retrospective Studies
Tibia*
Transplants
Anti-Bacterial Agents