J Korean Fract Soc.  1999 Apr;12(2):272-276.

Reamed versus Unreamed Intramedullary Nailing after External Fixator Application in the Treatment of Open Tibial-Shaft Fracture

• Shin DB
• Choi JC
• Lee YS
• Kim YJ
• Han SH
• Shin DE
• Lee YH

Abstract

The authers reviewed 15 patients of open fracture of the tibial shaft who were treated by external fixation followed by intramedullary nailing. These fractures comprised two Type-I, two Type-II, four Type-IIIa, and seven Type-IIIb injuries. Ten patients were treated with unreamed intramedullary nailing and 5 patients were treated with reamed intramedullary nailing. The results were analyzed as followings: 1. All fractures had union at 5.2 months after intramedullary nailing and 4 true osteomyelitis were developed. 2. All osteomyelitis were developed for the patients who were treated with reamed intramedullary nailing. 3. There was no osteomyelitis who were treated with unreamed intramedullary nailing. 4. Delayed conversion to intramedullary nailing after control of pin tract infection had no effect for prevention of osteomyelitis.

Keyword

Open Tibia Fracture; External Fixation; Unreamed Intramedullary Nailing; Reamed Intramedullary Nailing

MeSH Terms

External Fixators*
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary*
Fractures, Open
Humans
Osteomyelitis