Treatment of the Femoral Shaft Fractures Using Reamed Russell-Taylor Intramedullary Nail

Kim, Shin Yoon; Kwun, Jun Dae; Kim, Hak Su; Kim, Byung Gook; Oh, Chang Wug; Park, Byung Chul; Ihn, Joo Chul

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the results of the femoral shaft fractures by reamed Russell-Taylor intramedullary nailing in the viewpoint of union time and complications. We reviewed 59 femoral shaft fractures. According to the type of fractures(Winquist-Hansen classification), average union time were 20.1 and 23.5 weeks in type 1, 2 and 3, 4, and nonunion rates were 12.5% and 10.5% in type 1, 2 and 3, 4. According to the level of fractures, average union time were 19.9, 20.3, 23.4 weeks in proximal, middle and distal fractures, and nonunion rates were 6.7%, 8.8%, 30% in proximal, middle and distal fractures. According to the reduction techniques, average union time were 20.0 and 21.5 weeks in closed and open reduction, and nonunion rates were 5.9% and 20.O% in closed and open reduction. According to the Methods of interlocking screw fixation, average union time were 19.3 and 20.7 weeks in dynamic and static fixation, and nonunion rates were 25% and 9.8% in dynamic and static fixation. There was no significant differences in averdge union time between closed and open fracture group, closed and open reduction group, and dynamic and static fixation group. There was significant differences in union time between simple and complex, comminuted fractures(P<0.05), and between distal and proximal, middle fractures(P<0.05). Also there was significant differences in nonunion rate between fracture reduced with closed and open technique(P<0.05). In conclusion, reamed Rustell-Taylor intramedullary nailing can be a uheful treatment modality in femoral shaft fracture if closed reduction is available. However, there was high complication rate including failure of screw, varut deformity, delayed union time in distal femoral shaft fractures. In this situation, we should consider other treatment method.