The Treatment of Open Tibial Fractures by Ender's Nailing

Ha, Snag Ho; Lee, Sang Hong

Abstract

The treatment of open tibial fracture has become one of the most controversial subjects in orthopedic surgery. Recently flexible intramedullary nails have been used successfully in treatment of Type I, II open fractures of the tibial shaft. In this paper we are reporting our experience with the method in 20 open fractures of the tibia in 18 patients. The results were ss follows. 1. The patients were predominantly more common in male(90%) and the average age was 42.7 years old and the most common cause of fracture was traffic accident. 2. The most common site and shape were at midshaft and comminuted fracture. 3. With early operation the incidence of infection was greatly reduced and wound healing was relatively rapid. 4. The patients were applied with long leg or P.T.B. cast for at least 4 weeks in order to the prevention of re-displacement. 5. The average healing time was 17.7 weeks in 14 cases and union was most rapid at upper third and Type I fractures. 6. The complication was developed in 14 cases, 3 cases of delayed union, nonunion and ankle stiffness was seen respectively. 7. Infection rate was greatly reduced because Ender's nailing procedure was easy to perform, operation time was shortened, good fixation and alignment of fracture fragment was done without periosteal stripping. 8. Ender's nailing is considered to be a good method in the treatment of open tibial fracture associated with soft tissue injurv and multiole iniuries.