Comparison of two biological internal fixation techniques in the treatment of adult femur shaft fractures (plate-screws and locked intramedullary nail).

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare two (plate-screws and locked intramedullary nail) biological internal fixation techniques in the treatment of adult femur shaft fractures. METHODS: Group I included 28 patients operated with biological internal fixation with plate and screws. Group II consisted of 31 patients operated with locked intramedullary nailing technique. During the follow-up period in Group I, 1 patient died and 3 patients dropped out of the study, so the results of 24 patients were evaluated. During the follow-up period in Group II, 2 patients died and 3 patients dropped out of the study, so the results of 26 patients were evaluated in this group. RESULTS: Age, sex, injury mechanism, fracture type, time to operation, duration of operation, amount of bleeding, fluoroscopy usage time, early and late complications, duration of hospitalization, fracture union time, and functional results of all patients were comparatively evaluated. CONCLUSION: According to our results, no superiority of either technique was demonstrated with respect to fracture union time, complication rate and functional results. Biological internal fixation with plate and screws is an alternative technique to locked intramedullary nailing in patients with multi-trauma or compromised pulmonary or cardiac function, or in complex comminuted or segmented diaphyseal or metaphyseal fractures.