TY - JOUR
T1 - Complications of reamed intramedullary nailing of the tibia
AU - Koval, Kenneth J.
AU - Clapper, Mark F.
AU - Brumback, Robert J.
AU - Ellison, P. Stribling
AU - Poka, Attila
AU - Bathon, G. Howard
AU - Burgess, Andrew R.
PY - 1991/1/1
Y1 - 1991/1/1
N2 - A retrospective review of 60 acute fractures of the tibia treated with reamed intramedullary nailing was undertaken to document the spectrum of complications associated with this procedure. Forty-five tibial fractures were followed to radiographic union; follow-up averaged 25 months (range, 10–63 months). Complications were categorized into intraoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative groups. Intraoperative complications occurred in 6 of the 60 (10%) fractures and included propagation of the tibial fracture into the insertion site of the nail in four cases. In each of two other fractures, at least one of the proximal interlocking screws was documented to have poor bony purchase. These complications did not affect final fracture alignment or clinical result. Early complications included soft-tissue complications, complications of fixation, and neurologic complications. Four patients developed hematomas at the nail insertion site. Eight fractures were stabilized in greater than 5° of varus or valgus. Neurologic deficits directly related to the procedure were documented in 18 patients (30%). The majority were minor sensory neu-ropraxias of the peroneal nerve. Sixteen (89%) of these nerve palsies were transient, resolving within 3–6 months. Two patients had persistent nerve deficits at 1-year follow-up. In the late complications group, 10 of the 45 (22%) tibial fractures followed to union developed patellar tendinitis. Nonunion developed in two fractures, both of which required additional surgical procedures to obtain fracture union. Two deep infections occurred, both of which resolved after local wound care, fracture union, and nail removal. Overall, 26 of the 45 tibial fractures available for follow-up (58%) developed some complication attributable to the procedure. The majority of these complications were minor and did not affect the long-term clinical result. However, the operative surgeon needs to be aware of the significant potential for complications with this procedure.
AB - A retrospective review of 60 acute fractures of the tibia treated with reamed intramedullary nailing was undertaken to document the spectrum of complications associated with this procedure. Forty-five tibial fractures were followed to radiographic union; follow-up averaged 25 months (range, 10–63 months). Complications were categorized into intraoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative groups. Intraoperative complications occurred in 6 of the 60 (10%) fractures and included propagation of the tibial fracture into the insertion site of the nail in four cases. In each of two other fractures, at least one of the proximal interlocking screws was documented to have poor bony purchase. These complications did not affect final fracture alignment or clinical result. Early complications included soft-tissue complications, complications of fixation, and neurologic complications. Four patients developed hematomas at the nail insertion site. Eight fractures were stabilized in greater than 5° of varus or valgus. Neurologic deficits directly related to the procedure were documented in 18 patients (30%). The majority were minor sensory neu-ropraxias of the peroneal nerve. Sixteen (89%) of these nerve palsies were transient, resolving within 3–6 months. Two patients had persistent nerve deficits at 1-year follow-up. In the late complications group, 10 of the 45 (22%) tibial fractures followed to union developed patellar tendinitis. Nonunion developed in two fractures, both of which required additional surgical procedures to obtain fracture union. Two deep infections occurred, both of which resolved after local wound care, fracture union, and nail removal. Overall, 26 of the 45 tibial fractures available for follow-up (58%) developed some complication attributable to the procedure. The majority of these complications were minor and did not affect the long-term clinical result. However, the operative surgeon needs to be aware of the significant potential for complications with this procedure.
KW - Reamed intramedullary nailing
KW - Tibia
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U2 - 10.1097/00005131-199105020-00011
DO - 10.1097/00005131-199105020-00011
M3 - Article
C2 - 1650401
AN - SCOPUS:0025930609
SN - 0890-5339
VL - 5
SP - 184
EP - 189
JO - Journal of orthopaedic trauma
JF - Journal of orthopaedic trauma
IS - 2
ER -