Delayed intramedullary nailing after failed external fixation of the tibia.

Overview

Thirteen patients (11 males, two females) with 16 tibia fractures (three segmental) were initially treated with external fixation and secondarily had delayed intramedullary nailing after fixator removal. There were six closed injuries and two Grade I, five Grade II, one Grade IIIA, and two Grade IIIB open soft-tissue injuries. The average patient age was 40 years (range, 19-84 years). The external fixator was removed at an average of 12 weeks (range, three to 25 weeks) for malreductions in six case, atrophic segmental fractures in two, and atrophic/unstable fracture patterns in five. Intramedullary nailing was performed at an average of 13 days (range, five to 30 days) after fixator removal. There were 12 reamed nails and one self-broaching nail. Preoperative antibiotics averaged eight days, and postoperative averaged 11 days. All patients healed with bridging callus; full weight bearing occurred at an average of 2.7 months. Follow-up evaluation averaged 22.5 months. Weight bearing began within the first three weeks in 12 of 13 patients. Results were rated as excellent in eight and good in five. There were no complications related to infection or non-union. Delayed intramedullary nailing, after excluding potential high-risk patients, is an option for the treatment of tibia fractures that have failed treatment with external fixation. However, it is not recommended as a routine procedure.