Randomized trial of reamed and unreamed intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There remains a compelling biological rationale for both reamed and unreamed intramedullary nailing for the treatment of tibial shaft fractures. Previous small trials have left the evidence for either approach inconclusive. We compared reamed and unreamed intramedullary nailing with regard to the rates of reoperations and complications in patients with tibial shaft fractures.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter, blinded randomized trial of 1319 adults in whom a tibial shaft fracture was treated with either reamed or unreamed intramedullary nailing. Perioperative care was standardized, and reoperations for nonunion before six months were disallowed. The primary composite outcome measured at twelve months postoperatively included bone-grafting, implant exchange, and

SUBMITTER: Study to Prospectively Evaluate Reamed Intramedullary Nails in Patients with Tibial Fractures Investigators 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2663330 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature