Unreamed Intramedullary Nailing Versus External Fixation for the Treatment of Open Tibial Shaft Fractures in Uganda: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To compare unreamed intramedullary nailing versus external fixation for the treatment of Gustilo-Anderson type II and IIIA open tibial fractures admitted to a hospital in rural Uganda.

Design

Randomized clinical trial.

Setting

Regional referral hospital in Uganda.

Patients

Fifty-five skeletally mature patients with a Gustilo-Anderson type II or IIIA open tibia shaft fracture treated within 24 hours of injury between May 2016 and December 2019.

Intervention

Unreamed intramedullary nailing (n = 31) versus external fixation (n = 24).

Main outcome measurements

The primary outcome was function within 12 months of injury, measured using the Function IndeX for Trauma (FIX-IT) score. Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life (HR

SUBMITTER: Kisitu DK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9391253 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature