Abstract
Closed intramedullary nailing of the tibia is a well accepted method of treating tibial fractures. There are advantages to perfoming surgery via smaller incisions. These advantages include less muscle dissection, less pain, less blood loss and quicker recovery and discharge from hospital and improved cosmesis.
We have used an existing tibial nail (Zimmer M/DN) to carry out percutaneous nailing of tibial shaft fractures using a modified surgical technique. This report describes the operative technique and our early results.
We have used this technique in 10 patients. The main difference in the technique is the use of a Steinman pin under fluoroscopy to identify the entry point. The average incision length in these patients has been 2.5cm. We have had no early or medium term complications. Length and rotation was restored in all cases. There was no increase in the surgical time or fluoroscopy time for the operation. Post-operative analgesic use was significantly less in these patients when compared with the standard technique. The average length of hospital stay has been reduced by 25% in this early cohort.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
