THE UFN-SYSTEM - A METHOD FOR MINIMALLY I NVASIVE TREATMENT OF FEMORAL-SHAFT FRACTURES

The aim of this study is to present our early clinical experience usin g the Unreamed AO Femoral Nail (UFN). The UFN system combines the adva ntages of numerous proximal interlocking options for the treatment of nearly all femoral fractures patterns with those of unreamed nailing ( biological osteosynthesis, preservation of the cortical blood supply, closed mediate reduction, pri mary stability, high degree of patient c omfort). Operation time and blood loss are reduced by eliminating the reaming procedure. The risk of infection is minimized by avoiding dead space. The positioning of the patient on the operating table without the use of traction allows for a minimally invasive surgical procedure . Our report deals with intraoperative handling, intra- and postoperat ive compli cations and the prospective clinical outcome in using the s olid femoral nail system in Austria. Within nearly 2 years (August 199 4-April 1996) 52 closed fractures and four second-degree open fracture s were stabilized using the unreamed femoral nail. In 12 cases we used the spiral blade interlocking technique. Four times we changed from e xternal fixation to the UFN. According to the AO classifi cation, we f ound 8 fractures of the proximal femur (A 1/1: 1; A 3/1: 2; A 3/3: 5) and 48 diaphyseal fractures (A 1: 4; A 2: 7; A 3: 16; B 1: 5; B 2: 6; B 3: 6; C 1: 1; C 2: 2; C 3: 1). Thirty patients were followed up over an average period of 9.1 months postoperatively. The clinical and rad iological results were excellent in 20 cases; average fracture healing time was about 10.6 weeks.