NONREAMED NAILING OF CLOSED AND MINOR OPEN TIBIAL FRACTURES IN PATIENTS WITH BLUNT POLYTRAUMA

A retrospective comparison of dynamic and static locking mode nonreame d nails in 88 closed, Grades I and II open tibial fractures is present ed, Amount of time and number of reoperations required to unite fractu res were compared for dynamic (Group 1, n = 31) and static locked (Gro up 2, n = 13) Winquist I and II fractures, and dynamic (Group 3, n = 1 4) and static locked (Group 4, n = 30) Winquist III, IV, and segmental fractures, Total reoperations also were compared: Tibias treated with dynamic nails united in an average of 20 weeks, with 3 reoperations; tibias treated with static locked nails united in an average of 30 wee ks, with 21 reoperations. Group 1 fractures united in an average of 20 weeks, with 1 reoperation; Group 2 fractures united in an average of 32 weeks, with 4 reoperations. Group 3 fractures united in an average of 20 weeks; Group 4 fractures united in an average of 29 weeks, with 11 reoperations. In the group of tibias treated with dynamic nails, 3 additional operations were done; in the group of tibias treated with s tatic locked nails, 7 additional operations were done, There was 1 inf ection and 3 deformities, Static locking mode appeared to delay union, especially when Groups 1 and 2 are compared; these fractures can be n ailed without locking screws.