INTRAMEDULLARY SUPRACONDYLAR NAILING OF FEMORAL FRACTURES - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT OF THE GSH SUPRACONDYLAR NAIL

From 1987 through 1990, 34 acute supracondylar femoral fractures in 33 patients were treated with an interlocking closed-section intramedull ary nail inserted retrograde into the femur through the intercondylar notch. Follow-up data of at least five months were available for 25 of these fractures. The patients suffered injuries more extensive than c omparable patients reported in the literature. All fractures healed cl inically and radiographically. The average arc motion at the most rece nt evaluation was 100-degrees. The average operative time was 156 minu tes and the average estimated blood loss was 224 ml. Complications rel ated to this treatment were successfully resolved. The genucephalic na il is a good treatment for supracondylar femoral fractures.