THE UNREAMED TIBIAL NAIL (UTN) IN THE TRE ATMENT OF LOWER LEG FRACTURES - PRELIMINARY EXPERIENCE

The unreamed tibial nail (UTN) combines the advantages of the external fixator (preservation of the cortical blood supply) with that of conv entional intramedullary nailing (closed system, high patient comfort, no pin problems) in the treatment of the lower leg fracture [5]. Withi n 1 year (III/92 to III/93) 31 closed and 2 open fractures were stabil ised with UTN. In 67% (22 persons) we found fractures of the Al, A2 an d A3 types according to the AO classification. In 6 patients there was a combined lesion with involvement of the ankle joint. A follow-up of 27 patients was done, extending to an average of 6 months postoperati vely. The clinical and radiological results were excellent in 26; aver age fracture healing time was about 12-14 weeks.