OBJECTIVETo study the applied value of double joystick technique in reduction-internal fixation for femoral shaft fracture in adults.

METHODSThirty-four patients (24 males and 10 females) with femoral shaft fractures were treated with reduction assisted by double joystick technique and internal fixation with interlocking intramedullary nail from September 2010 to June 2013. The average age of the patients was 41 years old, ranged from 17 to 65 years old. The duration of the disease course ranged from 3 to 7 days, with a mean of 5 days. The fractures belonged to AO types 32A (5 cases), 32B (20 cases) and 32C (9 cases) and located in left femur for 18 patients and right femur for 16 patients. The patients were followed up, and fracture healing and complications were observed. The curative effect were evaluated according to Thorsen femur fracture evaluation standard.

RESULTSThe operative time ranged from 40 to 110 min (mean 75 min) and intraoperative blood loss ranged from 200 to 300 ml (mean 250 ml). All the patients obtained a good fracture reduction and were followed up for 12 to 24 months (mean 18 months) after the surgery. All the fractures united between 4 and 8 months with a mean of 5 months. No complications such as breakage of nail, infection, osteofascial compartment syndrome, refracture and fracture malunion were found. According to Thorsen femur fracture evaluation standard, 30 patients obtained an excellent result, 3 good and 1 fair.

CONCLUSIONIn surgery of reduction-internal fixation for femoral shaft fracture in adults, the use of double joystick technique obtains good reduction result, short operative time, less injury, high healing rate of bone fractures, less complications and good limbs function, so it is worthy of popularizing in clinic.