PURPOSEEarly intramedullary nailing (IMN) within the first 24 h for multiply injured patients with femoral fracture and concomitant thoracic trauma is controversial. Previously published studies have been limited in size and their outcomes have been inconclusive. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the available data in order to guide care and help improve the outcomes for these patients.

METHODSWe searched the literature up to December 2011 in the main medical search engines and identified 6 retrospective cohort studies that explored the safety of early IMN in patients with both femoral fracture and chest injury. Our primary outcome was the rates of pulmonary complication (pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome, fat embolism syndrome), multiple organ failure (MOF) and mortality.

RESULTSWe found no statistically significant difference in the rate of pulmonary complications, MOF or mortality in the patients treated with early IMN.

CONCLUSIONEarly IMN for femoral fractures does not increase the mortality and morbidity in chest- injured patients in the studies analyzed.

Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; adverse effects ; methods ; mortality ; Humans ; Multiple Organ Failure ; epidemiology ; Pneumonia ; epidemiology ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; epidemiology ; Thoracic Injuries ; surgery

Objective To explore the clinical effect of phalangeal fractures with self-made mini external fixator. Methods From June, 2014 to June, 2017, 16 cases of phalangeal fracture were treated with self-made mini external fixator. In the followed-up periods, the regulating rechecks of X-ray and measurement of interpha-langeal joint activity were determined. The total active movement (TAM), numerical pain ranting scale (NPRS) and morning stiffness was used to estimate the fracture healing and the hand function recovery. Results Pain and ab-normal movement around fracture was found 6 weeks after the operation in 1 case, which had been healed by re-moving the external fixation, open reduction and internal fixation with kirschner wire. The other 15 cases were fol-lowed-up of 48-72 (average, 58) weeks. The fracture has healed. And there was no osteomyelitis, no breakage and loosening of steel needles. The clinical healing time of the fracture was 14 to 16 weeks, with an average of 15.5 weeks. According to the TAM, NPRS and morning stiffness, there was excellent in 11 cases, and good in 4 cases. Conclusion The self-made mini external fixator can maintain the stability after fracture reduction, provide the tension required for the healing of collateral ligament and joint capsule, and meet the need of early functional exer-cise. It is an ideal treatment option for phalangeal fractures.