We have designed a new kind of self-locking intramedullary nail for the treatment of unstable fracture of the middle and distal tibial shaft and have compared it with the interlocking nail by means of biomechanical experiments. The data could be used as a basis for clinical application. Fourteen formalin-fixed tibials of adults were made into unstable fracture models with a 2cm bone defect each. They were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 was fixed with self-locking intramedullary nail and group 2 was fixed by interlocking nail. All specimens were submitted to biomechanical test. The data were analysed by t test. The results showed there is no difference in anti-bending stiffness between the self-locking intramedullary nail and the interlocking nail. The anti-rotating and anti-compressing stiffness of interlocking nail is slightly better than that of self-locking intramedullary nail, but still the firmmess of the self-locking intramedullary nail in resisting rotation can meet the requirement of biological fixation. Its structure is reasonable, simple, practical, and it can resist certain harmful stress.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Nails ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

Bone Nails ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the biomechanical characteristics of Ni-Ti shape-memory alloy-enclosed interlocking intramedular nail Ni-Ti En for clinical application.

METHODSSix transverse fractures were induced in 6 fresh humeral shafts and fixed with Ni-Ti En, plate, interlocking intramedullary nail, and Ender nail, respectively. The specimens then underwent stress analysis for comparison of the bending strength, twisting force, and flexibility.

RESULTSThe bending strength of Ni-Ti En was not significantly different from that of the plate and better than ender's nail; the twisting force of the interlocking intramedullary nail was comparable with the plate, but better than Ender nail.

CONCLUSIONNi-Ti Enpossess good biomechanical property to meet the demand of osteosynthesis, and its less stress protection, freedom of distant nail locking, flexibility and stable fixation may accelerate fracture healing.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Nails ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Nickel ; Titanium

OBJECTIVETo compare the treating effects of different intramedullary nailing methods on tibial fractures in adults.

METHODSLiterature reports in both Chinese and English languages were retrieved (from the earliest available records to October 1, 2013) from the PubMed, FMJS, CNKI, Wanfang Data using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare reamed and unreamed intramedullary nailing for treatment of tibial fractures. Methodological quality of the trials was critically assessed, and relevant data were extracted. Statistical software Revman 5.0 was used for data-analysis.

RESULTSA total of 12 randomized controlled trials, comprising 985 patients (475 in the unreamed group and 510 in the reamed group), were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two methods in the reported outcomes of infection (RR=0.64; 95%CI, 0.39 to 1.07; P=0.09), compartment syndrome (RR=1.44; 95%CI, 0.8 to 2.41; P=0.16), thrombosis (RR=1.29; 95%CI, 0.43 to 3.87; P=0.64), time to union (WMD=5.01; 95%CI, -1.78 to 11.80; P=0.15), delayed union (nonunion) (RR=1.56; 95%CI, 0.97 to 2.49; P=0.06), malunion (RR=1.75; 95%CI, 1.00 to 3.08; P=0.05) and knee pain (RR=0.94; 95%CI, 0.73 to 1.22; P=0.66). But there was a significantly higher fixation failure rate in the unreamed group than in the reamed group (RR=4.29; 95%CI, 2.58 to 7.14; P<0.00001).

CONCLUSIONThere is no significant difference in the reamed and unreamed intramedullary nailing for the treatment of tibial fractures, but our result recommends reamed nails for the treatment of closed tibial fractures for their lower fixation failure rate.

Bone Nails ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

Fracture of femoral shaft in adults is common and mostly managed with intramedullary interlocking nails. Complications during closed intramedullary femoral nailing are uncommon, and mostly of them are caused by technical reasons. We describe a case of closed nailing for a femoral shaft fracture in which a jammed intramedullary guide wire, due to an incarcerated bone fragment at the nail tip, was inadvertently advanced across the knee. Forceful attempt of nail insertion caused this complication, which was probably attributed to nail design.
Adult ; Bone Nails ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male

PURPOSETo describe our clinical experience with a system named SureShot? Distal Targeting (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, USA) based on magnetic field presence and discuss our suggestions on this technique.

METHODSWe analysed prospectively 47 patients affected by humeral, tibial or femoral fractures, treated in our institution during a 3-year period of time (August 2010 to September 2013). We considered the following parameters: the time to set up, the time to position a single screw, the effectiveness of the system (drilling ad screwing), the irradiation exposure time during distal locking procedure and surgical complications.

RESULTSA total number of 96 screws were inserted. The mean preparation time of the device was 5.1 min ± 2 min (range 3-10 min). The mean time for single screw targeting was 5.8 min ± 2.3 min (range 4-18 min). No major complications occurred. Only a few locking procedures were needed to be practiced in order to obtain the required expertise with this targeting device.

CONCLUSIONAccording to our results, this device is reliable and valid whenever the correct technique is followed. It is also user friendly, exposes to lower radiation and needs less surgical time compared to relative data from the literature. However, the surgeon should always be aware of how to use the free hand technique in case of malfunctioning of the system.

Bone Screws ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Magnetic Fields ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To design and manufacture a new type instrument and its matching tools for the proximal femur. METHODS: A new type instrument of subtrochanterical fracture-static 3-dimensional screw-plate system(STDSP)was designed and manufactured. The different types of accessory instruments which adapted to STDSP,the aiming guide, and the accessory tools were also designed and manufactured, and they were tested on bones. RESULTS: STDSP included 3 special lag screws and 1 anatomic plate. The lag screws distributed in femoral neck like "or"shape. There was 135 degree between the lag screws and femoral shaft. The shape of the plate was similar to the anatomic structure of the proximal thighbone. The posterior screw was stably connected to the plate. The plate was affixed crosswise to the lateral and anterior side by bicortical screws. The aiming guides and all kinds of accessory tools could help to install STDSP exactly and conveniently,which was verified on cadavers and X-ray photographs. CONCLUSION STDSP has the function of dynamic compressing in 3-dimensional space, and can match with the structure of the proximal femur preferably. STDSP may be a suitable instrument to the subtrochanteric fractures. The accessory apparatus of STDSP has simple configuration,and can let the STDSP be installed accurately, conveniently and rapidly.
Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Cadaver ; Equipment Design ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; Hip Fractures ; surgery ; Humans

Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Hip Fractures ; surgery ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo test the safety and accuracy of the computer-assisted orthopaedic system for distal locking of intramedullary nails and apply it to internal fixation with intramedullary nails in the lower limb.

METHODSAccording to the theory of mechanical arms stereotactic localization in computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery (CAOS), we design a CAOS system for distal locking of intramedullary nails. The system comprised 2 independent modules: computer-assisted imaging and registration workstation; mechanical stereotactic framework. Ten plastic tibia models, 20 plastic femur models (Synbone AG, Malans, Switzerland) and 6 human cadaver lower limbs were randomly divided into 2 groups undergoing internal fixation with intramedullary nails (Orthofix, Germany). The first group (CAOS group with 5 plastic tibia models, 10 plastic femur models, 6 human cadaver tibia, 6 human cadaver femur; each nail had 2 holes, and 2 distal locking screws were inserted in each bone, which gave a total number of 54 holes) used a computer-assisted orthopaedic system, the second group (CONTROL GROUP is the same as CAOS group) used Orthofix mechanical targeting device for distal locking. Comparison between 2 groups was made in radiation exposure time, operating time, percentage of correctly placed screws.

RESULTSCAOS group: operating time was (4.44 +/- 2.99) min; radiation exposure time was (1.16 +/- 0.38) min; correctly placed screws rate was (100 +/- 0)%.

CONTROL GROUPoperating time was (10.42 +/- 4.18) min; radiation exposure time was (4.71 +/- 3.86) min; correctly placed screws rate was (94.44 +/- 0.36)%. Operating time and radiation exposure time in CAOS group were significantly shorter than those in control group (P < 0.05), no differences were found between 2 groups in relation to the percentage of correctly placed screws.

CONCLUSIONSBy using CAOS system for distal locking of intramedullary nails, the locking holes can be drilled accurately and safely. Radiation exposure significantly reduced.

Cadaver ; Equipment Design ; Femur ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Models, Anatomic ; Random Allocation ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; Tibia ; surgery

OBJECTIVEThe treatment of subtrochanteric fractures is challenging and treatment modalities and implants are constantly evolving. This study attempts to revisit and compare extramedullary vs. intramedullary devices in relatively young population.

METHODSThirty patients with subtrochanteric fractures were enrolled and treated with extramedullary or intramedullary devices and follow-up continued one year for clinico-radiological assessment.

RESULTSThe mean age of patients was 37.53 years. Most were males between 21-40 years. The dominant mode of injury was traffic accidents (66%). Fractures were classified according to Russell-Taylor classification. Forty percent were Russell-Taylor type IA, 37% type IB and 23% type IIA. Average time to surgery was 3.6 days from the time of admission to hospital. Mean duration of surgery was 45 minutes for intramedullary device (group A) and 105 minutes for extramedullary device (group B). Average blood loss was 100 ml in group A and 200 ml in group B. Mean duration of radiation exposure was 130 seconds and 140 seconds for groups A and B, while average duration of hospital stay was 12 days and 16 days respectively. Excellent results were seen in 47% of cases in group A and 33% of cases in group B.

CONCLUSIONIntramedullary device is a reliable implant for subtrochanteric fractures. It has high rates of union with minimal soft-tissue damage. Intramedullary fixation has biological and biomechanical advantages, but surgery is technically demanding. Gradual learning and patience is needed to make this method truly rewarding.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; Hip Fractures ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Treatment Outcome