Interlocking Intramedullary Nails And External Fixation Of Open Fractures Of Tibia And Fibula Comparative Study

Objective To compare the treatment results of interlocking intramedullary nail and external fixation in open tibia and fibula fractures retrospectively. Methods of 99 cases, 57 were treated with external fixation; 42 were treated wi th interlocking intramedullary nail, all were followed-up for 6-12 months. Results The nailed group have advantage over the external fixed group as follows: lower rate of infection, delayed union and nonunion, excellence with Johner-Wruh evaluation , short time of healing , and they have significant difference (P<0. 05). Conclusion Compared with external fixation, the method of interlocking intramedullary nail has the characteristics of stability, few complications and high rate of fracture recovery, it is more suitable for the treatment of below Gustilo IIIa open tibia and fibula fracture, especially for many segment fracture. The method of external fixation is simple and it has the characteristics of few injury, which can be applied effectively in treatment of Gustilo IIIb open fracture and nearby joint fracture in tibia and fibula, so it has high clinical application value, but it has high rate of infection and nonunion.