COMMINUTED FRACTURES OF SHAFT OF FEMUR

BRIDGE PLATE VERSUS INTERLOCKING NAIL IN LOW VELOCITY GUN SHOT

Abstract

Comminuted fracture shaft of the femur is a common entity faced by orthopaedic surgeon. Road traffic accidents are the major
cause of these comminuted fractures. But with increase in violence, gun shots are also causing these fractures frequently. Objectives: To see
and compare the result of intramedullary interlocking nailing and biological plating in terms of infection rate, union rate and to assess the other
complications. Design: Prospective study Setting: Department of Orthopedic Surgery Allied Hospital Faisalabad. Period: From Sept 2001 to
Sept 2003. Patients & M e t h o d s : Forty comminuted fractures of femur were managed .twenty by bridge plating and twenty by interlocking
nailing. Results: Results were compared with reference to healing time, infection rate, operating time and hospital stay and was comparable
to other studies. Conclusions: Closed interlocked intra-medullary nailing is an excellent method for treating comminuted femoral shaft fracture.
But requires expensive equipment and more expertise. Bridge plating require no special instrumentations and can be done at periphery with
less facilities available.