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Erschienen in: International Orthopaedics 2/2019

28.05.2018 | Original Paper

Complications in patients with intramedullary nails: a case series from a single Cambodian surgical clinic

verfasst von: Erik Woelber, Audrey Martin, Douglas Van Citters, Craig Luplow, Michael Githens, Charlotte Kohn, Yong Jun Kim, Heang Oy, Jim Gollogly

Erschienen in: International Orthopaedics | Ausgabe 2/2019

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Abstract

Purpose

Since its development in 1999, the SIGN nail has been used in over 190,000 surgeries spanning 55 countries. To date, however, evaluation of SIGN nail outcomes has been limited to small prospective studies or large retrospective studies using SIGN’s online database. This study uses the experience of a single, independent Cambodian surgical clinic to characterize common complications, provide commentary on ways to reduce the risk of those complications, and determine whether several observed nail fractures were due to metallurgic defects.

Methods

Clinic medical records were queried to identify complications in patients with SIGN nails. Data was abstracted including age, sex, mechanism of injury, and latency between injury, primary implantation, and presentation with a complication. Two nails that fractured in vivo were analyzed by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and polarized light microscopy after chemical etching.

Results

Fifty-four complications in 51 patients were identified. The most common complications were non-union (n = 26, 48%), infection (n = 16, 30%), flexion limitation (n = 11, 20%), nail fracture (n = 4, 7%), delayed union (n = 4, 7%), and malunion (n = 4, 7%). Other complications included broken or floating screws. Fractography revealed that two of the fractured nails most likely failed by fatigue followed by fast fracture at the site of non-union. We found no evidence of intrinsic nail defects. We identified multiple inconsistencies between SIGN’s database and independent clinic records.

Conclusions

Non-union and infection were common relative to all complications. Based on radiographic review, risk for non-union and malunion can be minimized by selecting an appropriate nail diameter, using multiple interlocking screws, and employing the correct implant and approach for fracture morphology when using SIGN nails. Nail fractures were unlikely to be caused by metallurgical flaws. Further study is necessary to determine the appropriate management of non-unions based on radiographic and clinical factors.
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Metadaten
Titel
Complications in patients with intramedullary nails: a case series from a single Cambodian surgical clinic
verfasst von
Erik Woelber
Audrey Martin
Douglas Van Citters
Craig Luplow
Michael Githens
Charlotte Kohn
Yong Jun Kim
Heang Oy
Jim Gollogly
Publikationsdatum
28.05.2018
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
International Orthopaedics / Ausgabe 2/2019
Print ISSN: 0341-2695
Elektronische ISSN: 1432-5195
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-018-3966-z

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