Journal of Musculoskeletal Trauma

Original Articles

Treatment Results of Reamed Exchange Nailing in Aseptic Nonunion of Tibial Shaft Fracture: Yongjin Cho, Jun Young Lee, Jehong Ryu, Hyoung Tae Kim, Jong Jin Moon; J Korean Fract Soc 2023;36(4):125-132. Published online October 31, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2023.36.4.125

Abstract PDF: Purpose
Intramedullary nailing is used widely for treating tibial diaphysis fractures because of its relatively rigid internal fixation, which allows weight bearing, resulting in rapid bone healing and functional recovery. This study evaluated the results of exchange nailing in treating aseptic nonunion of tibial shaft fractures.
Materials and Methods
From November 2015 to December 2021, a retrospective study was conducted on patients who had undergone intramedullary nailing for tibial diaphysis fractures. Among them, this study focused on patients diagnosed with nonunion and who underwent exchange nailing. Twenty patients with a minimum follow-up period of at least 12 months were included in the study.
Results
The mean ages of patients were 60 years (range, 30-79 years). Of the 20 cases in which exchange nailing was performed, bone union was achieved in 18 cases (90.0%), and the mean period was 23 weeks (range, 14-46 weeks). Among the 18 cases of bone union, one case exhibited delayed union and achieved union without additional treatment after 46 weeks, while two cases of nonunion failed to achieve union and were lost to follow-up until the final assessment.
Conclusion
Reamed exchange nailing performed on aseptic nonunion after intramedullary nailing for tibial diaphysis fractures had satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Results of Exchange Nailing in Hypertrophic Nonunion of Femoral Shaft Fracture Treated with Nailing: Suenghwan Jo, Gwang Chul Lee, Sang Hong Lee, Jun Young Lee, Dong Hwi Kim, Sung Hae Park, Young Min Cho; J Korean Fract Soc 2019;32(2):83-88. Published online April 30, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2019.32.2.83

Abstract PDF: PURPOSE
This study examined the outcomes of exchange nailing for the hypertrophic nonunion of femoral shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nailing as well as the factors affecting the treatment outcomes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 1999 to March 2015, 35 patients, who had undergone intramedullary nailing with a femoral shaft fracture and underwent exchange nailing due to hypertrophic nonunion, were reviewed. This study investigated the time of union and complications, such as nonunion after exchange nailing, and analyzed the factors affecting the results.
RESULTS
Bone union was achieved in 31 cases (88.6%) after exchange nailing and the average bone union period was 22 weeks (14â€“44 weeks). Complications included persistent nonunion in four cases, delayed union in one case, and superficial wound infection in one case. All four cases with nonunion were related to smoking, three of them were distal shaft fractures, and one was a midshaft fracture with underlying disease.
CONCLUSION
Exchange nailing produced satisfactory results as the treatment of hypertrophic nonunion after intramedullary nailing. Smoking is considered a factor for continuing nonunion even after exchange nailing. In the case of a distal shaft, where the intramedullary fixation is relatively weak, additional efforts are needed for stability.

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