Vanamali B. Seetharamaiah 1 , Sunil Basavarajanna 2 , Mahendra A. R 3 , Ankith Naduvanahalli Vivekanandaswamy 4
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Femur is the largest bone of the body and one of the principal load-bearing bones in the lower extremity, fractures can cause prolonged morbidity and extensive disability unless treatment is appropriate. The fracture can be surgically treated either by closed interlocking nailing without opening the fracture site or open interlocking nailing by opening the fracture site. The aim of this study is to compare bone healing and functional outcome in diaphyseal fracture of femur treated with open and closed interlocking nailing. MATERIALS & METHODS: It is a comparative prospective study. Hundred and six fractures of femur were treated with interlocking nails. Closed nailing was done in 57 patients. Open nailing was done in 49 patients. Both groups were compared with respect to functional outcome and radiological union at the end of one year. Statistical analysis was done by using Chi Square Test. RESULTS: In our study average time for radiological union was 22.64 weeks for closed nailing and 24.21 weeks for open nailing. Functionally 92.98% of closed group and 83.67% of open group had excellent to good outcome. There is no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Complications were almost same in both groups. CONCLUSION: Interlocking intramedullary nailing is an effective and a successful method of treatment in the diaphyseal fractures of femur. Interlocking nail provides stable fixation and rotational stability. Both open and closed techniques of interlocking nailing show comparable results in terms of union and function with open technique having some specific advantages especially in less equipped centres..
