Sohail Iqbal Sheikh, Muhammadullah, Arab Khan, Javed Iqbal.
Closed Interlocking Tibial Nailing without using an Image Intensifier.
J Islamic Int Med Coll Jan ;6(2):19-24.

Introduction: Internal fixation with interlocking nails is commonly performed using an image intensifier which is expensive and is not readily available in most resource-poor countries of the world. Objective: The aim of this study was to achieve internal fixation with interlocking nail without the use of an image intensifier and to study the mean union time and complications in these patients. Study Design: It was a quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Railway General Hospital (RGH), Rawalpindi over duration of two years from January 2010 till December 2011. Materials and Methods: 22 closed tibial shaft fractures were fixed with interlocking intramedullary nails without using an image intensifier. Results: The study included 22 closed tibial shaft fractures. The mean age of the patients was 39.4±9.97 years and the range was 2255 years. There were 8 females and 14 males. Postoperative plain radiographs confirmed that all of the cases had satisfactory positioning of the inserted nails and interlocking screws. The mean union time was 13.8±4.2 weeks. Two cases of delayed union were seen (union occurred at 24 and 28 weeks). One case of infection occurred and presented with an infrapatellar abscess. Shortening of 12 mm and valgus deformity occurred in one case due to loosening of distal screw. Conclusion: Internal fixation with interlocking of tibial shaft fractures can be achieved successfully without an image intensifier

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