Is there a place for open intramedullary nailing in femoral shaft fractures?

BACKGROUND: Femoral shaft fractures are among the most common fractures following high trauma injuries. Different kinds of treatment have been suggested for these injuries. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the results femoral fractures treated by mini open and close intramedullary nailing (IMN) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 adult patients were operated due to fracture of the femur with close or open IMN technique between September 2010 and September 2011. 23 patients operated with close. IMN technique was included in Group I while 24 patients operated with mini open IMN technique constituted Group II. In Group I, all patients. Were operated on the fracture table in the supine position while in Group II, all patients underwent surgery on standard tables in the lateral position. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 27.3 years, ranging between 16 and 62. The mean age of the close nailing and open nailing groups was 30.5 and 24.5 respectively (P = 0.052). Only one patient from the open nailing group failed to unite. The mean time for union in close and open nailing groups was 13 + 2.4 and 17.7 + 2.3 weeks respectively (P = 0.001). No infection or limb length discrepancies were observed in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Although close nailing is the preferred methods in most cases, but in poly-traumatized patients or in centers where there are no fracture tables or C-arm, open nailing is a good option.