Enclouage des os longs en situation précaire: intérêt du clou SIGN (Surgical Implant Generation Network)

Economic development in low-income countries has led to a considerable increase in motor vehicles, in particular motorcycles. Traffic accident-related fractures are therefore increasing. The treatment of long bone fractures is, in the majority of cases, based on locked intramedullary nailing, a procedure which is rarely available in countries with poor sanitary conditions. To provide optimal treatment to these countries, the SIGN (Surgical Implant Generation Network) nail was developed in 1999 by Lewis Zirkle. It is currently used free of charge in 53 countries. In return, an international database must be completed in order to assess and develop it. In the light of our experiences in Haiti and Burundi and on the basis of a literature review, we here highlight the conceptual and technical features of SIGN nail whose implant in French-speaking countries is still limited.