Locked intramedullary nailing of open fractures in resource-poor settings: a prospective observational study of challenges and functional outcomes in 101 fractures at Ogbomoso, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Trauma is now one of the fastest growing epidemics globally but low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are more severely affected in terms of cost, disability and death. The high-energy trauma of road traffic accidents and violence often produces open fractures which can be difficult to manage in resource-poor settings. Adequate stabilization, such as provided by locked nails, has been found to ensure better outcome for open fractures. There is dearth of published studies on the use of locked intramedullary nail in the treatment of open fractures in Nigeria. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study of all the 101 open fractures of the humerus, femur and tibia treated over a period of 92 months with Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) nail. Fracture severity was classified according to the modified Gustilo-Anderson system. The intervals between fracture and antibiotics administration, débridement and definitive fixation, as well as surgery duration and method of fracture reduction were noted. Outcomes measured at follow-up included infection, ongoing radiographic healing, knee flexion/shoulder abduction beyond ninety degrees (KF/SA > 90(0)), full weight bearing (FWB), painless squatting (PS&S)/shoulder abduction-external rotation (SAER). RESULTS: Most of the patients fall between ages 20 and 49 years; 75.5% of them were males. There were more Gustilo-Anderson type IIIA fractures than other types but nine type IIIB tibia fractures were also nailed. The overall infection rate was 15%, contributed mostly by the type IIIB fractures. By the 12th post-operative week, at least 79% had ongoing radiographic healing and had achieved all of KF/SA > 90(0), FWB, and PS&S/SAER. CONCLUSION: The SIGN nail’s solid construct reduces the risk of infection and allows earlier use of the limb, making it particularly suitable in LIMCs where socioeconomic functioning often requires an unhindered use of the limbs.