Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2015, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (48): 7790-7794.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2015.48.014

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Tibial intramedullary nail and locking compression plate repair open tibial fractures by stages: biomechanical characteristics

Zhang Zeng-gao1, Zhou Xiao-dong2, Zhao Qi-ai2, Wu Li-wei3   

  1. 1Department of Emergency Surgery, 2Spinal Trauma Surgery, Jiaozhou Central Hospital of Qingdao Affiliated to Weifang Medical College, Qingdao 266300, Shandong Province, China; 3Second Affliated Hospital of Medical School of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266300, Shandong Province, China
  • Received:2015-09-23 Online:2015-11-26 Published:2015-11-26
  • Contact: Zhang Zeng-gao, Department of Emergency Surgery, Jiaozhou Central Hospital of Qingdao Affiliated to Weifang Medical College, Qingdao 266300, Shandong Province, China
  • About author:Zhang Zeng-gao, Associate chief physician, Department of Emergency Surgery, Jiaozhou Central Hospital of Qingdao Affiliated to Weifang Medical College, Qingdao 266300, Shandong Province, China

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary nail fixation has more advantages in open fractures compared with the locking compression plate, such as the dual functions of lock and compression, highly protecting the blood supply in fracture end, less tissue trauma, firm elastic fixation and low infection rate.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and biomechanical properties of tibial intramedullary nail and locking compression plate in treatment of open tibial fractures by stages.
METHODS: Totally 100 patients with open tibial fractures who received treatment at the Department of Orthopedics, Jiaozhou Central Hospital of Qingdao Affiliated to Weifang Medical College from January 2012 to January 2014 were enrolled. Patients were divided into tibial intramedullary nail group (n=57) and locking 
compression plate group (n=43) according to the surgical procedures using randomized controlled method. Ten corpses models of open tibial fractures provided by Jiaozhou Central Hospital of Qingdao Affiliated to Weifang Medical College were selected, and then randomly divided into 2 groups. Three-point bending test, axial compression test and torsional strength test were conducted after the fixation with tibial intramedullary nail and locking compression plate.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The operative time and per-operative blood loss of patients in the tibial intramedullary nail group was significantly less than those in the locking compression plate group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in wound infection, fixtures loosening, not healing and other complications after fixation between these two groups. There were no incision infection in these two groups. The specimens bending test offset, axial compression experiments offset and torsion test torsion angle in tibial intramedullary nail group were significantly less than those in the locking compression plate group (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that tibial intramedullary nail and locking compression plate for treatment of open tibial fractures by stages can achieve the desired therapeutic effect, however, the biomechanics of tibial intramedullary nail is more stable, and more in line with the biomechanical properties of human body, with the advantages of firm fixation, doing exercises in early stage and small stress shielding. Choosing the appropriate materials according to patient’s symptoms and fracture location during treatment can improve the curative effect. 
 

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