The comparison between expandable intramedullary nails and interlocking intramedullary nails in treatment of tibial shaft fracture

Objective To compare and analyse the related factors in the treatment of tibial shaft fracture with expandable intramedullary and interlocking intramedullary nailing systems. Methods From June 2004 to October 2005,57cases with tibial shaft fractures were followed up.They were treated with two kinds of fixations: interlocking intramedullary nail(42cases) and expandable intramedullary nail(15cases).The data of each group were collected for comparison on the following aspects:operative time,blood loss,fluoroscopy exposures,post-operative complications and healing time of fracture. Results The differences of the operative time,blood loss,fluoroscopy exposures and healing time of fracture between two groups were of statistical significance (P0.05). The differences in the post-operative complications between two groups were of no statistical significance (P0.05).The group of expandable intramedullary nail was more satisfactory than the group of interlocking intramedullary nail on many aspects. Conclusion The expandable intramedullary nailing systems have many advantages over intramedullary nailing systems,such as easy operation,less trauma and soon healing.but they are more costly and less indication.