Efficiency of Treatment of Opened Fracture Tibia Gustilo Type I and Type II by Unreamed Kuntscher Tibial Nail and Plate Fixation in Pathum Thani Hospital

Abstract

             The unreamed intramedullary - locking nail of the tibia becomes popular in Thailand for primary stabilization of opened fracture of the tibia. However, the cost of these implants and instruments are costly and their utilization needs fluoroscope. A retrospective analytic study was performed to compare results of treatment of opened fracture tibia Gustilo type I and type II between unreamed Kuntscher tibial nail and plate fixation in Pathum Thani hospital. From March 2004 to October 2007, 84 patients with opened fracture tibia were enrolled. Adequate follow - up data were obtained in 78 patients. Of which 38 patients were treated with unreamed Kuntscher tibial nail, 40 patients were treated with plate fixation. Mann - Whitney U test and descriptive statistics were used for data analyses. Both groups reported no significant difference in age. The results revealed that treatment with unreamed Kuntscher tibial nail yielded better results than plate fixation in early union time, low infection rate, low implant failure. However, plate fixation was able to be used reasonably in Gustilo type I. In conclusion, treatment of open fracture tibia type I, II with undreamed  Kuntscher tibial nail was more effectiveness than plate fixation.

Key words: open fracture tibia Gustilo type I and type II, unreamed Kuntscher tibial nail, plate fixation