Comparison of Rate of Delayed Union Between Plaster Cast and Intramedullary Nailing (IMN) Technique in Closed or Grade 1 Open Tibial Shaft Fractures

Abstract

Objective: To compare the frequency of delayed union in plaster cast and intramedullary nailing technique in the management of closed or Grade 1 open tibial shaft fractures.

Study Design: comparative study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Department of Orthopedics, Chandka Medical College Teaching Hospital, Larkana in collaboration with Ghulam Mohammad Mahar Medical College Hospital, Sukkur from 1^st January 2016 to 30^th June 2016

Materials and Methods:. Total 60 patients having age from 20 to 50 years both male or female with closed or type 1 open tibial shaft fractures were selected for this study.

Results: The average age of cases in group A was 34.70±7.27 years and in group B was 35.33±8.10 years. Out of these 60 cases, 47 (78.33%) were male and 13 (21.67%) were females with ratio of 3.6:1. Rate of delayed union in Group A was (intramedullary nailing) was 20.0% while in Group B (plaster cast) was 63.33% with p-value<0.001.

Conclusion: This study concluded that delayed union is less in intramedullary nailing (IMN) technique compared to plaster cast in closed or grade 1 open tibial shaft fractures.