Shaikh Naeem-ul Haq, Syed Abdur Rub Abidi, Syed Amir Jalil, Syed Adnan Ahmed, Zamir Hussain Tunio, Muhammad Farooq Umer, Taha Junaid Khan.
Comparison of Closed Versus Open Interlocking Nail Femur: a Retrospective Cohort study in a Tertiary Care Hospital.
J Pak Orthop Assoc Jan ;32(3):125-30.

Objective: To compare the results of closed interlocking nail shaft of femur versus open interlocking nail in terms of union, non-union and infection rate. Methods: We conducted this retrospective Cohort study in Department of Orthopedics Jinnah Medical College Hospital Karachi and Dow University Hospital- Ojha Campus Karachi. The medical record of all patients meeting the inclusion criteria and operated for interlocking nails(closed/open) shaft of femur in the time period extending from 23rd February 2018 to 3rd March 2019 were included in our study. The demographic details, radiographs, operative notes and follow up records of both groups were noted. The post-operative results of union, non-union and infection at final evaluation at one year were compared in both groups. Chi square test was applied and P value calculated. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The medical record of 116 patients with mean age 31.1±8 were examined. Closed interlocking nail (group A) was done in 62 patients with mean age 31.1±7.9 years(range 20 to 55 years) while fracture site was opened(group B) in 54 patients with mean age 31.2±8.2years(range 19 to 57 years. The average time of radiological union was 20.5 ±3 weeks in closed versus  26.3±6 weeks in open nailing(  P value <0.05).The rate of union in group A was 95.1%(n=59) and 77.7%(n=42) in group B.(P <0.05) Delayed union was documented in 6(9.6%) patients in group A and 14(25.9%) in group B(P<0.05).Non-union was noted in 03(4.8%) patients in group A and 12(22.2%) patients in group B. Superficial infection was noted in   4(6.4%) in group A and 13(24%) patients in group B.(P <0.05) Conclusion: Closed interlocking nail for fracture shaft of femur resulted in earlier union, better union rates and less infection rate than open interlocking nail. Every effort must be made to avoid opening fracture side in interlocking nail femur.

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