Outcomes of closed interlocking intramedullary nailing of the tibia without fluoroscopy in resource-limited settings: experience from two hospitals in Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: closed static interlocking nailing with c-arm guidance is the standard procedure for the treatment of closed diaphyseal leg fractures. It is still very difficult to carry out such procedures in a low-income setting because of few or absent image intensifiers (c-arm) despite the necessity. The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes of patients with tibial fractures treated with closed interlocking intramedullary nails without c-arm guidance in a Cameroonian population.

Methods: this was a prospective study including adult patients treated for tibial fractures without a c-arm in two regional hospitals.

Results: finally, 22 patients were included. The mean age was 34 ± 12.6 years with a male predominance (16 males and 6 females). Ninety percent of the fracture lines were simple or with a wedge fragment grade 42A or 42B respectively according to the AO classification. The mean surgery time was 1 hour 26 ± 34 minutes. The various aspects evaluated were the nail entry point which was good in 19 (86.4%) cases; proper nail driving which was considered good in 15 (68%) cases; the distal locking which was missed in 6 (27.3%) cases. Bone consolidation was obtained in an average of 4 ± 1.2 months in all 22 cases.

Conclusion: in resource constraints settings where c-arm are not always available, closed interlocked nail of tibia without c-arm guidance still gives overall good results. Nevertheless, there is a need to improve equipment in sub-Saharan African hospitals to make trauma surgery with c-arm a gold standard as currently recommended.