Intramedullary fixation of tibial shaft fractures using an expandable nail

Interlocking intramedullary nails are the gold standard for treating tibial fractures. We compared the clinical and economic factors associated with tibial fracture fixation using either interlocking intramedullary or expandable nails. From 2000 to 2002, 53 patients with 53 diaphyseal tibial fractures of similar characteristics (AO/OTA 42A1-B3) were randomly and prospectively treated with either interlocking (n = 26) or expandable nails (n = 27). Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years. The mean surgical duration was 104 minutes with interlocking nails and 52.9 minutes with expandable nails. Rehospitalizations were required in 12 patients (46%) and reoperations were required in nine patients (35%) with interlocking nails. Only one patient (3%) with an expandable nail required rehospitalization and reoperation. Union was achieved after 17 weeks (mean) with interlocking nails and 11.5 weeks with expandable nails. The beneficial economic ramifications of using expandable nails were a 39% reduction in overall surgical and hospital expenses. Expandable nails showed important clinical advantages for tibial fracture fixation, and complications related to lengthy operations, reoperations, and rehospitalizations were substantially reduced. Overall treatment cost was substantially lower with expandable nails. Based on these advantages, simplicity in use, and short surgical time, we recommend an expandable nail for treating tibial (AO Type A, B) shaft fractures.