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| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 20
| Issue : 1 | Page : 10-14 |
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Management of gustilo and anderson type i and ii open tibial fracture using delayed primary nailing: An assessment of clinical and radiological outcome
Kabiru Salisu1, FO Awonusi2, N Isa3
1 Department of Surgery, Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria
2 Alliance Hospital, Area 11 Garki, Abuja, Nigeria
3 Department of orthopaedic and trauma, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala Kano, Nigeria
| Date of Submission | 22-Mar-2021 |
| Date of Acceptance | 27-May-2021 |
| Date of Web Publication | 9-Jul-2021 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Kabiru Salisu
Department of Surgery, Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/njot.njot_35_20
Background: Open tibial fracture is one of the most common trauma emergencies. Marked delay in presentation is noticed in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa due to poor pre-hospital care, presentation to traditional bone setters and out-of-pocket payment of services. Primary nailing at the time of initial debridement was noticed to have a high prevalence of infection in some series. Delayed primary nailing after a period of debridement and wound care was found to be safe with less complication rate in this study. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the clinical and radiological outcome of management of Gustilo and Anderson (GA) Type I and II open tibial fracture using delayed primary nailing, especially in patient with delayed presentation. Methodology: Twenty-one (21) patients with open (GA I and II) tibial diaphyseal fracture were recruited into this study. They had initial debridement and a period of wound care before subsequent nailing. All patients had tibial interlocking nailing 5–9 days post-injury using open technique with aid of the external jig system. The patients were followed up for 9 months. Clinical outcome was assessed using Johner and Wruh's criteria at 6 months. The radiologic outcome was assessed using Radiologic union scale for tibia fracture (RUST). Results: The M: F was 4:1 with a mean age of 37.24 ± 13.8 years. Road traffic accident accounted for 85.7% (n = 18). Marked delayed presentation was noted, only four patients (19.1%) presented within 6 h from injury. GA Type II open fracture was the most prevalent fracture type accounting for 81.9% (n = 17). The clinical outcome using Johner and Wuh's criteria at 6 months post-nailing showed 18 patients (86%) had excellent and good outcome. Only one patient (4.8%) had poor outcome. RUST was used to assess the rate of union following the tibial nailing. Fractures were scored at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 9 months. Ten patients (47.6%) were united at 6 weeks, whereas 21 (100%) had achieved union at 9 months. The average time to radiologic union was 17.3 weeks. Seven patients (33.3% n = 7) had complications. Anterior knee pain, superficial surgical site infection (SSI) and delayed union were the complication recorded. Conclusion: Delayed primary nailing of open tibial fracture produces good to excellent outcome with acceptable complication rate, especially SSI.
Keywords: Clinical and radiological outcome, delayed primary nailing, open tibial diaphyseal fracture
How to cite this article:
Salisu K, Awonusi F O, Isa N. Management of gustilo and anderson type i and ii open tibial fracture using delayed primary nailing: An assessment of clinical and radiological outcome. Niger J Orthop Trauma 2021;20:10-4 |
How to cite this URL:
Salisu K, Awonusi F O, Isa N. Management of gustilo and anderson type i and ii open tibial fracture using delayed primary nailing: An assessment of clinical and radiological outcome. Niger J Orthop Trauma [serial online] 2021 [cited 2023 Mar 22];20:10-4. Available from: https://www.njotonline.org/text.asp?2021/20/1/10/320895 |
| Introduction | |  |
Tibial diaphyseal fracture is the most common long bone fracture. Tibia is prone to high-energy injury and open fractures owing to its subcutaneous nature and anatomical location. Motorcycle accident was found to be the most common cause of high-energy tibial shaft fracture.[1] Different methods of management of tibial diaphyseal fracture have evolved over the years, with locked intramedullary nailing as the gold standard treatment option for displaced closed or open (Gustilo and Anderson [GA] I and II) tibial shaft fractures.[2] Intramedullary nailing provides the biomechanical advantage of being able to control alignment, translation and rotation. Locked intramedullary nailing promotes early motion of adjacent joints, early weight bearing, callus formation and good bone healing.[3] Solid, unreamed nailing was advocated in the treatment of open tibial fracture, this method of treatment uses small size nail and associated with high risk of revision (exchange nailing), delay union and non-union.[4],[5] Marked delay in the presentation is noticed in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa, due to poor pre-hospital care, presentation to traditional bone setters and out-of-pocket payment of services.[6],[7] Primary nailing at the time of initial debridement was noticed to have a high prevalence of infection in some series. However, in this research, we employed delayed primary nailing using reamed, locked, hollow intramedullary tibial nail following debridement and period of wound care within 5–9 days post-injury.
| Methodology | | |
The study was carried out at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala, Kano state, Northwest of Nigeria. The study was a hospital-based prospective interventional study. Consecutive patients between the age group of 18 and 62 years with open (GA I and II) tibial shaft fractures were included in the study. It was carried out between May 2016 and November 2017. Ethical clearance was obtained from the hospital as well as informed consent from the patients or their guardian. Patients with risk factors affecting fracture healing and those with sign of infection following debridement were excluded. All patients had resuscitation using advanced trauma life support protocol.[8] Intravenous (IV) fluid and analgesics were commenced. Antibiotics and tetanus prophylaxis were given, wounds irrigated with normal saline and dressed with sterile gauze on presentation at A and E as well as application of a temporary gutter spintage.[9],[10] Plain radiographs of the leg (anteroposterior [AP] and lateral views) were obtained after resuscitation. All patients had initial debridement and plaster of Paris back slab application within 24–48 h of presentation at the A and E theatre; they were mobilised non-weight bearing on the affected limb a day after debridement using bilateral axillary crutches. Second look debridement and intramedullary nailing were done using trans-patella, open method by aid of external jig and locked both proximally and distally. All patients had post-operative medications in form of; IV ceftriaxone 1 g bd for 72 h, analgesia using combination of IV pentazocine 30 mg 6 hourly, intramuscular diclopenac 75 mg 12 h and IV Paracetamol 600 mg 8 hourly and IV fluid (normal saline 1 L daily, 5% dextrose in water 2 L daily) 1 L 8 hourly for 24–48 h. Oral analgesics were continued for 2 weeks.
At 24 h post-operative, the check X-rays and packed cell volume were obtained and finding noted. Active knee and ankle exercises were instituted as soon as pain subsides within the first 48 h. Those with stable fracture were commenced on partial weight bearing ambulation using bilateral axillary crutches as soon as pain allows within the first 72 h under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Partial weight bearing was delayed in those with less stable fracture were commenced on non-weight bearing ambulation within the first 48 h and continued until bridging callus was noted. Full weight bearing was started after radiographic evidence of bridging callus was established usually after 8–12 weeks post-operative. Wounds were inspected 48 h post-operative and stitches were removed 2 weeks post-surgery. All patients were followed up for a period of 9 months.
Data were collected during pre-operative period, intraoperative, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 9 months post-surgery using questionnaire. Final measurement of parameters as contained in Johner and Wruh's criteria[11] was done at 6 months post-operative using the questionnaire. This clinical outcome measure takes into account the clinical and functional outcome as well as the complications of tibial diaphyseal fractures. It is the most widely used for the assessment of tibial diaphyseal fracture outcome especially following intramedullary nailing.
[Table 1] shows the parameters assessed and outcome ranging from excellent to poor.
Radiographic outcomes using radiologic union scale for tibia fracture (RUST)[12] were obtained on radiograph taken at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 9 months. The RUST is based on the presence or absence of callus formation and of visible fracture line at the 4 cortices visible on the AP and lateral radiographs, as shown in [Table 2]. Radiologic union based on RUST score is defined as the presence of bridging callus in at least 3 cortices with score of ≥7.
All post-operative complications (up to 9 months) were recorded in the questionnaire. Data obtained were analysed and presented as table and charts.
| Results | | |
From the total number of 21 patients recruited into the study, the result shows that male are more affected according this ratio, M:F of 4:1.
The age range of the patients was 18–62 years, with a mean age of 37.24 ± 13.8 years. Road traffic-related injuries were the most common mechanism of injury. Motorcycle accident being the most prevalent with 61.9% (n = 13), as shown in [Figure 1]. Only four patients (19.1%) presented within the golden hours (<6 h). Most patients (n = 9, 42.9%) presented within 6–48 h [Table 3]. GA Type II open fracture was the most prevalent fracture type accounting for 81% (n = 17), while GA I accounted for 19% (n = 4).
The clinical outcome using Johner and Wuh's criteria was assessed at 6 months post-nailing. Eighteen patients (86%) had excellent and good outcome. Only one patient (4.8%) had poor outcome, as shown in [Figure 2].
Ten patients (47.6%) were united at 6 weeks while 21 (100%) had achieved union at 9 months, as shown in [Table 4]. The average time to radiologic union was 17.3 weeks.
[Figure 3] and [Figure 4] are the preoperative clinical photograph and plain radiograph of a patient with Gustilo and Andersen type II open left tibial fracture. His post operative clinical photograph [Figure 5] showed healed scars and excellent joint mobility. He also had good radiologic union noticed on plain radiograph [Figure 6] and [Figure 7] at 3 months and 9 months following delayed primary nailing respectively. | Figure 3: A clinical photograph of open left tibial fracture Gustilo and Anderson Type II
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 | Figure 4: Pre-operative radiograph anteroposterior and lateral of the studied patient above, showing an oblique fracture of left tibia and fibula
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 | Figure 5: Three months post-operative clinical picture, showing healed scar and excellent knee movement
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 | Figure 6: Three months postoperative radiograph RUST score medial cortex = 3, lateral cortex = 1, Posterior corte × 2, Anterior cortex = 2, Total RUST = 8
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 | Figure 7: Nine months post-operative radiograph RUST score medial cortex = 3, lateral corte × 3, posterior corte × 3, Anterior cortex = 2, Total RUST = 11
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Seven patients (33.3%) developed various types of complications [Table 5]. Anterior knee pain was the most common complication, accounting for 19.0% (four patients) of the cases. Superficial surgical site infection (SSSI) was seen in two patients (9.5%)
| Discussion | | |
Road traffic accident was the most common mechanism of injury. Marked delayed presentation was noted few presented within 6 h from time of injury. GA Type II open fracture was the most prevalent fracture type. These parameters are in keeping with the epidemiological study on open tibial fracture.[13]
Delayed primary nailing defined in this study as nailing following initial debridement and a period of wound care, 5 days post-debridement was chosen as minimal period required to identify the early features of surgical site infection (SSI). The result of this work is compared with related works, as shown in [Table 6].
It is noteworthy to mention that all the researches reviewed employed primary nailing at the time of initial debridement. Similar to Kaushik et al.[14] who reported 16.4 weeks, time to union in this study was found to be 17.3 weeks but lower than 20.1 weeks reported by Essoh et al.[15] Functional outcome was assessed using Johner and Wruh's criteria with good to excellent functional outcome seen in 86% (n = 18) while Kaushik et al.[14] and Joshi et al.[4] used Kertegian criterion as functional outcome, with almost similar result. Lower incidence of complication is one of the aims of this method, especially SSI. SSSI was seen in only 9.5% (n = 2) of the patients, this result was comparable to those of Ashwin et al.[16] and Kaushik et al.[14] Our patients in this study had marked delay in presentation, this delay negate the choice of primary nailing because is associated with high risk of infection, thus the choice of delayed primary nailing to lower the risk of SSI. Joshi et al.[4] and Essoh et al.[16] reported higher SSI and incidence of chronic osteomylitis (COM) in their studies. Idumagbodi et al.[17] reported a result of primary nailing from the population of similar geographical location and sociodemographic variables of both closed and open tibial fracture with resultant SSI and COM of 22.22% their time to presentation and treatment also ranges from 12 h to 2 weeks signifying similar delay in presentation. The result of Idumagbodi et al.[17] showed significantly higher infection rate then our study. This is likely due to employment of delay nailing where those patients with high risk of SSI are identified during the period of wound care. Delay union in this study was relatively lower than the studies reviewed.[4],[16],[15] No incidence of non-union or malunion was found in our study.
| Conclusion | | |
Delayed primary nailing of open tibial fracture produces good to excellent outcome with acceptable complication rate especially SSI.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
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| 14. | Kaushik SK, Khan A, Gupta U, Pathania VP. Primary Intramedullary nailing of open (Grade I and II) Tibial fracture; A functional outcome. Ijss 2015:352-5. |
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5], [Figure 6], [Figure 7]
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6]
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