Patterns of Non-union of Femoral Shaft Fracture in Basra Teaching Hospital. A Retrospective review.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Long bone fractures are witnessed almost every day in the orthopedic practice. Femoral shaft fractures (FSF) generally are due to high energy trauma in working age group. non-union of FSF is not infrequently encountered challenge. This study reviews cases of FSF that ends up with non-union in Basra Teaching Hospital to explore some factors related to non-union. Patients and methods: A retrospective case series were conducted in Basra Teaching Hospital from January 2012 - June 2014 including 124 patient with FSF. Thirty three patients were identified during the study period (18 months), demographic criteria and injury patterns, initial treatment, early complications, subsequent interventions and fate of the patients are described. Results: Among 33 patients with nonunion FSF, 23 were males and 10 females, aged from 15 to 60 years (mean = 35). High energy trauma is the chief source of FSF in this analysis . After 9 - 12 months from initial trauma, patients ends up with non-union, 9 atrophic, 13hypertrophic and 11 infected non-union. Thirty patients underwent revision surgery, with addition of bone graft , three patients no revision surgery, within the study period ( 18 months ), 25achieved successful union or showing signs of progressive union , 3 had united fractures with chronic osteomyelitis , 5 non-united fractures . Conclusion: nonunion of FSF a great challenge to the orthopedic surgeon and the patient life and development, to overcome this problem both the surgeon and the patient should cooperate to avoid this tragedy story.

Keywords

• nonunion
• fsf (femoral shaft fracture)
• high energy trauma