Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical treatment through the comparison of LC-DCP (Limited Contact-Dynamic Compression Plate) versus LCP (Locking Compression Plate) fixation in the plate augmentation for the nonunion of femur shaft fractures after intramedullary nail fixation.
Materials and Methods
Twenty-four patients with the nonunion of femur shaft fractures after intramedullary nail fixation who underwent plate augmentation were evaluated from Mar. 2001 to Sept. 2005. The group with LC-DCP augmentation was done bicortical screw fixation and the group with LCP was done monocortical fixation.
Results
There was one case of nail breakage in LC-DCP group, but sound bony union were achieved uneventfully in all the cases of both group. LCP fixation was slightly superior to LC-DCP fixation in view of the bony union time, operating time, postoperative Hb down, amount of postoperative transfusion, but there was no statistical difference (p>0.05).
Figures and Tables
![]() | Fig. 2(A, B) Radiograph taken at 10 months after intramedullary nailing for femoral shaft frature, shows hypertrophic nonunion.
(C, D) LC-DCP plate augmentation with autogenous iliac bone graft was done to the fracture site to counter the rotational instability leaving the intramedullary nail in situ.
(E, F) At 5.7 months after osteosynthesis, radiograph shows bone union.
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![]() | Fig. 3(A, B) Radiograph taken at 12.5 months after intramedullary nailing for femoral shaft frature, shows oligotrophic nonunion.
(C, D) LCP plate augmentation with autogenous iliac bone graft was done to the fracture site to counter the rotational instability leaving the intramedullary nail in situ.
(E, F) At 7.6 months after osteosynthesis, radiograph shows bone union.
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![]() | Fig. 4(A, B) Radiograph taken at 13.8 months after intramedullary nailing for femoral shaft frature, shows hypertrophic nonunion.
(C, D) LC-DCP plate augmentation with autogenous iliac bone graft was done to the fracture site to counter the rotational instability leaving the intramedullary nail in situ
(E, F) At 4 months after osteosynthesis, intramedullary nail was broken (arrow).
(G, H) At 8 months after osteosynthesis, radiograph shows bone union.
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