Butterfly Fragment in the Femoral Shaft Fractures Treated by Intramedullary Nail: Do We Need to Reduce It or Not?

Abstract

Background: Limited data is available regarding the effect of gap size, fragment size and position of fragment on union in fragmented femur shaft fracture. The aim of the study is to analyze the effect of these parameters on union and determine cut-off values that necessitate reduction of fragment. Methods: Total of 59 patients with fragmented femur shaft fracture were reviewed and the effect of fragment size, gap size and fragment position on union were evaluated on 3rd, 6th and 12th month graphies from medical record of patients. Union rate was determined due to Radiographic Union Score of Femur. Patients were divided into small gap ( 10 mm) or large gap (10 mm), reverse fragment or non-reverse fragment and small fragment (50 mm) or large fragment (50mm) groups. Kruskal–Wallis Variance Analysis and Mann Whitney U test was used for comparisons among groups. The post-hoc Mann Whitney U-Test with Bonferroni Correction was used when the Kruskal Wallis Variance Analysis determined a significant difference.Results: In comparison of union scores of groups in regarding gap size and fragment size, there was not significant difference between groups at 3rd, 6th and 12th months. Union scores in the 3rd month (p=0,011) and 6th month (p=0,039) were lower in the reverse group than non-reverse group. But there was not statistically significant difference between two groups at 12th month (p=0.819). There was no significant difference in union rates in respect to intramedullary nail types. There was an indirect correlation between age and mean union score at 12th month. Conclusions: we could not determine any cutoff value regarding gap width and fragment size in the treatment of the femoral shaft fractures by IMN. Although there was a tendency to decrease in union scores due to the increase in the gap size, any significant difference was not determined. Only the reverse position of fragment had an adverse effect on the union until 6th months but the union score of reverse group reached the result of the non-reverse group by 12th months.