A Skeletal Traction on the Radiolucent Table in Closed Intramedullary nailing of Femoral Fracture

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of femoral shaft fracture treated by Intramedullary (IM) nailing through skeletal traction compared with manual traction on a radiolucent table. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty cases with femoral shaft fracture treated with closed IM nailing from January 2000 to June 2002 were divided into two groups; fifteen fractures reduced by manual traction (Group A) and fifteen fractures reduced by skeletal traction (Group B) on a radiolucent table. The number of people participated in the operations, operation and radiation exposure time, and post-operative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The number of people participated in the operations was five in Group A and four in Group B. The average operation time was 116 minutes and 82 minutes (p<0.001). The radiation exposure time was 2.8 minutes and 1.2 minutes (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the post-operative complications such as shortening or lengthening of bone between two groups. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the operative outcome between two groups. However, skeletal traction has positive effects of reducing the operation time, radiation exposure time, and number of people participating in the operations. Also, regarding the consistent traction power, skeletal traction is the better treatment modality in maintaining the alignment and length of femoral bone than manual traction.