The Marchetti Bundle Nail in the Treatment of Comminuted Femoral Fractures

Abstract

In a retrospective study, 66 patients with 67 comminuted femoral fractures were treated with Marchetti-Vincenzi intramedullary flexible bundle-type nail. Fifty-six of the 67 fractures (84 %) united within 12 to 22 weeks after the operation (mean, 16 weeks). Delayed union occurred in six fractures (9 %) and non-union in five fractures (7 %). Closed nailing was accomplished in only 75 % of the fractures. Other complications included malunion in three patients (4 %), femoral shortening in three (4 %), perforation of the distal femur by the pins in three (4 %), breakage of the distal pins in three (4 %), and deep infection in one patient. Distal locking mechanism problems were observed intraoperatively in seven patients (11 %). Because of the high complication rate in this series, we do not recommend the use of this type of nail for the treatment of comminuted femoral shaft fractures.

Key words

Intramedullary nailing - Marchetti nail - femoral fracture

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