Rotational Stability of Proximally Unlocked Retrograde Femoral Nail In Damage Control Surgery – Biomechanical Study
Abstract BACKGROUND: This biomechanical study was performed to look into the rotational stability of retrograde femoral intramedullary nail when it is used without proximal locking as a damage control device for management of femoral shaft fractures in emergency situations. This study compares this technique with the accepted methods for femoral shaft fixations in damage control surgeries. An alternative technique of using lateral compression screw to provide additional rotational stability is described.METHODS: Experiments were divided into four different sets. Distally locked retrograde nail was passed across the fracture without any proximal fixation in set 1, a compression screw passed from lateral cortex in set 2, a proximal locking screw fixation in set 3. In set 4, Saw bone was fixed with external fixator.The lateral compression screw group was further sub divided into three subgroups based on the amount of torque applied manually.The torsion test was applied to create an rotational displacement of 10 degrees and the maximum load required to create the rotational displacement was noted.RESULTS: Application of a compression screw improved the rotational stability significantly in comparison to no proximal locking. In the subgroup III of lateral compression screw application, the rotational stability was found to be equivalent to stability achieved with Nail with proximal locking and was found to be greater in comparison to external fixator application.CONCLUSION: This study shows that the addition of a lateral compression screw significantly improves rotational stability and has the potential to be used in emergency lifesaving procedures.