Comparison of outcome of Dynamic Compression Plate and intramedullary nailing in femural shaft fracture

Treatment of the femural shaft fracture is imporoving. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of Dynamic Compression Plating (DCP) and intramedullary nailing in the femural shaft fracture. This clinical trial study was done in orthopedic department of Shahid Kamyab Hospital in Mashhad – Iran during 2002-03. 40 patients with open fracture of femur divided into two groups. One group was treated by dynamic compression plate and the other group by intramedullay nailing. Follow-up time was 9-14 months. Out of 40 patients, 75% were male. The time of clinical and radiological bone union was the same in both groups. There was 4 implant failure in the plate group (P<0.05). There was one deep infection in the intramedullary nailing group. This study showed that there is no difference between plate and intramedullary nailing group according time of bone union. But because of 4 implant failure in DCP groups, intramedullary nailing is recommended for femural shaft fracture.