The aim of the present study was to comparatively analyse certain outcome measures of open @entity174 , stratified per grade of @entity542 and method of treatment. For this purpose, a systematic review of the English literature from 1990 until 2010 was undertaken, comprising 32 eligible articles reporting on 3060 open @entity174 . Outcome measures included rates of union progress (early union, delayed union, late union and non-union rates) and certain complication rates ( @entity281 , @entity2054 and amputation rates). Statistical heterogeneity across component studies was detected with the use of Cochran chi-square and I(2) tests. In the absence of significant statistical heterogeneity a pooled estimate of effect size for each outcome/complication of interest was produced. All component studies were assigned on average a moderate quality score. Reamed tibial nails (RTNs) were associated with significantly higher odds of early union compared with unreamed tibial nails (UTNs) in IIIB @entity4422 (odds ratio: 12, 95% CI: 2.4-61). Comparing RTN and UTN modes of treatment, no significant differences were documented per grade of @entity4422 with respect to both delayed and late union rates. Surprisingly, nonunion rates in IIIB @entity4422 treated with either @entity5806 were lower than IIIA or II @entity4422 , although the differences were not statistically significant. Significantly increased @entity281 rates of IIIB @entity4422 compared with all other grades were documented for both modes of treatment (RTN, UTN). However, lower @entity281 rates for IIIA @entity4422 treated with RTNs were recorded compared with grades I and II. Interestingly, grade II open @entity174 , treated with UTN, presented significantly greater odds for developing @entity2054 than when treated with RTNs. Our cumulative analysis, providing for each grade of @entity542 and each particular method of treatment a summarised estimate of effect size for the most important outcome measures of open @entity174 , constitutes a useful tool of the practicing surgeon for optimal decision making when operative treatment of such @entity174 is contemplated.

Prevalence of complications of open tibial shaft XXXX stratified as per the Gustilo-Anderson classification.

@entity174 :: ('MESH:D050723', 'Disease') :: ['fractures', 'tibial fractures'] @entity4422 :: ('MESH:D005597', 'Disease') :: ['open fractures'] @entity5806 :: ('MESH:D009260', 'Disease') :: ['RTNs or UTNs'] @entity542 :: ('MESH:D006259', 'Disease') :: ['open injury'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['deep infection'] @entity2054 :: ('MESH:D003161', 'Disease') :: ['compartment syndrome']
@entity174 :: (MESH:D050723,Disease) :: ['fractures']
