Treatment of fractures of the femoral shaft by locked intramedullary nailing in adults at the University Clinics of Bukavu
Authors:   Orthopedic Surgeon-Traumatologist, Department of Surgery, University Clinics of Bukavu, Faculty of Medicine, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rodrigue Mupenda Mwenibamba ,   Surgery Department, Skyborne Hospital Center in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mukakala Augustin Kibonge ,   Surgery Department, Skyborne Hospital Center in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo,   Assistant in the Surgery Department of the University Clinics of Bukavu, Faculty of Medicine, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo,   Resident of the Surgery Department of the University Clinics of Lubumbashi, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Moise Mbaluku Colombe ,   Surgery Department of University Clinics of Bukavu, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Emmanuel Mugangu Cishibanzi ,   Surgery Department, Skyborne Hospital Center in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Prince Wakyata Kwalya ,   Surgery Department of University Clinics of Bukavu, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ange Mufariji Rhugendabanga ,   Assistant in the Surgery Department of the University Clinics of Bukavu, Faculty of Medicine, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Christian Bisimwa Wabene ,   Surgery Department of University Clinics of Bukavu, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kabangu Tshimbila ,   Surgery Department of University Clinics of Bukavu, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo,   Professor of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Published: November 2020

Introduction: The objective was to report the experience of the University Clinics of Bukavu on the treatment of fractures of the femoral shaft by locked intramedullary nailing in adults. Patients and method: This is a descriptive prospective study of a series of 31 cases collected in two centers: the University Clinics of Bukavu and the Skyborne Hospital from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. The data collected includes epidemiological, clinical aspects and treatment of patients and had been analyzed by the software Epi Info version 7.2. Results: The mean age of our patients was 34.6 ± 13.2 years (range: 16-68 years) with a sex ratio of 1.2. Spinal anesthesia was used in 29 (93.55%) patients and 29 patients were installed in a supine position contralateral to the lesion. Open reduction predominated (83.87%). SIGN and TIBA type nails were used, and their dimensions varied depending on the size of the patient's femur. Static locking was performed in 29 (93.55%) patients. The mean operating time was 88.2 ± 18.2 minutes (range: 60-120 minutes). The mean length of hospital stay was 11.3 ± 3.16 days (range: 7-21 days). The average number of postoperative rehabilitation sessions was 26.8 ± 3.86 (range: 20-35 sessions). The mean follow-up was 14.87 ± 3.93 months (range: 9-20 months). The mean time to union was 3.33 ± 0.55 months (range: 3-5 months) and, 8 patients presented complications, i.e. 3 cases of hemorrhagic shock on admission, 3 cases of shortening of 1cm, one superficial infection and one case of delayed union and 30 (96.78%) patients were satisfied with their functional results. Socioprofessional or school reintegration was observed in 28 (90.32%) patients. Conclusion: Locked intramedullary nailing has proven to be an effective osteosynthesis technique in the surgical treatment of fractures of the femoral shaft at the University Clinics of Bukavu and at Skyborne Hospital.