Research Article

No Difference in Short-Term Complications following Treatment of Closed Tibial Shaft Fractures with Intramedullary Nailing versus Plate Fixation

Table 1

Demographic and comorbidity characteristics for patients undergoing tibial ORIF and IMN.

IMN unadjusted (%)ORIF (%) valueIMN matched (%)ORIF (%) value

Patients, N (%)2136 (77.5)621 (22.5)621 (50)621 (50)
Age (years, mean ± SD)31.1 ± 18.536.8 ± 18.4<0.00137.1 ± 19.636.8 ± 18.40.766
BMI (kg/m2, mean ± SD)27.8 ± 7.129.2 ± 7.6<0.00128.9 ± 7.329.2 ± 7.60.358
Male sex1174 (55.0)272 (43.8)<0.001284 (45.7)272 (43.8)0.530
Operative time (mins)99.1 ± 51.7100.0 ± 47.50.66098.5 ± 55.1100.0 ± 47.50.601
Length of stay3.55 ± 4.043.32 ± 5.760.3663.71 ± 3.663.32 ± 5.760.160
ASA class2.18 ± 0.82.27 ± 0.780.0162.23 ± 0.772.27 ± 0.780.381
 1 (no disturbance)426 (19.9)103 (16.6)113 (18.2)103 (16.6)
 2 (mild disturbance)971 (45.5)268 (43.2)266 (42.8)268 (43.2)
 3 (severe disturbance)652 (30.5)228 (36.7)225 (36.2)228 (36.7)
 4 (life-threatening disturbance)87 (4.1)21 (3.4)17 (2.7)21 (3.4)
 5 (moribund)01 (0.2)01 (0.2)
Race
 White1445 (67.6)423 (68.9)423 (68.9)423 (68.9)
 Black199 (9.3)57 (9.2)57 (9.2)57 (9.2)
 Asian69 (3.2)16 (2.3)16 (2.3)16 (2.3)
 Other423 (19.8)125 (20.1)125 (20.1)125 (20.1)
Dependent functional status (partial or total)143 (6.7)48 (7.7)0.41348 (7.7)48 (7.7)0.439
Current smoker611 (28.6)143 (23.0)0.006∗145 (23.3)143 (23.0)0.944
Comorbidities, N (%)
 Congestive heart failure17 (0.80)7 (1.1)0.4566 (0.97)7 (1.1)1
 Renal failure9 (0.42)2 (0.32)14 (0.64)2 (0.32)0.701
 Dialysis26 (1.2)7 (1.1)14 (0.64)7 (1.1)0.568
 Steroid use55 (2.6)17 (2.7)0.87419 (3.1)17 (2.7)0.857
 Weight loss5 (0.23)2 (0.32)14 (0.64)2 (0.32)0.693
 Bleeding disorder107 (5.0)29 (4.7)0.76135 (5.6)29 (4.7)0.526
 Ascites001001
Preoperative transfusion22 (1.0)5 (0.81)0.66611 (1.8)5 (0.81)0.202
 Diabetes271 (12.7)103 (16.6)0.01086 (13.8)103 (16.6)0.196
  IDDM153 (7.2)54 (8.7)52 (8.4)54 (8.7)
  NIDDM118 (5.5)49 (7.9)34 (5.4)49 (7.9)
 DOE60 (2.8)26 (4.2)0.89517 (2.7)26 (4.2)0.226
 COPD90 (4.2)24 (3.9)0.78725 (4.0)24 (3.9)1

BMI: body mass index; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; DOE: dyspnea on exertion; renal failure: wherein renal function has been compromised within 24 hrs prior to surgery; dialysis: acute or chronic renal failure requiring dialysis within 2 weeks of indexed procedure; weight loss: considered as greater than 10% decrease in body weight in six-month interval preceding surgery; IDDM: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.