New biological method of internal fixation of the femur.

One of the main goals in fracture treatment is reservation of both intramedular and periosteal vascularisation. The aim of this paper is to show a new method of internal fixation which accomplishes these goals. The paper presents the results of clinical application of Mitkovic Internal Fixator, new self-dynamisable device, which provides fixation of the femur using minimally invasive technique. This device has been investigated experimentally on 60 animals. It has been applied to 267 patients. Here is presented a series of 92 fixations of femoral diaphyses after fresh fractures and after unsuccessful treatment using other methods. Follow-up was 3.1 years (2 to 7 years). Bone healing was achieved in all patients within 3.5 months (2.7-9 months) with big amount of periosteal callus formation. There were no complications in all patients seen. It can be concluded that this method and device meet biological and biomechanical requirements for safe fracture treatment.