[UFN system. A method of minimal invasive surgical management of femoral shaft fractures].

The aim of this study is to present our early clinical experience using the Unreamed AO Femoral Nail (UFN). The UFN system combines the advantages of numerous proximal interlocking options for the treatment of nearly all femoral fractures patterns with those of unreamed nailing (biological osteosynthesis, preservation of the cortical blood supply, closed mediate reduction, primary stability, high degree of patient comfort). Operation time and blood loss are reduced by eliminating the reaming procedure. The risk of infection is minimized by avoiding dead space. The positioning of the patient on the operating table without the use of traction allows for a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Our report deals with intraoperative handling, intra- and postoperative complications and the prospective clinical outcome in using the solid femoral nail system in Austria. Within nearly 2 years (August 1994-April 1996) 52 closed fractures and four second-degree open fractures were stabilized using the unreamed femoral nail. In 12 cases we used the spiral blade interlocking technique. Four times we changed from external fixation to the UFN. According to the AO classification, we found 8 fractures of the proximal femur (A 1/1: 1; A3/1: 2; A3/3: 5) and 48 diaphyseal fractures (A1:4; A2: 7; A3: 16; B1: 5; B2: 6; B3: 6; C1: 1; C2: 2; C3: 1). Thirty patients were followed up over an average period of 9.1 months postoperatively. The clinical and radiological results were excellent in 20 cases; average fracture healing time was about 10.6 weeks.