Systematic review of dynamization vs exchange nailing for delayed/non-union femoral fractures

Abstract

AIM

To analyze the literature on efficacy of dynamamization vs exchange nailing in treatment of delayed and non-union femur fractures.

METHODS

Ultimately, 31 peer-reviewed articles with 644 exchanged nailing patients and 131 dynamization patients were identified and analyzed. The following key words were inputted in different combinations in order to search the field of publications in its entirety: “non-union”, “delayed union”, “ununited”, “femur fracture”, “femoral fracture”, “exchange nailing”, “dynaiz(s)ation”, “secondary nailing”, “dynamic”, “static”, and “nail revision”. The initial search yielded over 150 results, and was refined based on the inclusion criteria: Only studies reporting on humans, non-unions and delayed unions, and the usage of exchange nailing and/or dynamization as a secondary treatment after failed IM nailing. The resulting 66 articles were obtained through online journal access. The results were filtered further based on the exclusion criteria: No articles that failed to report overall union rates, differentiate between success rates of their reported techniques, or articles that analyzed less than 5 patients.

RESULTS

Exchange nailing lead to fracture union in 84.785% of patients compared to the 66.412% of dynamization with statistically comparable durations until union (5.193 ± 2.310 mo and 4.769 ± 1.986 mo respectively). Dynamically locking exchange nails resulted in an average union time of 5.208 ± 2.475 mo compared to 5.149 ± 2.366 mo (P = 0.8682) in statically locked exchange nails. The overall union rate of the two procedures, statically and dynamically locked exchange nailing yielded union rates of 84.259% and 82.381% respectively. Therefore, there was no significant difference between the different locking methods of exchange nailing for union rate or time to union at a significance value of P < 0.05. The analysis showed exchange nailing to be the more successful choice in the treatment of femoral non-unions in respect to its higher success rate (491/567 EN, 24/57 dynam, P < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference between the success rates of the two procedures for delayed union fractures (25/27 EN, 45/55 dynam, P = 0.3299). Nevertheless, dynamization was more efficient in the treatment of delayed unions (at rates comparable to exchange nailing) than in the treatment of non-unions.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, after examination of factors, dynamization is recommended treatment of delayed femur fractures, while exchange nailing is the treatment of choice for non-unions.

Key Words: Non-union, Delayed union, Dynamization, Femoral fracture, Exchange nailing

Core tip: Information from previously published articles investigating patients treated for delayed union and non-union femur fractures by either dynamization or exchange nailing was combined and analyzed to better understand which technique was more efficient at achieving osseous union. When treating femoral non-unions, exchange nailing was shown to achieve osseous union in a higher percentage of patients than dynamization with comparable recovery times. However, dynamization appears to be equally as effective as exchange nailing in the treatment of delayed unions.

INTRODUCTION

Delayed union and non-union are two designations for the slowed or absent progression of callus formation and osseous healing in a fracture from 3-6 mo, and greater than 6 mo, respectively. Although IM nailing is an effective treatment method for femoral fractures with union rates reported between 90%-100%[1], non-union rates have increased due to the higher probability of survival in complex injuries and improved limb salvage techniques[2]. As a result, secondary surgical techniques have become increasingly important in achieving osseous union in femur fractures.

Two of the more common secondary surgical techniques used in the treatment of delayed union and non-union after IM nail failure are dynamization and exchange nailing. Dynamization involves the removal of proximal or distal locking screws in a statically locked IM nail allowing weight bearing to stimulate osseous growth at the fracture site. Previously, surgeons used this technique before delayed union occurred in an attempt to avoid complications and improve union rates. However, studies have failed to find any advantage to this choice[3], resulting in it mainly being used as a secondary treatment.

An alternate treatment strategy, exchange nailing, consists of the removal of the current IM nail, debridement of the medullary cavity, followed by insertion of a larger IM nail. This procedure utilizes reaming and increased fracture stability to stimulate osseous growth. Different variations of this procedure have been reported, with varying rates of success attributed to factors such as the use of bone grafting, size of medullary reaming, and different nail locking methods[4,5].

Unfortunately, the overall reported rates of successful unions achieved using these techniques range from 33.3%-90% in dynamization[6-12] and 28.6%-100% in exchange nailing[8,9,13-36]. Additional factors including infection, locations of injury, and major surgical complications have been reported at varying rates across literature resulting in a lack of consensus in the field[5].

The results of multiple studies were examined in an attempt to consolidate the published information across the field and clarify which procedure to use. Consolidation of these results into a larger subject pool across the existing literature increases the strength of its conclusions compared to individual reports. Additionally, the locking method of exchange nails, either static or dynamic, has been identified as a possible factor affecting union rates[5]. Dynamic locking attempts to combine these procedures in order to improve healing rates, as compared to static exchange nailing, but results have been varied. Finally, dynamization has been suggested to result in different rates of success between the treatments of delayed unions in comparison to non-unions[1]. This may allow procedures to be utilized more effectively, based on the different progressions of patients’ injuries. Currently there is lack updated systematic review and meta-analysis on this topic in the literature. This systematic review and meta-analysis were designed to analyze the current literature on these two procedures in their treatment of delayed and non-union femur fractures to determine their overall efficacy and factors related to their success.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE and OVID search databases were used to identify relevant, peer-reviewed articles published within scientific and medical research journals. The following key words were inputted in different combinations in order to search the field of publications in its entirety: “non-union”, “delayed union”, “ununited”, “femur fracture”, “femoral fracture”, “exchange nailing”, “dynaiz(s)ation”, “secondary nailing”, “dynamic”, “static”, and “nail revision”. The initial search yielded over 150 results, and was refined based on the inclusion criteria: Only studies reporting on humans, non-unions and delayed unions, and the usage of exchange nailing and/or dynamization as a secondary treatment after failed IM nailing. The resulting 66 articles were obtained through online journal access. The results were filtered further based on the exclusion criteria: No articles that failed to report overall union rates, differentiate between success rates of their reported techniques, or articles that analyzed less than 5 patients. In all, 31 articles (including retrospective studies and randomized controlled studies), published between 05/1973 and 12/2015, were included in the study (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Flow diagram for studies included in analysis. The following boxes starting from the top depicts the progression from initial studies found pertaining to the desired procedures followed by the removal of different studies based on our exclusion criteria.

Isolation and pooling of dependent variables and summary measures from the 31 papers were completed using set guidelines. Patients treated in each study were required to have previously undergone treatment with an IM nail that was still in place at the time of the secondary surgery being studied. Therefore, implantation of a dynamically locked IM nail following external fixation/plating was considered neither exchange nailing nor dynamization. Dynamization of IM nails were required to be in response to failed progression towards union (delayed/non-union). Patients receiving dynamization as part of their original treatment plan were excluded from the analysis. When analyzing patient demographics, patient information tables included in the studies were the primary source used. Bilateral fractures were recorded as separate fractures with independent characteristics. Additionally, revision surgeries and progression to union were recorded but repeated surgeries were not considered in overall union rates (three exchange nailing procedures to achieve union were considered as a failure of the secondary treatment under investigation to achieve union). Verified infections were recorded and included only when discrete from other patient information, so as to prevent skewing of the overall results. Finally, patients lost to follow-up were excluded from the analysis unless osseous union was confirmed prior to them leaving the study.

Statistical analysis

In order to analyze the information, all of the demographical information for patients from each surgical procedure was combined and used to compare each demographic category against the overall union rate of its respective surgical procedure as well as against the same category of the opposite surgical procedure. Statistical significance was determined using graphpad™ to run Fischer exact or χ² tests (based on category sizes) with P-values reported next to statistically significant information. Time to union was analyzed using a two-tail T-test. Significance for all analyses was determined to be P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Exchange nailing showed to be the significantly more effective treatment procedure with an overall union rate of 84.785% compared to 66.412% in dynamization (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the average time to osseous union following either surgical procedure (4.769 ± 1.986 mo dynamization, 5.193 ± 2.310 mo exchange nailing, P = 0.3622). Therefore, the overall difference found while comparing the two procedures was their successful union rates (Table 1).

Table 1 Overall outcomes of surgeries studied.

Surgical procedure	Surgical subtype	No. of articles reporting on secondary procedure (patient number)	Average union %	Average reported time to union
Dynamization	All	7 (131)	66.412b	4.769 ± 1.986 mo (26 pts)a
Exchange nailing	All	26 (644)	84.785b	5.193 ± 2.310 mo (372 pts)a
Exchange nailing	Static locking	15 (235 pts)	84.259	5.149 ± 2.366 mo (103 pts)
Exchange nailing	Dynamic locking	13 (211 pts)	82.381	5.208 ± 2.475 mo (84 pts)

^bP < 0.0001, significant;

^aP = 0.3622, not significant.

Dynamically locking exchange nails resulted in an average union time of 5.208 ± 2.475 mo compared to 5.149 ± 2.366 (P = 0.8682) in statically locked exchange nails. The overall union rate of the two procedures, statically and dynamically locked exchange nailing yielded union rates of 84.259% and 82.381% respectively. Therefore, there was no significant difference between the different locking methods of exchange nailing for union rate or time to union at a significance value of P < 0.05 (Table 1).

Union rates of specific demographics were compared across procedures and compared against each procedure’s overall union rates. Several demographics in exchange nailing yielded significantly different overall rates of union compared to exchange nailing as a whole. Of these demographics, tobacco use (54/74, P = 0.0023), infra and supra-isthmal fracture location (5/9, P = 0.0265, 10/16, P = 0.0045) and infection (19/30, P = 0.0019) were shown to have a significant negative impact on the outcome of exchange nailing (Tables 2-5). The isthmal classification system yielded significantly lower union rates compared to the overall rates of exchange nailing while proximal, middle, and distal thirds categories did not yield a difference. Therefore, in comparison, the isthmal classification system appears to be more useful for predicting surgical outcomes based on fracture location. However, a larger patient pool would be preferable to confirm these results.

Table 2 Overall demographics of patients involved in studies.

	Exchange nailing		Dynamization		EN vs dynam
	Union/total reported	Significant vs total union rate	Union/total reported	Significant vs total union rate	P-values
No. of patients	556/644	-	84/131	-	P < 0.0001
Ages
Mean	38.002	-	32.234	-	-
Gender
Male	244/284	NS	37/66	NS	P < 0.0001
Female	72/86	NS	17/26	NS	NS
Tobacco use
Yes	54/74	P = 0.0023	2/3	NS	NS
No	49/62	NS	0/3	P = 0.0500	P = 0.0128
NSAIDs use
Yes	4/8	P = 0.0166	0/0	-	-
No	38/52	P = 0.0093	2/6	NS	P = 0.0463
Diabetic
Yes	0/0	-	0/0	-	-
No	10/19	P = 0.0006	0/0	-	-
IDDM (type 1)	0/0	-	0/0	-	-

NS: Not significant; NSAID: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug; IDDM: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Table 3 Fracture information of patients involved throughout studies.

	Exchange nailing		Dynamization		EN vs dynam
	Union/total reported	Significant vs total union rate	Union/total reported	Significant vs total union rate	P-values
No. of patients	556/644	-	84/131	-	P < 0.0001
Mechanism of injury
Crush	2/2	NS	0/0	-	-
Gun shot wound	2/2	NS	0/0	-	-
Motorcycle Accident	27/35	NS	0/0	-	-
Pedestrain/bike vs motor vehicle	2/6	P = 0.0045	0/0	-	-
Motor vehicle accident	146/163	NS	14/24	NS	P = 0.0004
Fall	1/5	P = 0.0017	0/0	-	-
Sporting accident	1/1	NS	0/0	-	-
Industrial accident	2/3	NS	0/0	-	-
Non-traumatic	0/0	-	0/0	-	-
Bombing injury	0/0	-	0/0	-	-
Location of injury
Proximal shaft	26/30	NS	2/3	NS	NS
Mid-shaft/isthmal	139/154	NS	32/51	NS	P < 0.0001
Distal shaft	38/43	NS	1/3	NS	NS
Supra-isthmal	10/16	P = 0.0172	1/1	NS	NS
Sub-trochanteric	4/4	NS	2/3	NS	NS
Infra-isthmal	5/9	P = 0.0265	0/0	-	-
Fracture pattern
Oblique	21/21	NS	0/0	NS	-
Segmental	0/0	-	2/5	NS	-
Transverse	14/14	NS	0/0	NS	-
Commimuted	19/21	NS	17/30	NS	P = 0.0219
Open vs closed
Closed	133/162	NS	14/24	NS	P < 0.0001
Opened	25/32	NS	0/0	-	-
I	1/2	NS	0/0	-	-
II	2/4	NS	0/0	-	-
IIIA	1/2	NS	0/0	-	-
IIIB/C	1/1	NS	0/0	-	-
Winquist-Hansen classification
Stable	41/64	P < 0.0001	20/29	NS	NS
O	7/13	P = 0.0054	0/0	-	-
I	18/23	NS	12/17	NS	NS
II	16/27	P = 0.0007	6/9	NS	NS
Unstable	14/23	P = 0.0028	22/36	NS	NS
III	11/17	P = 0.0234	6/9	NS	NS
IV	3/6	P = 0.0387	2/2	NS	NS
V	0/0	-	2/2	NS	-
Presence of fracture graph
Present	0/0	-	29/44	NS	-
No gap	0/0	-	1/1	NS	-

NS: Not significant.

Table 4 Nonunion/delayed union information including secondary surgery information.

	Exchange nailing		Dynamization		EN vs dynam
	Union/total reported	Significant vs total union rate	Union/total reported	Significant vs total union rate	P-values
No. of patients	556/644	-	84/131	-	P < 0.0001
Reamed vs unreamed
Reamed	516/598	NS	NA	-	-
Unreamed	19/22	NS	NA	-	-
Static vs dynamic
Dynamic	97/115	NS	NA	-	-
Static	173/210	NS	NA	-	-
No locking (/Kuntschner)	35/36	NS	NA	-	-
Delayed union	25/27	NS	45/55	P = 0.0228	P = 0.3199
Nonunion (+type)	491/567	NS	24/57	P = 0.0063	P < 0.0001
Elephant	6/7	NS	0/0	-	-
Horse	12/18	P = 0.0310	0/0	-	-
Oligotrophic	22/22	NS	16/22	NS	P = 0.0211
Hypotrophic	9/13	NS	0/0	-	-
Atrophic	80/99	NS	5/12	NS	P = 0.0064
Hypertrophic	72/83	NS	9/11	NS	NS
Bone grafting used
Yes	98/106	NS	2/2	NS	NS
No	165/190	NS	32/53	NS	P < 0.0001
Infected	19/30	P = 0.0019	0/0	-	-
Patients lost to follow-up	28	-	4	-	-
Major complications following surgery	45	-	13	-	NS
Patients achieving union after additional surgery vs surgeries attempted	82/92	-	34/34	-	-

NA: Not available; NS: Not significant.

Table 5 Union rates of each peer-reviewed article by procedure type.

PMID	Procedure(s) analyzed	Union rate (%)
21726859	Dynamization	33.333
9462352	Dynamization	41.667
8370009	Dynamization	45.455
9291371	Dynamization	58.33
22841533	Dynamization	71.795
12142827	Dynamization	78.947
10088839	Dynamization	90
20101132	Exchange nailing	28.571
10926240	Exchange nailing	55.56
12719163	Exchange nailing	57.895
24978947	Exchange nailing	69.444
6488644	Exchange nailing	75
26489394	Exchange nailing	75.676
22327999	Exchange nailing	78.049
10791668	Exchange nailing	78.26
1738973	Exchange nailing	81.25
25300373	Exchange nailing	81.966
19897987	Exchange nailing	85.714
22338431	Exchange nailing	90.698
18579143	Exchange nailing	90.909
12142827	Exchange nailing	90.909
12479620	Exchange nailing	91.667
18090018	Exchange nailing	91.892
10476292	Exchange nailing	96
4707299	Exchange nailing	100
10088839	Exchange nailing	100
20820792	Exchange nailing	100
Kim JR1	Exchange nailing	100
9253919	Exchange nailing	100
10513972	Exchange nailing	100
1126078	Exchange nailing	100
7965294	Exchange nailing	100
22009873	Exchange nailing	100

¹No accessible PMID[36].

Of the dynamization factors, union rates of delayed union (45/55, P = 0.0228) and non-union fractures (24/57, P < 0.0063) were significantly better and worse, respectively, in comparison to dynamization’s overall union rate (84/131) (Table 4). Dynamization of delayed unions proved to be a more successful procedure than dynamization of non-unions in femurs. When comparing demographics across surgical procedures, there was a lack of a statistical difference between female patients (72/86 EN and 17/26 dynam, P = 0.0544), hypertrophic fractures (72/83 EN and 9/11 dynam, P = 0.6563), and delayed union (25/27 EN and 45/55 dynam, P = 0.3199) (Table 2 and 4)

The analysis showed exchange nailing to be the more successful choice in the treatment of femoral non-unions in respect to its higher success rate (491/567 EN, 24/57 dynam, P < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference between the success rates of the two procedures for delayed union fractures (25/27 EN, 45/55 dynam, P = 0.3299). Without a clear preference in overall success rates for one procedure over the other, additional surgical factors were examined. Dynamization, in comparison to exchange nailing, is a significantly less invasive procedure, has a lower financial cost, and comparable complication rates[1] (Table 4). With these factors in mind, in addition to the comparable success rates, the overall results suggest dynamization as the treatment of choice in patients with delayed union femur fractures.

On the other hand, exchange nailing showed a significantly higher success rate in non-unions when compared to dynamization (491/567 EN, 24/57 dynam, P < 0.001). In order to avoid the need for further surgical interventions, exchange nailing should be the first consideration in the treatment of non-union femur fractures. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the success rates or time to union between static and dynamic locking modes of exchange nailing (Table 1). When performing exchange nailing, clinicians should look to alternate factors specific to each patient when deciding which locking method to use in their treatment plans.

DISCUSSION

While exchange nailing and dynamization have been used as revision techniques for decades, the overall efficacy of each procedure is currently disputed[6-36]. Multiple factors and varying rates of success were published in the field with little consistency between papers. The current study examines the literature, utilizing a large subject pool of all published information in the field regarding these procedures.

Several previous authors raised concern for the use of a distal vs mid vs proximal fracture classification when considering treatments in favor of the infra, supra, sub, and isthmal classification[16]. The current analysis lent favor to their speculation in favor of the isthmal classification system (Table 3). Additionally, some authors even went on to propose different algorithms for the proper treatment of non-unions based of fracture characteristics, including fracture stability[36]. Following the analysis, the differences found between the individual isthmal classifications lend favor to its use over other systems.

In addition to fracture location, authors have raised questions over other factors that may affect procedural outcomes. While over-reaming is considered standard in most exchange nailing procedures, the suggested amount varies. Some articles report significant increase in union rates with different reaming sizes, while others found no difference. There was difficulty in comparing these claims across the literature due to the variation in reporting. Of the authors reporting reaming sizes, different ranges in millimeters (i.e., 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm vs 0-1 mm, 2-4 mm) were typically used disallowing consolidation of the information.

Authors additionally raised concern over the success rates of exchange nailing based on the anterograde or retrograde revision technique[17], as well as the open or closed techniques[29]. Wu et al[29] found the closed revision technique of exchange nailing lead to faster union times while requiring less operating time to complete the procedure. However, they found the overall union rates of the procedures to be identical at 100%. In the other study, Wu et al[17] investigated the use of retrograde dynamic nailing after antegrade locked nailing had failed. In all 13 patients, retrograde revision techniques lead to osseous union of the femur fracture. Information in additional articles addressing these procedural techniques was not found leaving their comparisons for future research to address.

While a large amount of patient information regarding these secondary treatments was gathered, the analysis was limited by the variation in reporting and characteristic descriptions across all papers. Some papers lacked specific patient information in regard to procedure successes and failures, while others reported characteristics in ways that hindered consolidation of the data. As such, the total patient population was restricted. In order to provide a more representative review of entire field of research, increased patient numbers and more consistent reporting styles are needed.

Future analysis of these procedures should be performed once more data has been published. While the analysis yielded some significant results, other patient characteristics need to be investigated more thoroughly to gain a comprehensive insight into the common factors influencing procedure outcomes. Additionally, a comparison of external fixation/plating and internal fixation procedures in femoral non-unions could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the situations that require each secondary treatment technique.

While exchange nailing showed higher union rates with comparable healing times to dynamization overall and in non-unions, the two procedures showed no significant difference in their results for the treatment of delayed unions. Upon examination of additional factors, specifically cost and invasiveness, dynamization should be considered the first treatment of delayed femur fractures. Conversely, in order to avoid further complications, including the need for additional surgery, exchange nailing is the treatment of choice for non-unions.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

Dynamization involves the removal of proximal or distal locking screws in a statically locked IM nail which allowing weight bearing to stimulate osseous growth at the fracture site.

Research motivation

Although rare, delayed union and non-union of fractures are major complications in the treatment of femoral fractures with intramedullary (IM) nailing. Surgeons use dynamization and exchange nailing to treat these complications and achieve osseous union.

Research objectives

The purpose of this study is to analyze the literature on these procedures in their treatment of delayed and non-union femur fractures to determine their efficacy and factors related to their success.

Research methods

Exchange nailing consists of the removal of the current IM nail, debridement of the medullary cavity, followed by insertion of a larger IM nail. Currently there is lack updated systematic review and meta-analysis on efficacy of dynamamization vs exchange nailing in treatment of delayed and non-union femur fractures.

Research results

Ultimately, 31 peer-reviewed articles with 644 exchanged nailing patients and 131 dynamization patients were identified and analyzed. It was found that when treating femoral non-unions, exchange nailing was shown to achieve osseous union in a higher percentage of patients than dynamization with comparable recovery times. However, dynamization appears to be equally as effective as exchange nailing in the treatment of delayed unions.

Research conclusions

Exchange nailing is the procedure of choice between the two in the treatment of femoral non-unions due to its significantly higher success rate.

Research perspectives

Clinical randomized controlled studies on this topic will help further elucidate this conclusion.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences’ Medical Student Summer Research Program for allowing collaboration between students and faculty, making this research project possible.