Comparison of Early Outcome of the Close and Open Technique for the Treatment of Distal Femur Fractures

Objective: To compare the effects of closed and open techniques with its associated complications used for the management of distal femoral fracture in younger to older populations. Methodology: This was a case series study conducted in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad from Sept 2018- March 2019. A total of 66 adult patients were stratified according to treatment technique; closed technique group and open technique group with 33 patients in each group between age 18 - 65 years with fractured close distal 1/3rd shaft of femur distal femur fractures based on AO/OTA classification were included in the study. The Chi-square test was applied to contrast outcomes of closed and open technique and HSS score categories in both procedures. Results: The study findings showed that the mean age of the patient was slightly greater in the open technique group (41.5 + 23.5 years) compared to the closed technique (29.8 + 11.8 years). Most of the patients had type A femur fracture. The postoperative mean HSS knee score was 70.1 + 15.1 in the open technique group compared to 74.5 + 12.5 in the closed technique group with an insignificant difference between the two means (p<0.949). An insignificant difference was observed in postoperative infection, non-union, and implant failure between both groups. Conclusion: This study concluded that superior outcomes such as bony union without infection were achieved in patients with femur fractures treated with closed technique as compared to open technique, although the findings were statistically insignificant. Moreover, the functional outcome of the knee joint was also distinctly improved in the closed technique. Keywords:  Distal femur fracture, retrograde intramedullary femoral nail, locking compression plate, complications