Percutaneous Clamp-assisted Reduction Before Intramedullary Nailing for Tibial Shaft Fractures to Improve Reduction Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Abstract

Background: This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of percutaneous clamp-assisted reduction (PCR) and conventional direct reduction (DR) techniques prior to intramedullary nailing (IMN) in the management of tibial shaft fractures.

Materials and methods: The medical records of 68 consecutive patients treated via IMN via the infrapatellar approach between January 2020 and December 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. After the inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied, patients were divided into PCR (n=37) and DR (n=31) groups. Demographic data, fracture characteristics, surgical data, and prognostic outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Baseline characteristics showed no significant intergroup differences. PCR demonstrated a longer reduction time (25.3±1.9 min vs 21.4±1.4 min, P<0.01) but required less fluoroscopic exposure (18.0±1.4 vs 22.0±1.4, P<0.01), shorter surgical duration (73.0±3.1 min vs 88.7±8.6 min, P<0.01), and reduced blood loss (101.6±17.2 mL vs 153.2±52.9 mL, P<0.01). No open reductions occurred in the PCR group, whereas five cases occurred in the DR group (16.1%, P<0.05). Approximate anatomical union rates significantly favored PCR (62.2% vs 16.1%, P<0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, union time, delayed union rate, or malunion rate.

Conclusion: Compared with conventional DR, PCR prior to IMN improves fracture reduction quality, reduces intraoperative invasiveness, and enhances procedural efficiency, with superior anatomical alignment outcomes. [Orthopedics. 2025;48(3):e147-e152.].