OBJECTIVE: To compare the exposure time to radiation in patients with distal third fractures of the tibia treated with intramedullary nail and bridge plate. METHODS: In 33 fractures intramedullary nails were used, and in 41 fractures plates were used. In the intramedullary nail group, according to the AO classification, 14 patients had type A fractures, 15 patients had type B fractures and four had type C fractures. Twelve patients had closed fractures and 21 had open fractures. In the plate group, 10 patients had type A fractures, 22 patients had type B fractures and nine had type C fractures. 27 patients had closed fractures and 14 had open fractures. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in exposure time to radiation between the patients treated with the intramedullary nail and the plate (p = 0.0001). The group treated with the intramedullary nail had a significantly higher exposure time to the radiation than the group treated with the plate. Comparing the type of fracture (A, B and C), it was observed that there is no considerable difference in exposure time to radiation between the intramedullary nail technique (p = 0.19) and the plate technique (p = 0.80). CONCLUSION: Fractures of distal third of the tibia treated with intramedullary nail show considerably higher exposure time to radiation than fractures treated with the bridge plate, independent of fracture type.
Tibial fractures; Fracture fixation, intramedullary; Radiation exposure; Comparative study
