RETRACTED ARTICLE: A meta-analysis of external fixator versus intramedullary nails for open tibial fracture fixation

摘要

Background To compare the clinical outcomes of external fixator (EF) and intramedullary nails (IN) in the treatment of open tibial fractures. Methods We searched seven electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID, Cochrane library, CNKI, and CBM) for trials of tibial fracture fixation published from 1980 to 2013. The indicators including postoperative infection, malunion, nonunion, soft tissue injury, delayed healing, and healing time were used for quantitative outcome assessments. Results A total of nine trials involving 532 patients (EF, n =?253; IN, n =?279) with open tibia fractures were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that the patients undergoing IN had lower incidence of postoperative infection (risk radio [RR]?=?3.85; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 2.67–5.54; P Conclusion In conclusion, the use of IN is more effective than EF and may be considered as first-line approach in fixation of open tibial fractures.