Suprapatellar intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures in pregnancy. A report of two cases

Abstract

Background: Treatment of closed tibial shaft fractures in the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy is controversial. Since there are few case reports published in literature, there is no consensus on the appropriate management of these fractures. This case report proposes intramedullary nailing throught the suprapatellar approach for the treatment of tibial shaft fracture in pregnant women, never described before in literature.

Case presentation: We report 2 cases of a tibial diaphyseal fracture treated by intramedullary nailing in women at the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy.

Conclusion: Surgical treatment of tibial shaft fracture of pregnant women in the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy with intramedullary nailing seems to be safe. The use of the specific suprapatellar approach helps in the intra-operative management of the pregnant patients.

Keywords: Intramedullary nailing; Pregnancy; Pregnancy trauma; Suprapatellar surgical approach; Tibial fracture.