Technical note — The reamed unlocked 316L stainless steel femoral Küntscher nail is breakage resistant

Keywords:

Fractures of the femoral shaft, reamed unlocked 316L stainless steel intramedullary Küntscher nail, resistance to
breakage


Published online: Aug 12 2025

https://doi.org/10.52628/91.1.13905

B. MORISHO1, B. MULEMANGABO2, M. HOOGMARTENS3

1 Department of Surgery, Mutoyi Hospital, Mutoyi (Gitega), Burundi
2 Nursing Direction, Mutoyi Hospital, Mutoyi (Gitega), Burundi
3 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium

Abstract

Much controversy exists about the reliability of cheap implants, often the only ones affordable in low income countries. Between August 1, 2021, and August 1, 2023, 110 patients were treated with a reamed unlocked 316L stainless steel Küntscher nail for a fracture of the femoral shaft in Mutoyi Hospital, Mutoyi (Gitega), Burundi. Not a single breakage occurred. Minimal bending (9°) without the need of a reoperation occurred in 2 cases (1,8%). Migration necessitated a small reintervention for a single nail (0,9%).

ActaOrthopBelg-90-1-Cover

About this issue

Volume 91, issue 1.

Mar 2025.

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