Stable and unstable fractures of the femoral shaft.

A retrospective review of 99 cases of stable and unstable femoral shaft fractures treated with Grosse-Kempf intramedullary fixation is presented. Despite minor complications and technical problems, the procedures resulted in union with acceptable alignment in 98% of cases. Details of the complications and technical problems are reviewed. There was no incidence of deep infection despite 16 open fractures. The two cases of nonunion were salvaged with revision internal fixation and bone grafting. Grosse-Kempf interlocking intramedullary fixation is a technically demanding procedure, but offers excellent results in the management of stable and unstable, open and closed fractures of the femoral shaft.