Comparative investigation of percutaneous plating and intramedullary nailing effects on IL-6 production in patients with tibia shaft fracture

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of intramedullary nailing (IMN), open platingand percutaneous plating on the induction of IL-6 in patients with tibia fractures.Methods: A total of 30 patients with tibia shaft fracture underwent either intramedullary nailing (IMN,n¼ 15; 14 males and 1 female; mean age: 32.1 ± 15.6), ORIF plating (n ¼ 8; 5 males and 3 females; meanage: 60.0± 17.8), or percutaneous plating (n ¼ 7; 6 males and 1 female; mean age: 43.1 ± 21.4). Serum IL6 cytokine levels were measured prior to, and 6 and 24 h after the surgery, using a special ELISA kit.Results: The IL-6 concentration increased to peak levels at 6 h in both IMN and percutaneous platinggroups, and at 24 h in ORIF plating group (p< 0.001). The mean IL-6 concentration of percutaneousplating group was signiŞcantly lower than that of the IMN group at 6 h following the surgery (p ¼ 0.022).In addition, the mean IL-6 concentration of ORIF plating group was signiŞcantly higher than that of thepercutaneous plating group at 24 h post operation (p¼ 0.009).Conclusion: Our results suggest that percutaneous plating compared to the IMN has lower effects on IL-6production in patients with tibia fracture.Level of evidence: Level III, therapeutic study.