Cerclage wiring in the management of comminuted fractures of the femoral shaft.

A retrospective series of 20 patients is presented, comprising 21 fractures of the femoral shaft treated by open reduction and internal fixation (usually by medullary nailing) combined with cerclage wiring. Most of the patients were young with comminuted fractures of the femoral shaft, many with multiple injuries. The aims of stable reduction and early sound union of the fracture in anatomical position were achieved in all cases and that of early mobilization of the knee to a good ultimate range of flexion in almost all cases.