The effect of dexketoprofen trometamol on the healing of diaphysis fractures of rat tibia

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of dexketoprofen trometamol, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, on fracture healing. Methods: Closed tibia fracture was created in the right tibia of 60 male Wistar albino rats. Fixation was achieved by closed reduction and 0.5 mm intramedullary nails. Intramuscular dexketoprofen trometamol was administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg daily to the 30 rats in the study group. Rats were sacrificed in groups of 10 at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks following the fracture. Fracture healing was compared mechanically, radiologically, and histopathologically between the groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the study and control groups in terms of mean values of radiological or histopathological scores at the 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks (p>0.05). Biomechanical evaluation could not be conducted in all rats in the study and control groups at the 2nd week due to early stage fracture healing. Mean biomechanical examination values were not statistically significant at the 4th and 6th weeks between the study and control groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: No radiological, biomechanical, and histological effects were detected in the healing of closed fractures of the tibia fixed with intramedullary nail with the long-term use of dexketoprofen trometamol. Dexketoprofen trometamol may be used in patients undergoing surgical fixation for traumatic fractures, taking into account other drugs administered together.