Outcome of Pertrochanteric Femur Fractures with Proximal Femur Locking Compression Plate

Background: Fractures of the proximal femur, including fractures affecting the pertrochanteric region, have become a public health problem. Owing to aging of the population, we have to operate on even more elderly patients who sometimes present with significant co-morbidities. Although conventional implants have given good results in stable peritrochanteric fractures, proximal femur locking compression plate (PFLCP) which has been recently introduced is better suited for comminuted, unstable pertrochanteric fractures and osteoporotic bones. In PF-LCP, bone-implantconstruct so formed is mechanically stable and fixation failure due to screw loosening in osteoporotic bone can be reduced. Materials &Methods: This prospective study was conducted in our institute and was approved by local ethical committee. Twenty-five consecutive patients of either sex with age more than 60 years (range, 60-84) having pertrochanteric fractures were operated upon with PFLCP. A.O classification was followed in the study and Singh抯 index for osteoporosis was calculated. Operating time, blood loss and any technical difficulty with the implant were recorded. Patients were followed clinically and radiologically for union at fracture site and implant-related complications for a period of 24 months. The Harris Hip Score was used to document hip functions at final follow-up. Observations: Amongst the 25 patients, the average operation time in our study was 66.60�.57 minutes. The average radiological union was 3.40�63 months (13.6 weeks). Average time for full weight bearing was 13.12�90 weeks. There were two cases of wound infection, one case of coxa vara and one case of a proximal screw back-out. There was no case of plate lift or screw breakage. There was no case of non-union. Conclusion: The PFLCP can be a feasible alternative to the treatment of peritrochanteric fractures. Treatment with PFLCP can provide good-to-excellent healing in osteoporotic bones having comminuted and unstable peritrochanteric fractures, with a limited occurrence of complications.

Factores asociados a fallo en la osteosíntesis de fracturas transtrocantéricas / Factor associated in the failure of the ostheosyntesis of transtrocantheric fractures

Resumen: Las fracturas transtrocantéricas representan la mitad de las fracturas del fémur proximal. La mayor incidencia es en > 65 años, mujeres y presentan mortalidad al año del 14 al 50%. Los objetivos de tratamiento son: fijación estable, restaurar la movilidad y recuperar la función. Las complicaciones tienen una incidencia de 17%, siendo las más comunes: desplazamiento en varo, no unión y cut out. Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre falla de la osteosíntesis y los siguientes factores: mala reducción, inestabilidad, índice punta ápice > (TAI) 25 mm, punta ápice modificado al calcar (TAICal) > 20 mm e índice de Parker. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte de pacientes con fracturas transtrocantéricas. De enero del 2009 a diciembre del 2014, se incluyeron 91 pacientes que cumplieron los criterios de selección. El seguimiento se hizo a 6 meses para valorar complicaciones. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el grupo 1 a 27 pacientes que presentaron falla y en el grupo 2 a 64 pacientes. Se obtuvieron en el grupo 1 valores de TAI 13.7 a 45 mm y en el grupo 2 valores de 11 a 31.2 mm. Se encontró que la posición central en lateral e inferior en AP no presentó fallo. Conclusiones: Se encontraron 27 pacientes con complicaciones (29%). La estabilidad inicial es un factor determinante, se recomienda fijación con CCM en los casos de fracturas inestables. Se confirmó la validez de un TAI > 25 mm como un predictor de fallo.

Abstract: Pertrochanteric fractures account approximately a half of the proximal femoral fractures. Incidence of these fractures is highest in women, age > 65 years and presents a mortality rate of 14 to 50%. Treatment goals include stable fixation, immediate mobilization and restore activities. Complications after treatment present in 17% and include: nonunion, cut out and varus displacement. Objective: Correlation between complications after surgical treatment and presence of instability, inadequate reduction, Tip Apex Index (TAI) > 25 mm, Tip Apex Index to calcar (TAIcal) > 20 mm and parker index. Material and methods: A case control study was conducted in patients with pertrochanteric fractures treated between January 2009 and December 2014, 91 patients were included and complications were measured up to 6 months after surgery. Results: 27 patients were included in group 1, which were the ones who presented complications. Values of TAI measured in this group were 13.7 to 45 mm, and were significantly higher than group 2. Position of the blade/screw central in the lateral view and inferior in the AP view didn´t present complications. Conclusions: We found 27 patients with complications in the follow up (29%). Initial reduction and stability is determinant to success. We recommend the use of proximal femoral nail in all unstable fractures. It is confirmed that TAI > 25 mm as a predictor of failure.

The Proximal Femoral Nail - A Minimal Invasive Treatment for the Stabilization of Pertrochanteric and Subtrochanteric Femoral Fractures.

This study reports the outcome in pertrochanteric and subtrochanteric femoral fractures in 25 patients treated by using PFN. Salvati and Wilson hip function scoring system and Kyle's criteria were used for follow up evaluation. At the end of 24 weeks follow up the Salvati and Wilson hip function was 32 (out of 40) in 88% of patients, the Kyle's criteria described the outcome as good or very good in 92% of patients and the level of function was similar to pre-injury level in 90% of patients. Distal locking difficulty was encountered in 3 cases. Difficulty in placement of neck screw was encountered in 4 cases. Secondary varus was noted in 3 cases and in 1 patient antirotational screw cut through was seen.However all fractures united well in all the patients.PFN was designed by AO/ASIF in 1996 for the treatment of peritrochanteric fractures.It combines the intrinsic advantages of the intramedullary nail and those of sliding screw is a valid and an important option in the treatment of pertrochanteric and subtrochanteric femoral fractures. It is a relatively easy procedure, a bio mechanically stable construct and a minimally invasive device; especially ideal in compromised elderly patients who are the majority population suffering from these type of fractures.With incorporation of single helical blade in place of two proximal screws in PFN, AO/ASIF has further enhanced the treatment modalities by devising PFNA (Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation).

Complications of Femoral Pertrochanteric Fractures Treated with Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN)

PURPOSE: We analyzed the complications of femoral pertrochanteric fractures treated with proximal femoral nail (PFN®) to reduce the its complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the complications among 198 patients who were treated with PFN® from June 2001 to August 2005 in our hospital. RESULTS: The complications were presented in 28 cases (14.1%). Cut-out of lag screw was in 1 case, cut-out of lag screw and antirotation screw were in 3 cases, cut-out of antirotation screw in 3 cases, of these femoral head fracture was in 1 case. Femoral neck fracture in 1 case, Osteonecrosis of femoral head in 1 case, cortical fracture during the insertion of distal interlocking screw in 1 case, breakage of drill bit intraoperatively in 1 case, fibrous union in 2 case, thigh skin irritation due to screw back-out in 3 cases, periprosthetic fractures in 2 cases, varus collapse more than 10 degrees in 4 cases, superficial and deep infections in 3 cases, breakage of nail in 1 case, varus collapse after PFN removal in 1 case, persistent thigh pain in 1 case. Of all these cases, 9 cases (4.5%) were required reoperation with general or spinal anesthesia. Complications related with screws or fracture reduction were 19 cases (9.6%) and, of these, 17 cases (89.5%) showed increased TAD (tip apex distance) or nonanatomical reduction. CONCLUSION: To reduce the complications of PFN®, we need to exact surgical technique and anatomical reduction and consider the modification of implant design to prevent of cut-out of screws.

Anatomical plate for the unstable pertrochanteric femoral fracture / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective]To analyze the clinical effect of the unstable pertrochanteric femoral fracture treated with anatomical plate.[Method]To prospectively compare anatomical plate with dynamic hip screw(DHS) in terms of treatment of the unstable pertrochanteric femoral fracture in elderly.Fifty-eight elderly patients with unstable pertrochanteric femoral fracture who were treated from June 2003 to May 2007 and followed up for 9-24 months were randomized into two treatment groups,ie,anatomical plate internal fixation(group I) and dynamic hip screw internal fixation(group II).Of all,32 patients were treated with anatomical plate internal fixation and 26 with DHS internal fixation.The treatment groups were comparable with regard to all demographic and injury variables.[Result]Patients treated with anatomical plate internal fixation had shorter operative times,fewer blood loss and blood transfusion,and higher Harris scores,there were significant differences in the two groups.The incidence rate of early postoperative complication was 9.38% in group I and 11.54% in group Ⅱ.The incidence rate of late postoperative complication was 9.38% in group Ⅰ and 30.78% in group Ⅱ.There were significant differences in late postoperative complication and no significant differences in early postoperative complication between the two groups.[Conclusion]The unstable pertrochanteric femoral fracture treated with anatomical plate could achieve excellent clinical results.