RESUMO
Objective To investigate the value of femoral neck fracture(FNF) typing by digital subtraction angiography(DSA) in prognostic prediction of the fracture healing. Methods From June 2005 to June 2008,45 patients were admitted to our hospital for treatment of single femoral neck fracture.They were 26 males and 19 females,aged from 26 to 60 years(average,45.4 years).Their fractures were all typed according to DSA results.Type Ⅰ ( 15 patients) were DSA pictures which showed 3 to 6 supporting band vascular images crossing the fracture line.Type Ⅱ(14 patients) were DSA pictures which showed one to 2 supporting band vascular images crossing the fracture line.Type Ⅲ(16 patients) were DSA pictures which showed no supporting band vascular images crossing the fracture line.All cases underwent close reduction and internal fixation with cannulated screws under C-arm fluoroscopy.The prognoses of all the patients were evaluated according to their symptoms and imaging examinations in terms of avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH) and fracture healing. Results All the patients obtained an average follow-up of 36.7 months (from 24 to 60 months).In patients of DSA type Ⅰ,the ANFH rate and nonunion rate were respectively 0 and 13.3％ (2/15).In patients of DSA type Ⅱ,the ANFH rate and nonunion rate were respectively 7.1％ (1/14) and7.1％(1/14).In patients of DSA type Ⅲ,the ANFH rate and nonunion rate were respectively 100％ (16/16) and 0.The ANFH rate following FNF treatment was negatively related to age and the vascular number showed by DSA.The nonunion ratewas positively related to age but not significantly associated with the vascular number showed by DSA. Conclusion DSA has a significant value in predicting the prognosis for patients with femoral neck fracture.