Management of pathological subtrochanteric fractures of the femur by zickel nail

This study included 11 cases of pathological fractures of the subtrochanteric area of the femur [2 cases of impending fractures]. Our average age was about 68 years, 5 cases had closed zickel nailing while 6 cases had open nailing technique. All cases had biopsies taken before nailing. Methyl metha-acrylate bone cement was used to fill gaps in 2 cases with wide lesions. Radiation and/or chemotherapy were given postoperatively according to biopsy result. Cases were followed up for 2 years. We concluded from this study that, Zickel nail fixation proved to be a very reasonable method of fixation in these types of fractures, which helps to alleviate pain and to improve the life style of the patients