RESUMO
Commonly used internal devices to fix the stable and unstable intertrochanteric fractures are fixed nail plate (Jewett nail, Holt nail), sliding nail plate (compression hip screw) and intramedullary device (Ender, Harris nail). The choice of internal device is influenced by the general coditions of patients, the pattern of fracture and the personal preference of surgeon. There are many reports that sliding nail plate appears to give better result than fixed nail plate because the latter device leads to high failure rate. Twenty nine unstable intertrochanteric fractures treated with Jewett nail plate (group I) and sliding compression hip screw (group II) between 1981 and 1988 were reviewed after minimal twelve months follow up. Group I comprised of fourteen cases, Group II, of fifteen. There were seventeen males and twelve females. The ages ranged from thirty-two to seventy-eight years, the average age being 57.8 years. Eighteen cases were caused by slip down; eight, traffic accident; and three, fall down. The average operation time was 124 minutes in group I and 148 minutes in group II. The average amout of blood loss was 1024cc in group I and 1040cc in group II. The average time to union was 13 weeks in group I and 12.9 weeks in group II. In Jewett nail plate fixed group, there were three complication; one coxa vara, and superior migration of nail, and one subcapital fracture and one superficial wound infection. In sliding compression hip screw group, one was complicated with coxa vara. Above results suggest that the use of Jewett nail plate in unstable intertrochanteric fracture could be got good results with method using compression hip screw.