Comparison of cannulated compression screws and intramedullary nails in fixation for aged patients with intertrochanteric hip fractures / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore a reasonable treatment for intertrochanteric hip fractures in the aged patients by comparing the fixation effects of cannulated compression screws and intramedullary fixation nails. Methods From January 1998 to December 2004, in our department 123 old patients with intertrochanteric hip fracture were fixed with cannulated compression screws or intramedullary nails. They were followed up and their complete clinic data kept. According to the Evans classification, of the 51 patients who received treatment with cannulated compression screws for their anterograde intertrochanteric hip fracture, 14 were type Ⅰ , 24 type Ⅱ , 10 type Ⅲ and three type Ⅳ , while of the 72 patients who received treatment with intramedullary nailing, 10 were type Ⅰ , 12 type Ⅱ , 28 type Ⅲ , 14 type Ⅵ , and eight retrograde intertrochanteric hip fractures. A retrospective comparison was made between the old patients treated with the two different fixation devices in terms of operative time, blood loss, transfusion, average hospitalization time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, functional recovery one year postoperatively and treatment expenses. Results The differences between the two groups in operative time, blood loss, transfusion, treatment expenses were of statistical significance (P0.05). Conclusions Cannulated compression screws should be chosen for old patients with anterograde intertrochanteric hip fractures of Evans types Ⅰ & Ⅱ or of Evans types Ⅲ & Ⅳ who are at a high risk, in a poor health or severely osteoporotic state. For patients with unstable Evans types Ⅲ & Ⅳ or with retrograde intertrochanteric hip fractures, intramedullary nails are suitable.