The Treatment of Subtrochanteric Fracture with Cephallomedually Nail: Minimal Incision and Lowman Clamp Assisted Reduction

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiographic results of patients with subtrochanteric femoral fracture using minimal incision and cephalomedullary nail technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 54 patients, 54 cases of hip, recruited among patients who underwent minimal incision and Cephalomedullary nail from September 2005 to August 2008 and were available for 1-year or longer follow up. The gender ratio was 37 males and 17 females, and the mean age at the time of surgery was 57.4 years (range; 16~81 years). According to injury mechanism, traffic accident was 29 cases, fall down form high height was 18 cases, slip down was 7 cases. In classification by Seinsheimer, type II was 23 cases (m/c), type III was 18 cases, type IV was 13 cases. Average follow up period was 14 months (12~18). Radiographic evaluation was performed for time taking union, mal-union and complication. RESULTS: 53 of the 54 cases united. 39 of 54 reductions were anatomic. 19 fractures had a monir varus deformity of proximal fragment (between 2degrees and 5degrees). There was no varus deformity of more than 5degrees. 1 case that had been treated with PFN had nail breakage without trauma. There were no other complications. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of subtrochanteric fractures with minimal incision and Cephalomedullary nail technique can reslut in excellent reduction without complications including inflammation & malunion. Careful attention to detail for using Lowman clamp is demanding to decrease soft tissue injury.