Lateral Positioning for Proximal Femoral Nailing of the Intertrochanteric Fracture: Surgical Technique

ABSTRACT

In the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures, most of intramedullary nailings are performed on a fracture table in supine position. In supine position, however, soft tissue mass of the patients and drapes make it difficult to access to the piriformis fossa and to straighten the trajectory of reamer and nail insertion. To resolve these problems, we have treated twenty intertrochanteric fractures in lateral position on the general operation table with IM nail. Adjustment of the position of lag screw in femoral head was done with the technique that overlaps the shadows of the femoral head, nail and targeting guide in the lateral view. Because the entire injured limb can be moved readily, it was easy to reduce fracture and to convert to open procedure. In cases likely that the fracture table is unavailable in which patients are obese, have short stature or are amputated, and that open procedure is strongly likelihood, lateral position will be helpful technique in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures with IM nail.