ABSTRACT
AIM: The paper retrospectively evaluates a set of patients with ipsilateral fractures of the proximal femur and shaft treated with PFN-long. MATERIAL: 19 patients (14 males and 5 females), aged 48 in average, were treated from 1998-2003. The fractures included 2 types: combined intraarticular femoral neck and shaft fractures: 8 cases, and 11 cases of complex extraarticular proximal femoral fractures and its shaft. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients followed up for at least 12 months was evaluated according to the Sanders and Regazzoni scoring scale. Bone union resulted in all patients. This was accomplished within 6 months in 10 patients (59 %), 9 months in 16 patients (94 %), and one patient healed within 12 months. Excellent results were achieved in 59 %, good results in 35 % and a satisfactory result in 6 %. We have recorded 3 cases of postoperative complications (16 %). These complications were all due to imperfect reduction. Early complications included a wound haematoma with necessary operative revision. Late complications, such as delayed healing, were resolved by reoperation in 1 case. CONCLUSION: Long PFN is a quality implant which extends our options in the treatment of ipsilateral hip and femoral shaft fractures. It is one of the most beneficial implants in the category of reconstruction nails. The availability of only 3 nail lengths and 1 diameter presents a certain drawback.
