Comparison of two methods of locating proximal femoral nail anti-rotation in the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures.

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy of three-point locating versus routine locating techniques for implanting helical blades for proximal femoral nail anti-rotation-II in the treatment of trochanteric fractures. METHODS: From January 2010 to June 2013, 90 patients with intertrochanteric fractures were surgically treated, including 48 males and 42 females with an average age of 70.5 ± 7.2 years. According to the AO classification, there were 45 cases of A2.1, 35 cases of A2.2, and 10 cases of A2.3. Based on locating techniques, the 90 patients were divided into two groups: the three-point group and the routine group, with 45 patients in each group. All operations were performed by the same group of surgeons using proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA); the helical blade was inserted into the femoral neck with the three-point locating technique or by the usual method according to treatment group. Several figures including total operation time, elapsed time for implanting the helical blade, intraoperative blood loss, X-ray exposure time, and tip-apex distance (TAD) were measured and compared. RESULTS: The three-point group was significantly superior as compared to the routine group in terms of total operation time [(59.34 ± 9.42) min vs (67.61 ± 12.63) min, P < 0.01], elapsed time for implanting the helical blade [(4.58 ± 1.25) min vs (7.82 ± 2.19) min, P < 0.01], intraoperative blood loss [(92.78 ± 34.09) ml vs (154.01 ± 39.10) ml, P < 0.01], X-ray exposure time [(8.84 ± 1.45) vs (14.62 ± 2.91), P < 0.01], and tip-apex distance [(16.78 ± 1.55) mm vs (21.91 ± 3.01) mm, P < 0.01]. Among the 90 patients, 80 were followed up for an average time of 12 months (10-15 months), including 42 patients who were part of three-point group and 38 patients who were part of the routine group. No spiral blade cut was found on the femoral head in any patient in the three-point group, whereas it occurred in 2 patients in the routine group 1 month after surgery. However, there was no significant difference in the Harris score between the two groups 6 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: The three-point locating method is faster and more accurate than the routine locating method.

The elderly recognizing themselves as vulnerable to falls in the concreteness of the femoral fracture / El anciano reconociéndose vulnerable a caídas en la realidad de la fractura femoral / Idoso reconhecendo-se vulnerável a quedas na concretude da fratura do fêmur

ABSTRACT Objectives: understand the experience of the elderly with falls followed by femoral fracture and elaborate theoretical model of this process of lived experience. Method: qualitative research with theoretical saturation through analysis of the ninth nondirected interview of elderly who underwent such experience. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to Grounded Theory. Results: three categories emerged (sub-processes): evaluating signs and symptoms of fracture after the fall; feeling sad and insecure with the new condition; and finding oneself susceptible to fractures. From realignment of these categories (sub-processes) we could abstract the central category (process), recognizing oneself as vulnerable to falls in the concreteness of the fracture. Conclusion: the theoretical model considering the Symbolic Interactionism signals the implementation of continued program for fall prevention, with teaching strategies that encourage the elderly to reflect on the concreteness of contexts in which there is risk of occurring injury to their health.

RESUMEN: Objetivos conocer la experiencia de ancianos con caídas seguidas por las fracturas del fémur y elaborar un modelo teórico de la experiencia de este proceso. Método: investigación cualitativa con la saturación teórica, mediante el análisis de la novena entrevista no directiva de ancianos que experimentaron esta experiencia. Las entrevistas fueron audio grabadas, transcritas y analizadas según la Teoría Fundamentada en los Datos. Resultados: surgieron tres categorías (sub): la evaluación de los signos y síntomas de la fractura después de la caída; sentirse triste e inseguro con la nueva condición; y descubrirse susceptible a las fracturas. Después de la realineación de estas categorías (subproceso), fue posible abstraer la categoría central (proceso), reconociéndose vulnerable a caídas en la realidad de la fractura. Conclusión: el modelo teórico a la luz de la interacción simbólica señala la aplicación del programa continuo de prevención de caídas, con estrategias de enseñanza que fomentan los ancianos a reflexionar sobre los contextos concretos en los que existe un riesgo de daño a su salud.

RESUMO Objetivos: compreender a experiência de idosos com quedas seguidas de fraturas do fêmur e elaborar modelo teórico desse processo de vivência. Método: pesquisa qualitativa com saturação teórica mediante análise da nona entrevista não diretiva de idosos que vivenciaram tal experiência. As entrevistas foram audiogravadas, transcritas e analisadas segundo a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados. Resultados: emergiram três categorias (subprocessos): avaliando sinais e sintomas de fratura após a queda; sentindo-se triste e inseguro com a nova condição; e descobrindo-se suscetível a fraturas. Do realinhamento dessas categorias (subprocessos), foi possível abstrair a categoria central (processo), reconhecendo-se vulnerável a quedas na concretude da fratura. Conclusão: o modelo teórico à luz do Interacionismo Simbólico sinaliza a implementação de programa continuado de prevenção de quedas, com estratégias de ensino que estimulem o idoso a refletir sobre a concretude de contextos nos quais haja risco de ocorrências do agravo à sua saúde.