Complication rates after proximal femoral nailing: does level of training matter?

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedics and traumatology 2023-11, Vol.24 (1), p.56-56, Article 56
• Main Authors: Haslhofer, D. J., Stiftinger, J. M., Kraml, N., Dannbauer, F., Schmolmüller, C., Gotterbarm, T., Kwasny, O., Klasan, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Complication rate; Complications; Conservative Orthopedics; Femur; Fractures; Infections; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nailing; Original; Original Article; Orthogeriatrics; Orthopedics; Patients; Pertrochanteric fracture; Proximal femoral nailing; Resident training; Revision surgery; Revisions; Rheumatology; Sports Medicine; Statistical analysis; Surgeons; Surgery; Surgical Orthopedics; Training; Training level; Traumatic Surgery
• ISSN: 1590-9999; 1590-9921; 1590-9999
• DOI: 10.1186/s10195-023-00737-z

Background Surgical treatment of pertrochanteric fractures is one of the most performed surgeries in orthogeriatrics. Proximal femoral nailing, the most performed procedure, is often used as a training surgery for young residents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relevance of the resident’s training level to complication rates. Material and methods This study was a retrospective cohort study. Surgeons were divided into four groups according to their training level. Complications included infection, cut-out, and revision surgery. The study was performed at a level 1 trauma center. All patients who were treated with proximal femoral nailing surgery with a radiological follow-up of at least 3 months were included. Results Of the 955 patients extracted, a total of 564 patients met the inclusion criteria. Second-year residents had significantly higher cut-out rates ( p  = 0.012). Further analysis indicated a correlation between level of training and surgery duration ( p