A comparative study of trochanteric fractures treated with the Gamma nail or the proximal femoral nail

The aim of the present paper is to compare the results obtained using two osteosynthesis systems developed for the surgical treatment of fractures of the trochanteric region of the femur, based on the principles of closed intramedullary nailing: the Gamma nail and the proximal femoral nail (PFN). A...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International orthopaedics 2002, Vol.26 (6), p.365-369
Main Authors: HERRERA, A, DOMINGO, L. J, CALVO, A, MARTINEZ, A, CUENCA, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Bone Nails
Female
Femur - diagnostic imaging
Femur - surgery
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary - instrumentation
Hip Fractures - diagnostic imaging
Hip Fractures - surgery
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Original Paper
Orthopedic surgery
Postoperative Complications
Prospective Studies
Radiography
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:The aim of the present paper is to compare the results obtained using two osteosynthesis systems developed for the surgical treatment of fractures of the trochanteric region of the femur, based on the principles of closed intramedullary nailing: the Gamma nail and the proximal femoral nail (PFN). A prospective study is presented of 125 trochanteric fractures of the femur treated with PFN and 125 treated with the Gamma nail in our service between the years 1997 and 2000, with the prerequisite of a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Fractures were classified according to the AO system, the most commonly recorded subtype encountered being the A2. Clinical and radiographic controls were performed upon admission and in the post-operative follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, the corresponding assessment protocol being completed on each occasion. Of the 250 patients, 179 were women and the rest men. The average age was 78.9 years. Both systems enabled early mobilisation and walking in most of our patients. There were no significant differences in the use of either nail in terms of the recovery of previous functional capacity, nor in terms of the time required for fracture healing (12 weeks on average). With regard to the more significant technical complications recorded, shaft fractures and the cutting-out phenomenon were more common with the use of the Gamma nail, while secondary varus occurred at a greater rate when using the PFN.
ISSN:0341-2695
1432-5195
DOI:10.1007/s00264-002-0389-6