The long gamma nail in the treatment of 329 subtrochanteric fractures with major extension into the femoral shaft

• Published in: The European journal of surgery Vol. 166; no. 3; pp. 240 - 246
• Main Authors: van Doorn, Ron, Stapert, Jouwert W. J. L.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: UK Taylor & Francis, Ltd 01.03.2000; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Equipment Failure; Female; Femoral Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Femoral Fractures - surgery; Follow-Up Studies; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary - instrumentation; Fracture Healing - physiology; Humans; Injuries of the limb. Injuries of the spine; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Orthopedic surgery; Postoperative Complications - diagnostic imaging; Radiography; Reoperation; Retrospective Studies; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Netherlands; Europe; Human; Femur; Orthopedic surgery; Treatment; Surgery; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Intramedullary nailing; Bone; Technique; Trauma; Subtrochanteric fracture
• ISSN: 1102-4151; 1741-9271
• DOI: 10.1080/110241500750009357

Objective: To study the outcome of treating extensive proximal femoral fractures with the long Gamma nail. Design: Retrospective study, with a minimum follow‐up of a year. Setting: 24 hospitals throughout The Netherlands. Subjects: 329 patients with primary proximal femoral fractures. Main outcome measures: Functional results and complications. Results: 19 patients died in hospital and 6 were lost to follow‐up. Of the remaining 304 who were fully documented, 241 (80%) became fully mobile, 59 (19%) moderately mobile, and 4 remained bedridden. 264 patients had no pain, 38 had moderate pain and used oral painkillers, and 2 had severe pain that was difficult to treat. Major technical complications occurred in 17 patients: alignment and locking gave rise to most problems, 4 patients developed deep infections, and 7 patients needed additional measures before the fracture was solid. Conclusions: The long Gamma nail in the treatment of extensive proximal femoral fractures gave good functional results with acceptable rates of complications and union problems. Copyright © 2000 Taylor and Francis Ltd.