EFFECTS OF LENGTH OF PROXIMAL FEMORAL NAIL ON INTRAOPERATIVE AND POST-OPERATIVE OUTCOMES OF INTERTROCHANTERIC FRACTURES

Abstract

Background: Trochanteric femoral fractures are often seen in patients aged they can be caused by high-energy or low energy trauma or may be pathological. Particularly in the elderly, hip fractures are a major cause of increased mortality and morbidity. Because of the decreased physical capacity, concomitant systemic diseases, and increased vulnerability to environmental dangers, even low-energy trauma can cause unstable femoral trochanteric fractures in this age group. Compare the functional outcome of the short proximal femoral nail with a long proximal femoral nail in intertrochanteric fractures.

Methods: This randomized control trial was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics, Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Science, Surat.

Results: The mean duration of surgery in the long PFN group was 79.84 +7.09 minutes and the short PFN group was 50.72 +7.96 minutes. The two-tailed P value<0.001this difference is considered to be extremely statistically significant. The mean intra operative blood loss in the long PFN group was 330.8+ 31.74 ml and the short PFN group was 170 + 23.10 ml. The two-tailed P value < 0.001, this difference is considered to be statistically significant. The number of cases with limb shortening were more in the Short PFN group than the patients in whom long PFN was use.

Conclusion: Both the long and short intramedullary nails are the optional internal fixation choices for femoral intertrochanteric fracture. But the long nail could avoided the refracture of femur and reduced postoperative hip pain whereas the short nail has the advantage of reduced surgical time, blood loss and fluoroscopic time.