Results of treatment of subtrochanteric femoral fractures with the AO/ASIF Long Trochanteric Fixation Nail (LTFN).

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This retrospective study reports on the clinical results of a group of 23 patients with subtrochanteric femoral fractures using the Long Trochanteric Fixation Nail (LTFN).

MATERIAL

Between January 2005 and January 2008, 23 patients (20 women, 3 men; average age: 64.8 years old) with subtrochanteric femoral fractures were treated surgically. According to the AO/ASIF Classification, the most frequent fracture type was an 32-A1. They were also classified regarding the Seinsheimer Classification, in which the commonest type was the IIB. Of the 23 fractures, 14 of them had been the result of an unexpected fall, 2 were the result of a high-energy trauma and 7 consisted of pathologic fractures.

METHODS

All the patients were treated using the LTFN device and they all received clinical and radiological follow-ups at least until their fractures were consolidated. The average surgery time, average decrease in haemoglobin in the first 24 hours post- surgery, average need for red blood cell transfusion, postoperative mortality at a 6th month follow-up, time to autonomous deambulation, most frequent destination at the time of discharge, average time for consolidation of the fracture and average follow-up time were reported. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were also recorded.

RESULTS

The average surgery time from cut to stitch was 97.45 minutes with the decrease in haemoglobin averaging 26.45 g/L and, on average, the need for red blood cell transfusion was 1.12 concentrates. In the first postoperative week, 57.1% of the total number patients were capable of deambulation. The time to hospital discharge was 12.9 days. After an average follow-up of 13.9 months, total weightbearing was achieved in the 64.7% of the patients. The average consolidation time was 21.6 weeks and none of the patients developed pseudoarthrosis. Technical failures were seen in 4.3% of the cases: 1 patient suffered a migration of the distal locking screw. There were no cases of deep infection, cut-out, bending/breaking of the implant, malrotation or fracture of the femoral shaft at the tip of the implant.

DISCUSSION

From a mechanical point of view the use of a long intramedullary nail in combination with a blade or a screw seems to be the most appropriate treatment for subtrochanteric fractures of the femur. Despite the improvement of implants and surgical techniques, failures due to complications are still considerable. The low distal shaft diameter of the LTFN, in combination with an extremely precise positioning of the blade in the middle of the femoral head, can prevent mechanical complications. Open reduction and cerclage cabling may be required so as to obtain a correct alignment of the fracture.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the LTFN is a safe and reliable intramedullary device for the treatment of subtrochanteric fractures of the femur. Deambulation within the first postoperative surgery is possible when positioned properly. Its implantation requires more surgical time than the standard nails.