The Gamma nail. A preliminary note.

The Gamma nail is a new device used in the treatment of pertrochanteric fractures in the elderly in which the principles of locked intramedullary nailing are applied. It is constituted by an intramedullary nail crossed in the proximal segment by a cervico-cephalic screw, by which compression of the fracture segments may be obtained. It is furthermore possible to obtain distal locking by means of two screws, such as for Grosse-Kempf nailing. It constitutes an alternative to Ender nailing, screw-plate, and nail-plate. Our experience with 31 cases did not reveal any differences as compared to what occurs with Ender nailing with regard to surgical stress. Instead, a shorter amount of time seems to be required for functional recovery, as the stability of the assembly allows for early weight-bearing.