[Surgical treatment of unstable trochanteric fractures of the femur. III. Comparative studies of the tensile strength of osteosynthesis in trochanteric fractures of the femur using angular and intramedullary Y nails].

Here is shown a comparison of endurance in different types of connected trochanteric fractures by the use of angular and intramedullary Y nails. Studies were made on 24 isolated femora, upon which an osteotomy was performed so as to experimentally reconstruct trochanteric fractures of the II, III and IV degree. Bone fragments were connected by the use of angular or intramedullary Y nails. Such connected bones underwent the gradual increase of weight in order to test the endurance of the connections applied. It was established that the angular nail stabilizes fragments in fractures of the II degree, but in fractures of the III degree it can only serve as a bone suture. On the other hand it is of no use in connected fractures of the IV degree. The intramedullary Y nail stabilizes bone fragments well in fractures of the II and III degree, as well as in fractures of the IV degree. The connection of trochanteric fractures of the II degree by use of the intramedullary Y nail is more beneficial than connection by use of the angular nail due an approximately doubled endurance in connections of this kind.