[Functional results and complications of the use of the proximal femoral nail in the treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures].

INTRODUCTION

Cephalomedullary nails are used for the treatment of hip fractures; however, there are few studies that allow identifying data on the complications of the use of these devices and the results in terms of restoration of the functionality of the patient.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of patients with femur fracture was conducted during the period from January 2008 to December 2012. Data on demographic and clinical variables were collected. Telephone follow-up was performed up to six postoperative months. A descriptive analysis was done using absolute and relative frequency measurements. Quantitative variables are presented with averages and standard deviation or median and interquartile range, according to the normality of the data.

RESULTS

82.9% of the patients managed to walk with or without help within six months after surgery; anemia (16.2%), urinary tract infection (9.7%), pneumonia (9.5%) and myocardial infarction (0.7%) were the main complications. Of the patients included, 57.1% had an ASA level 3; a mortality rate of 16% was identified.

DISCUSSION

Cephalomedullary nails show positive results regarding recovery of functional mobility and a low prevalence of complications, with similar mortality to that reported in the literature at 6 months of follow up.