[Results of stabilisation in pathologic fractures in the femoral shaft region by nailing (author's transl)].

The article reports on 11 patients with metastases in the femoral shaft. In 5 patients, a pathological fracture had occurred, whereas in 6 patients the femur, which was liable to fracture, was prophylactically stabilised by means of the femoral shaft nail. Eight of these patients were able to walk after the operation, whereas 4 patients died after an average period of 19 weeks following surgery of their primary diseases. The method employed in these cases was of a palliative nature, resulting in considerable relief from pain, improved ability to walk, and hence in an improvement of the quality of life of these patients.