Pugh's nail fixation versus Thompson's prosthesis for displaced subcapital fractures of the femur.

A retrospective study of 100 fresh displaced subcapital fractures of the femoral neck is reported, comparing the results of treating 50 by primary Thompson's prostheses with 50 of those treated by internal fixation with Pugh's nail and plate. Up to 3 months, the mortality following Thompson's prosthesis was higher than that following internal fixation but was comparable at 1 year. In general the results were comparable at 1 year but the failure rate in that time was higher following internal fixation, leading to a much higher number of second operations.