[The connecting osteosynthesis and its problems in unstable pertrochanteric fractures of the femur (author's transl)].

In unstable pertrochanteric fractures of the femur a high bending strain and much load lies on the medial part of the bone. The connecting osteosynthesis takes off this load and immediately guarantees a high stability. Clinical experiences with 44 cases of connecting osteosynthesis - among them 35 per-and subtrochanteric fractures of the femur-show, that in 11 cases complications due to the fractures occurred (breaking of the implant, pseudarthrosis etc.) These complications are probably due to a delayed healing caused by bone cement penetrating into the area of the fracture. It is recommended to use an autologous cancellous bone graft. Indications for the compound osteosynthesis are only unstable pertrochanteric fractures in old patients in poor general condition and a short life-expectancy, and fractures in patients with diffuse metastases.