Comparing the outcomes of intertrochanteric fractures treated with DHS vs PFLCP

Abstract

Background: For trochanteric fractures many implants have been used successfully like sliding hip screws, cephalomedullary nails, angular blade plates, and rarely by primary hip arthroplasty. The Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) is one of the most widely used implant for stabilization of intertrochanteric fractures. The Proximal Femoral Locking Compression Plate (PFLCP) is a relatively newly introduced implant for trochanter fractures, and there is no sufficient literature comparing DHS and PFLCP. Objective: (1) Compare the operative differences, radiological and clinical outcomes between the trochanter fractures treated by DHS with those treated by PFLCP. Methods: We studied 52 patients admitted and followed up at MGMCH. Out of which 26 patients were treated with DHS, and 26 patients with PFLCP. Results: The mean operative time and average intra-operative blood loss was more in the PFLCP group when compared with DHS group and it was found to be statistically significant (p< 0.05). DHS group had marginally better functional results than PFLCP group. There was no difference in the radiological outcome between two groups. Conclusions: In trochanteric fractures of femur, both PFLCP and DHS provide excellent results. Functional outcome is more influenced by quality of fracture reduction, rather than the type of implant used.