Distal Locking of Proximal Femoral Nails in Intertrochanteric Fractures: A Comparison of Taloned and Static Locking Systems

Abstract

Background: The necessity of distal locking in proximal femoral nails (PFNs) used in intertrochanteric fracture surgery is still controversial. However, the newly designed talon distalfix PFN differs from other PFN systems with its taloned distal locking (TDL) mechanism. Aim: To compare the radiologic and functional results of this newly designed TDL system and the static distal locking (SDL) system. Methods: Between January 2018 and December 2021, 142 patients over the age of 65 who underwent PFN surgery for intertrochanteric fractures in our department and underwent SDL or TDL as the distal locking mechanism were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups as SDL and TDL according to the type of distal locking applied. Demographic variables and intraoperative data (operative time, intraoperative bleeding amount, and fluoroscopy time) were recorded. Harris hip score and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score results were recorded to evaluate postoperative functional outcomes. Union time and all postoperative complications were recorded. Results: Of a total of 142 patients with a mean age of 77.51 ± 11.67 years, 79 underwent SDL and 63 underwent TDL. Operative time, intraoperative bleeding amount, and fluoroscopy time were significantly reduced in patients who underwent TDL compared to those who underwent SDL. The union times were found to be significantly shorter in TDL patients. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of postoperative Harris hip score and VAS score results and complications. Conclusions: This clinical study confirms that TDL is as effective and safe as SDL. In addition, TDL has been shown to have advantages over SDL with shorter operative time, less bleeding amount, and less fluoroscopy time.