Dynamic hip screw versus proximal femoral nail for treatment of trochanteric hip fractures: an outcome analyses with a minimum 2 years of follow-up

Abstract

The goal of this study is to compare the clinical and radiographical results of Dynamic hip screw (DHS) and Proximal femoral nail (PFN) for the treatment of trochanteric hip fractures. One hundred and eighty-one patients (89 male and 92 female, mean age, 77.1 years) surgically treated for trochanteric fractures were divided into two groups. Group 1: 86 hips treated with DHS and group 2: 98 hips treated with PFN. The outcome for each group was analyzed, and total operative time, time to union, complications (early and late), and mortality were recorded. The results were statistically compared. Mean follow-up was 26.8 months. The mean duration of surgery was 85.2 min for group 1 and 55.3 min for group 2. The mean time to union for group 1 was 2.09 months and 1.69 months for group 2. Early and late complication rates between treatment groups revealed no statistically significant differences. Total duration of surgery was significantly lower for PFN than it was for DHS. A comparison of time to union and overall mortality demonstrated no statistically significant differences. We detected no differences between the two treatment groups in regard to early versus late complications, time to union, and overall mortality; however, with its shorter operative period, PFN is a good alternative to the DHS. For this reason, we believed that it might be the implant of choice for the treatment of trochanteric fractures by surgeons who have an experience in interlocked femoral nailing systems.