Gamma 3 Long Nail for Complex Sub-Trochanteric Fractures: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Cephalomedullary nailing is considered the treatment of choice for trochanteric and subtrochanteric femoral fractures. The aim of this study was to report postoperative outcomes of one of the widely used trochanteric nail device, the Gamma 3 long nail. We retrospectively assessed 405 patients treated with Gamma 3 long nail in a single Level One Trauma Centre between 2010 and 2018. We finally included 261 ambulant patients with 65 years or older, a lowenergy trauma and a closed trochanteric or subtrochanteric femoral fracture. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Hip Fracture Functional Recovery Score (FRS), while radiological complications and failures were assessed on postoperative x-rays. More than two-thirds of patients had completed fracture consolidation within 4 months after surgery. Immediate full weight bearing was allowed postoperatively in 64.0% of patients. We reported a mortality of 24.5% at one year postoperatively. The leading clinical postoperative complication was anemia (69.3%), followed by deep venous thrombosis (7.7%). Coxa vara was observed in 73 patients (28%), followed by malreduction in flexion-external rotation of the proximal femoral fragment (26.8%). No case of lag screw cutout was reported. Our study indicated that last generation of Long Gamma nail is a reliable implant for trochanteric and subtrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly patients, leading to high rate of bone union and reduced incidence of related complications. An excellent fracture reduction and prevention of postoperative varus malalignment are the main factors that can avoid the major postoperative complications and failures after Gamma 3 long nailing.