Salvage of failed internal fixation for intertrochanteric hip fractures

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the secondary internal fixation plus bone grafting for salvage of failed internal fixation for intertrochanteric hip fractures. Methods Between January 2001 and March 2008, 25 patients with intertrochanteric fractures who had suffered from failed initial internal fixation were treated with secondary open reduction and internal fixation and bone auto grafting. They were 15 men and 10 women, with a mean age of 50 (17 to 72) years. The mean interval between the initial operation and the revision was 12 (4 to 27) months. The failure of original internal implants involved the dynamic hip screw (DHS) in 12 patients, the dynamic condylar screw (DCS) in 3, the angular blade plate (ABP) in 1, the cephalomedullary nail in 3 and the cannulated screw in 6. The replacement of internal implants included PFN in 12 eases, DCS in 7, DHS in 4 and ABP (95°) in 2. Results The mean follow-up was 24 (6 to 84) months. The revisions were uneventful. Of the 25 nonunions, 24 healed (96.0%). The postoperative mean hip rating (Harris score) for the hip joint was 87(35 to 100) points. The X-ray films at the last follow-up revealed the coLlodiaphyseal angle averaged 120° ( 110° to 140°). No avascular necrosis of the femoral head or hip degeneration was found. Conclusion In properly selected patients, secondary internal fixation with bone grafting for failed open reduction and internal fixation of intertrochanteric hip fractures can provide a high rate of union and good clinical results with a low rate of complications. Key words: Hip fractures; Fractures, ununited; Fractures fixation, internal