Surgical management of pertrochanteric fractures with proximal lateral femur locking compression plate

Abstract

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Pertrochanteric femoral fractures are of intense interest globally. Pertrochanteric fracture is a one of the most serious cause of mortality and morbidity in elderly people. The number of such admissions is on a raise because of increasing life span, sedentary habits and increased road traffic accidents. Pertrochanteric region is a high stress area. Hence delayed union, implant failures, varus collapse and non-union are common complications. Choice of implant was also a tough decision for surgeons in this area. Hence this study was intended to evaluate the functional outcome of proximal femur fractures treated with proximal femur locking compression plate (PFLCP) in terms of union of fracture, patient compliance and complications.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This prospective study was conducted at the department of orthopaedics, Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore from December 2014 to June 2016. The complete data was collected from all the patients by taking history of illness and by doing detailed clinical examination and relevant investigations. Finally after the diagnosis, the patients were selected for the study depending on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Postoperatively all the cases were followed for the minimum period of 6 months to maximum period of 1 year.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study 22 patients were involved. There were 14 males and 8 females, with a mean age of 46 years. 19 cases were admitted due to slip and fall and with slight predominance of right side. Mean duration of hospital stay was 20 days and mean time of full weight bearing is 10 weeks. Out of 22 cases 2 cases lost follow up before first follow up time of 6 weeks. Out of 20, remaining cases 8 were type 3 and 12 were type 4. Functional results were graded by Harris hip scoring system. Good to excellent results were seen in 87% cases of type 3 fractures and 83% cases in type 4 fractures.</p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Treatment with a PFLCP can provide good-to-excellent healing for proximal femur fractures, with a limited occurrence of complications especially for severe comminuted fracture and osteoporosis.