Treatment of intertrochanteric femoral fractures with external fixator

Abstract

Twenty-eight patients were treated between 1993-1996 for their intertrochanteric femoral fractures with external fixator. Seventeen of the patients were male, 11 female. 13 right and 15 left hips were broken. The average age of the patients was 63.9 years (range, 21 to 90). The fractures were the result of traffic accidents in 6 and a fall in 22 cases. Patients with an Evans type-1 fracture had an Orthofix type unilateral external fixator for their treatment. The average follow-up was 18.6 months (range, 7 to 31). There was no early postoperative mortality but there were 5 mortalities during the follow-up period. According to Foster criteria, functionally, 11 patients were good (39.2%) and 12 very good (42.8%). Anatomically 13 patients were good (46.4%) and 10 very good (35.7%), there was satisfactory 82.1% results overall. Pin tract infection was seen in 5 patients (17.8%). As a result; external fixator use in intertrochanteric fractures is less traumatic to the patient, application is easy and can be done under local anesthesia and allows early mobilization. Implant removal is easy, therefore we think that external fixation is a good alternative in old people with poor health conditions.