Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation Fixation Research Articles

Nine-year survival after intertrochanteric fracture in elderly with chronic kidney disease

The outcome of this study was to identify 9-year survivors of intertrochanteric fracture at each stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to investigate the risk factors associated with mortality following surgery with proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA). 443 elderly intertrochanteric fractures underwent PFNA fixation were recruited. Mortality rate was identified until 9 years. We compared the survival time of hip fracture in each stage of CKD. A regression analysis was used to determine the association between risk factors and one-year mortality. The overall median survival time was 7.1 years. The Kaplan–Meier curve was significantly different in each CKD stage especially in CKD5. In addition, the incidence rate of mortality was highest in CKD 5 (17.4%) and the median survival time in CKD 5 was 3.3 years. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that heart disease, operative time > 60 min, presence of pulmonary embolism, and poor to fair Harris hip score were significantly increased mortality. CKD stage 5 is associated with the highest mortality rate and the shortest median time of survival during the 9-year follow up. Patients who have high risk should focus on long-term care planning, including the counseling for their healthcare providers and families.

Comparison of effectiveness of long and short proximal femoral nail anti-rotation in treatment of type A2.3 intertrochanteric fracture of femur

To compare the effectiveness of long and short proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) in the treatment of type A2.3 intertrochanteric fracture of femur (IFF). The clinical data of 54 patients with type A2.3 IFF admitted between January 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the length of PFNA nail used in the operation, they were divided into long nail group (PFNA nail length>240 mm, 24 cases) and short nail group (PFNA nail length≤240 mm, 30 cases). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, fracture side, body mass index, and time from fracture to operation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, intraoperative reduction quality score, fracture healing, and complications of the two groups were recorded and compared. Harris score was used to evaluate the hip function of patients at 1 year after operation. According to the relationship between the fracture line of type A2.3 IFF and the lesser trochanter, the two groups of patients were divided into type Ⅰ(the fracture line extends to the level of the lesser trochanter), type Ⅱ(the fracture line extends to less than 2 cm below the lesser trochanter), and type Ⅲ (the fracture line extends to more than 2 cm below the lesser trochanter), and the postoperative stability and internal fixator loosening of each subtype were evaluated. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency in short nail group were significantly less than those in long nail group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the intraoperative reduction quality score between the two groups ( P>0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 12-18 months, with an average of 13.5 months. The postoperative stability score of short nail group was significantly lower than that of long nail group ( P<0.05). The Harris score in the long nail group was significantly higher than that in the short nail group at 1 year after operation ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in Harris score grading between the two groups ( P>0.05). Complications occurred in 3 cases of the long nail group (including 1 case of coxa varus caused by external nail entry point and 2 cases of loose internal fixator), and 7 cases of the short nail group (including 1 case of coxa varus caused by external nail entry point and 6 cases of loose internal fixator). Neither group had any anterior femoral arch damage, there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). The number of type Ⅲ patients was relatively small and not included in the statistics; there was no significant difference in the postoperative stability score and the incidence of internal fixator loosening between the long and short nail groups in type Ⅰ patients ( P>0.05). In type Ⅱ patients, the postoperative stability score and the incidence of internal fixation loosening in the long nail group were significantly better than those in the short nail group ( P<0.05). Long PFNA fixation for type A2.3 IFF has longer operation time and more intraoperative blood loss, but the overall stability of fracture is better after operation. For type A2.3 IFF with fracture line extending to less than 2 cm below the lesser trochanter, long PFNA is used for fixation, although the surgical trauma is large, but the postoperative stability is better than that of short PFNA; for type A2.3 IFF with fracture line extending to the lesser trochanter, there is no significant difference in postoperative stability between long and short PFNAs.

Extending the intermedullary nail will not reduce the potential risk of femoral head varus in PFNA patients biomechanically: a clinical review and corresponding numerical simulation

Femoral head varus is an important complication in intertrochanteric fracture patients treated with proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) fixation. Theoretically, extending the length of the intramedullary nail could optimize fixation stability by lengthening the force arm. However, whether extending the nail length can optimize patient prognosis is unclear. In this study, a review of imaging data from intertrochanteric fracture patients with PFNA fixation was performed, and the length of the intramedullary nail in the femoral trunk and the distance between the lesser trochanter and the distal locking screw were measured. The femoral neck varus status was judged at the 6-month follow-up. The correlation coefficients between nail length and femoral neck varus angle were computed, and linear regression analysis was used to determine whether a change in nail length was an independent risk factor for femoral neck varus. Moreover, the biomechanical effects of different nail lengths on PFNA fixation stability and local stress distribution have also been verified by numerical mechanical simulations. Clinical review revealed that changes in nail length were not significantly correlated with femoral head varus and were also not an independent risk factor for this complication. In addition, only slight biomechanical changes can be observed in the numerical simulation results. Therefore, commonly used intramedullary nails should be able to meet the needs of PFNA-fixed patients, and additional procedures for longer nail insertion may be unnecessary.

Impact of blade direction on postoperative femoral head varus in PFNA fixed patients: a clinical review and biomechanical research.

Intertrochanteric femur fracture is a common type of osteoporotic fracture in elderly patients, and postoperative femoral head varus following proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) fixation is a crucial factor contributing to the deterioration of clinical outcomes. The cross-angle between the implant and bone might influence fixation stability. Although there is a wide range of adjustment in the direction of anti-rotation blades within the femoral neck, the impact of this direct variation on the risk of femoral head varus and its biomechanical mechanisms remain unexplored. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data from 69 patients with PFNA fixation in our institution. We judge the direction of blade on the femoral neck in on the immediate postoperative lateral X-rays or intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopy, investigating its influence on the early postoperative risk of femoral head varus. p < 0.05 indicates significant results in both correlation and regression analyses. Simultaneously, a three-dimensional finite element model was constructed based on the Syn-Bone standard proximal femur outline, exploring the biomechanical mechanisms of the femoral neck-anti-rotation blade direction variation on the risk of this complication. The results indicated that ventral direction insertion of the anti-rotation blade is an independent risk factor for increased femoral head varus. Complementary biomechanical studies further confirmed that ventral angulation leads to loss of fixation stability and a decrease in fixation failure strength. Therefore, based on this study, it is recommended to avoid ventral directional insertion of the anti-rotation blade in PFNA operation or to adjust it in order to reduce the risk of femoral head varus biomechanically, especially in unstable fractures. This adjustment will help enhance clinical outcomes for patients.

Biomechanical evaluation of ortho-bridge system and proximal femoral nail antirotation in intertrochanteric fractures with lateral wall fracture based on finite element analysis.

The integrity of the lateral wall in femoral intertrochanteric fractures significantly impacts fracture stability and internal fixation. In this study, we compared the outcomes of treating intertrochanteric fractures with lateral wall involvement using the ortho-bridge system (OBS) combined with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) versus simple PFNA from a biomechanical perspective. Finite-element models of femoral intertrochanteric fractures with lateral wall involvement were subjected to fixation with OBS combined with PFNA and simple PFNA. Von Mises stress measurements and corresponding displacement assessments for each component of the model, including the proximal femur and lateral wall, were used to evaluate the biomechanical effects of OBS fixation on bone and intramedullary nail stability. Using PFNA alone to fix intertrochanteric fractures with lateral wall involvement resulted in von Mises stress levels on the lateral wall exceeding safe stress tolerances for bone growth. OBS fixation significantly reduced stress on the lateral wall of the femur and minimized the stress on each part of the intramedullary nail, reducing the overall displacement. In cases of intertrochanteric fractures with lateral wall involvement, PFNA fixation alone may compromise the biomechanical integrity of the lateral femoral wall, increasing the risk of postoperative complications. The addition of OBS to PFNA significantly reduces stress on the lateral femoral wall. Consequently, OBS should be considered for lateral wall fixation when managing intertrochanteric fractures combined with lateral wall fractures.

Comparison of functional and radiological outcome of unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures treated using PFN and PFNA in patients with osteoporosis.

Unstable intertrochanteric fracture poses challenges in terms of obtaining stable fixation and good post-operative outcomes. There is a paucity of clinical data comparing the commonly used proximal femoral nail (PFN) and PFN anti-rotation (PFNA) implants, especially in relation to osteoporosis. The purpose of this study is to assess the comparative performance of PFN and PFNA fixation in the treatment of unstable femur intertrochanteric fractures. This prospective observational study was conducted to understand and analyze the advantages of PFNA over PFN in the management of unstable intertrochanteric fractures from May 2021 to October 2023 at the Department of Orthopaedics, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam. Patients presenting with an unstable intertrochanteric fracture with Singh's Index grades 1, 2, and 3 were included. Boyd and Griffin classification types 2, 3, and 4 were included in the study. The patients were randomized into two types of implant groups. All patients were operated with a standard protocol. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months and any complications were noted. A comparison of functional outcomes was done using the Modified Harris Hip Score. Statistical analysis was done using the unpaired t-test/Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test. A P < 0.05 was considered significant. Every follow-up period included a Harris Hip Score assessment. At 3 months, the average score of PFN was 71.9 (range 66-81) and at 6 months it was 77.86 (range 72-90). For PFNA, at 3 months, the average score was 74.87 (range 66-81), and at 6 months, it was 89.3 (range 76-94). The improvement was seen well in the PFNA group which is statistically significant (P = 0.023). The most prevalent fracture was a type 2 fracture. The results showed PFNA has better rotation stability with single screws and better functional outcomes in treating unstable intertrochanteric fractures when compared to PFN.

Effectiveness of proximal femur bionic nail for intertrochanteric fracture in the elderly

To evaluate effectiveness of proximal femur bionic nail (PFBN) in treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly compared to the proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). A retrospective analysis was made on 48 geriatric patients with intertrochanteric fractures, who met the selection criteria and were admitted between January 2020 and December 2022. Among them, 24 cases were treated with PFBN fixation after fracture reduction (PFBN group), and 24 cases were treated with PFNA fixation (PFNA group). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as age, gender, cause of injury, side and type of fracture, time from injury to operation, and preoperative mobility score, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, Alzheimer's disease degree scoring, self-care ability score, osteoporosis degree (T value), and combined medical diseases between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of blood transfusions, transfusion volume, length of hospital stay, occurrence of complications, weight-bearing time after operation, and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, walking ability score, mobility score, self-care ability score were recorded and compared between the two groups. And the radiographic assessment of fracture reduction quality and postoperative stability, and fracture healing time were recorded. The operations in both groups were successfully completed. All patients were followed up 6-15 months with an average time of 9.8 months in PFBN group and 9.6 months in PFNA group. The operation time was significantly longer in PFBN group than in PFNA group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, number of blood transfusions, transfusion volume, length of hospital stay, change in activity ability score, and change in self-care ability score between the two groups ( P>0.05). The weight-bearing time after operation was significantly shorter in PFBN group than in PFNA group ( P<0.05), and the postoperative VAS score and walking ability score were significantly better in PFBN group than in PFNA group ( P<0.05). Radiographic assessment showed no significant difference in fracture reduction scores and postoperative stability scores between the two groups ( P>0.05). All fractures healed and there was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidence of complications was significantly lower in PFBN group (16.7%, 4/24) than in PFNA group (45.8%, 11/24) ( P<0.05). Compared with PFNA, PFBN in the treatment of elderly intertrochanteric fractures can effectively relieve postoperative pain, shorten bed time, reduce the risk of complications, and facilitate the recovery of patients' hip joint function and walking ability.

Comparing the supine and lateral positions for proximal femoral nail use in the treatment of intertrochanteric femoral fractures

Background/Aim: The management of unstable intertrochanteric fractures (ITF), which are becoming more common, is still a significant issue for public healthcare systems. As a result, successful fracture therapy is becoming a more crucial aspect of orthopedic practice. To treat older patients who have an ITF, this study compared the therapeutic outcomes and side effects of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) conducted in lateral decubitus and supine postures. Methods: One-hundred twenty patients between the ages of 65 and 90 who underwent PFNA surgery as a result of an unstable femoral ITF brought on by low-energy trauma were included in the study, which was conducted as a retrospective cohort study. Two groups of patients were established: (1) Group L, consisting of patients who underwent surgery in the lateral decubitus position and (2) Group S, consisting of patients who underwent surgery in the supine position. Several patient characteristics were compared: (1) demographic information, (2) length of hospital stay, (3) length of surgery, (4) intra-operative blood loss, (5) incision length, (6) number of intra-operative fluoroscopies, (7) duration of activity outside of bed, (8) duration of clinical recovery of fracture, (9) surgical complications, (10) patient outcomes, and (11) Harris hip scores (HHS). Results: Group L (60 patients) consisted of patients who underwent surgery in the lateral decubitus position, while Group S (60 patients) underwent surgery in the supine position (60 patients). The average hospital stay for patients receiving PFNA was 8.2 days for those in the supine position compared to 8.0 days for those in the lateral decubitus position. The difference between the operative times was significant (P&lt;0.001) with 48.6 and 59.7 min in Groups L and S, respectively. Intra-operative blood losses in Groups L and S were 129.2 and 151.5 mL, respectively. Compared to Group S, Group L's mean incision length was much lower at 6 cm (as compared to 8 cm in Group S). The difference between the mean intra-operative radiation exposure times for Groups L and S was considerable at 9.38 versus 12.5 min. The mean times for fracture union and the HHS were not statistically different between the two groups after 12 weeks of treatment. Conclusion: ITFs in elderly patients can be successfully treated with PFNA in either the lateral decubitus or supine position. Surgical duration, blood loss, intra-operative X-ray exposure, and incision lengths were all reduced with PFNA performed in the lateral decubitus position. As a result, treatment of ITFs in older individuals may involve PFNA fixation in the lateral decubitus position. Particularly for people with a muscular gluteal region or obese patients, the lateral decubitus position is advised.

Favorable revision-free survivorship of cemented arthroplasty following failed proximal femoral nail antirotation: a case series with a median follow-up of 10 years

BackgroundGiven the ever-increasing rate of failure related to proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA), it is expected that an increasing number of PFNA individuals will undergo conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). The long-term survivorship of conversion of the initial PFNA to cemented THA is still debated. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the long-term revision-free survivorship of cemented THAs after initial failures of PFNA in geriatric individuals.MethodsConsecutive geriatric individuals who underwent secondary cemented THA after initial PFNA fixation from July 2005 to July 2018, were retrospectively identified from three medical centres. The primary outcome was revision-free survivorship estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression with revision for any reason as the endpoint; secondary outcomes were functional outcomes and key THA-related complications. Follow-ups occurred at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and then every 12 months after conversion.ResultsIn total, 186 consecutive patients (186 hips) were available for study inclusion. The median follow-up was 120.7 months (60–180 months) in the cohort. Kaplan–Meier survivorship with revision for any reason as the end point showed that the 10-year revision-free survival rate was 0.852 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.771–0.890). Good functional outcomes were seen, and the HHS decreased markedly over the 24th month to the final follow-up interval from 92.2 to 75.1 (each p < 0.05). The overall rate of key THA-related complications was 16.1% (30/186).ConclusionCemented THA executed following initial PFNA failure may yield satisfactory revision-free survival and, at least for the initial 10 years after conversion, good functional outcomes and a 16.1% complication rate of key THA-related complications, which supports the trend towards increased use of cemented THA.

Clinical analysis of extended PFNA combined with MIPPO plate for reconstruction of lateral wall in treatment of AO-A3.3 intertrochanteric fracture

To compare the clinical efficacy of lengthened proximal femoral nail anti-rotation(PFNA) combined with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis(MIPPO) and common PFNA in the treatment of AO-A3.3 intertrochanteric fracture. The clinical data of 58 patients with AO-A3.3 intertrochanteric fracture treated from January 2015 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 27 patients were treated with extended PFNA + MIPPO plate to reconstruct the lateral wall (group A), and 31 patients were treated with closed reduction and PFNA fixation (group B). The bleeding volume, operation time, femoral neck length and tip apex distance(TAD), fracture healing time and postoperative complications were observed and compared between two groups. Harris score was used to evaluate hip joint function 10 months after operation. All patients were followed up for 12 to 28 months. The incision healed well after operation. The bleeding volume and operation time of group A were significantly more than that of group B (P<0.05), and the fracture healing time of group A was significantly less than that of group B(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of femoral neck between two groups at 2 days after operation(P>0.05). The length of femoral neck at 6 months after operation in each group was shorter than that at 2 days after operation(P<0.05), and the shortening of femoral neck at 6 months after operation in group B was significantly shorter than that in group A(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in TAD values between two groups at the same time point(P>0.05) at 2 days and 6 months after operation. There was no significant difference in TAD values between 2 days and 6 months after operation(P>0.05). The incidence of complications in group B was significantly higher than that in group A(P<0.05). The Harris scores of hip joint function in group A were higher than those in group B 10 months after operation (P<0.05). Compared with the treatment of AO-A3 femoral intertrochanteric fracture with closed reduction and PFNA fixation, the lengthened PFNA combined with MIPPO small plate for reconstruction and fixation of the lateral wall can promote the fracture healing, improve the patient's functional recovery, and significantly reduce the complications.

An innovative scoring system for predicting an excellent Harris hip score after proximal femoral nail anti-rotation in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture

Typically, intramedullary and extramedullary devices are used to treat elderly with intertrochanteric fractures. The majority of previous research has focused on the association between surgical factors and mechanical failure after internal fixation. There is, however, limited evidence to demonstrate the association between functional outcomes after proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) fixation and the non-surgical factors such as patient’s comorbidities. The aim of this study is to determine the predictive factors associated with excellent outcome, as well as to develop an integrated scoring system to predict the outcome after PFNA fixation in elderly patients with an intertrochanteric fracture. A retrospective study was conducted between January 2012 and December 2018. Elderly patients with low-energy intertrochanteric fractures who underwent PFNA fixation and at least a year of follow-up were recruited. Demographics, comorbidities, cognitive status, time to operation, and surgical parameters of the patients were all identified. Excellent and non-excellent outcomes were assessed by Harris Hip Score (HHS) after a one-year follow up. Regression analysis was used to determine the predictors for an excellent functional outcome. A new integrated scoring system (ISSI; Integrate Scoring System in elderly patients with Intertrochanteric fracture) was developed and validated. 450 elderly patients were randomly divided into two cohorts: a development (N = 225) and validation cohorts (N = 225). In this study, age < 85 years, normal weight/overweight, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) < 6, no cognitive impairment, a modified AO/OTA 31A1.3, time to operation < 6 days, and Tip Apex Distance between 20 and 30 mm were significantly associated with an excellent outcome after PFNA fixation. The range of ISSI score was between 0 to 16 and the cut-off score of 13 was found to have the highest discriminatory power to determine the excellent functional outcome where the area of ROC was 0.85. In regards to the validation cohort, the sensitivity and specificity of ISSI score was 69% and 87%, respectively, and the AUC was 0.81. The ISSI score is effortless and practical for orthopedic surgeons for predicting an outcome after PFNA fixation in elderly patients with an intertrochanteric fracture.

Effectiveness of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation and cerclage fixation for complicated femoral subtrochanteric fractures

To investigate the effectiveness of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) and cerclage fixation for complicated femoral subtrochanteric fractures. A clinical data of 74 patients with complicated femoral subtrochanteric fractures, who were admitted between March 2016 and March 2019 and met the criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 39 patients were treated with limited open reduction and PFNA combined with cerclage fixation (observation group) and 35 patients were treated with closed reduction and PFNA fixation (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, side and type of fracture, and the time from injury to operation ( P>0.05). The ratio of postoperative hemoglobin (1, 3, and 5 days) to the preoperative hemoglobin, the operation time, the first weight-bearing time after operation, and the hospital stay were recorded. X-ray films were taken to observe fracture healing in the two groups and bone resorption around the cerclage in the observation group, and the fracture healing time was recorded. Hip function was evaluated by Harris scoring. The operation time of the observation group was significantly longer than that of the control group ( P<0.05), but the first weight-bearing time and hospital stay were significantly shorter ( P<0.05). All patients were followed up 12 months. There was no significant difference in the ratios of post- to pre-operative hemoglobin (1, 3, and 5 days) between the two groups ( P>0.05). X-ray film reexamination showed that the fractures of the two groups healed smoothly, and the fracture healing time of the observation group was significantly shorter than that of the control group ( t=-12.989, P=0.000). No bone resorption around the cerclage occurred in the observation group. The Harris scores of the observation group were better than those of the control group at 7 days and 1, 2, and 3 months after operation ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at 6 months after operation ( t=1.329, P=0.180). Compared with PFNA fixation, PFNA combined with cerclage fixation for the complicated femoral subtrochanteric fractures has a shorter operation time, and can obtain immediate stability after fixation, which can meet the needs of patients for early functional exercise.

Finite element analysis of fixation effect for femoral neck fracture under different fixation configurations

In this study, the biomechanical differences among three internal fixation configurations for treatment of Pauwels type II and III femoral neck fractures were analyzed. Using finite element analysis, the femur displacement and stress distributions of the internal fixation device and fracture section were obtained for different patients and movement conditions. The results show that patients with osteoporosis are more prone to femoral varus and femoral neck shortening, and the fracture probability of the device for these patients is higher than that for patients with normal bone. The treatment effect of the inverted-triangle screw (ITS) fixation and proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) fixation is better than that of dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation. The ITS fixation is more suitable for the treatment of the normal bone patients with Pauwels II femur neck fracture. However, the PFNA fixation has better biomechanical advantages and better capability for anti-femoral neck shortening. Therefore, it is suitable for the treatment of femoral neck fracture patients with osteoporosis.

Effectiveness of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation for high plane intertrochanteric femur fractures

To evaluate the effectiveness of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) in treatment of high plane intertrochanteric femur fractures. A retrospective analysis was performed on 33 patients who underwent closed reduction and PFNA fixation for high plane intertrochanteric femur fracture between January 2016 and June 2019. There were 12 males and 21 females with an average age of 75.1 years (mean, 47-89 years). The fractures were caused by falling from height in 21 cases, by traffic accident in 7 cases, and by other injuries in 5 cases. Fractures were classified as type A in 14 cases and type B in 19 cases according to self-defined fracture classification criteria; and as type 31-A1.2 in 14 cases and as type 31-A2.2 in 19 cases according to AO/Orthopedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification criteria. The time from injury to operation was 2-5 days (mean, 2.7 days). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, fracture reduction quality, fracture healing time, internal fixation failure, and Parker-Palmer score were recorded. The operation time was 40-75 minutes (mean, 55 minutes). The intraoperative blood loss was 50-150 mL (mean, 64 mL). The hospital stay was 5-15 days (mean, 8.7 days). All incisions healed by first intention. Twenty-eight patients were followed up 12-18 months with an average of 13.6 months. The fracture reduction quality was rated as excellent in 9 cases (32.1%), good in 17 cases (60.7%), and poor in 2 cases (7.1%) by Chang's criteria. Parker-Palmer score was 6-9 (mean, 7.9) at last follow-up. High plane intertrochanteric femur fracture is a special type of intertrochanteric fracture, which can be diagnosed by imaging examination. PFNA fixation can achieve satisfactory results and prevent the occurrence of internal fixation failure effectively.

Wound drainage after proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) fixation may negatively affect the patients with intertrochanteric fractures: A prospective randomized controlled trial

Introduction: The effect of using closed suction drainage system with the proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) system fixation on outcomes in treating intertrochanteric fractures (ITFs) is still unknown. This prospective randomized controlled trial aimed to examine whether routine drainage is useful for PFNA fixation in ITFs.Methods: A total of 80 patients with acute ITFs were treated with closed or mini-open reduction with PFNA fixation at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital and 60 eligible patients were randomized for whether to receive suction drainage. In clinical outcomes, the visual analog scale (VAS), morphine equivalent dosage, injured thigh width, body temperature, wound condition and wound infection were measured on postoperative day 1, 2, 4, 10, and 90. In laboratory outcomes, we evaluated hemoglobin and hematocrit levels postoperatively at different time points. Blood transfusion and total blood loss (TBL) were measured by Mercuriali's formula in millimeter.Results: The results revealed that the amount of blood transfusion received by the drained group (543.3 mL) was more than that by the undrained group (367.8 mL; p = 0.0074), and similarly, TBL in the drained group (750.1 mL) was more than that in the undrained group (537.4 mL; p = 0.0067). Regarding clinical and laboratory outcomes, compared with the undrained group, the drained group had a higher VAS score on postoperative day 2 (p = 0.0216). No difference was observed between the 2 groups for morphine equivalent dosage, thigh swelling, wound infection and hematoma, hospitalization period, or total number of complications at every time point after index procedure.Conclusions: Blood transfusion requirement and TBL were higher in the drained group than in the undrained group of PFNA fixation for ITFs. In addition, the closed drainage system may have manifested no short-term benefit for wound condition postoperatively.

Effectiveness of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation combined with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis versus Intertan intramedullary nail fixation in treatment of intertrochanteric fracture with incomplete lateral wall

To compare the effectiveness of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) combined with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) and Intertan intramedullary nail fixation by closed reduction in the treatment of AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) type 31-A3.3 intertrochanteric fracture with incomplete lateral wall. The clinical data of 54 patients with AO/OTA type 31-A3.3 intertrochanteric fracture who met the selection criteria and were admitted between January 2012 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different surgical methods, the patients were divided into group A (24 cases with lateral wall reconstruction by MIPPO combined with PFNA internal fixation) and group B (30 cases with Intertan intramedullary nail fixation by closed reduction only). There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) in terms of gender, age, side of injury, cause of injury, and combined medical diseases. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, time to weight-bearing, fracture healing time, and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The tip apex distance (TAD) was measured at 2 days, 2 months, and 1 year after operation. At 12 months after operation, the hip joint function was evaluated according to Harris scoring standard, and the rate of conformity (Harris score were more than 70) was calculated. The wounds of the two groups healed by first intention, without infection, skin deformity, and other incision complications. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss of group A were significantly more than those of group B, and the time to weight-bearing and fracture healing were significantly shorter than those of group B ( P<0.05). The patients were followed up 9-20 months (mean, 14.7 months) in group A and 9-19 months (mean, 13.8 months) in group B. There was no significant difference in TAD values at 2 days, 2 months, and 1 year after operation between the two groups ( P<0.05), and there was also no significant difference in TAD values between the postoperative time points ( P>0.05). There was 1 case of infection, 1 case of screw withdrawal, 2 cases of screw removal, and 1 case of bone nonunion in group B, the incidence of complications was 16.7%; there was only 1 case of screw withdrawal combined with screw blade withdrawal in group A, the incidence of complications was 4.2%; there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ 2=2.109, P=0.146). At 12 months after operation, the Harris scores of pain, function, malunion, range of motion, and total score in group A were significantly better than those in group B ( P<0.05). The rate of conformity of group A was 95.83% (23/24) and 76.67% (23/30) in group B, and the difference between the two groups was significant ( χ 2=3.881, P=0.049). For the AO/OTA type 31-A3.3 intertrochanteric fracture with incomplete lateral wall, compared with the closed reduction Intertan intramedullary nail fixation, the incidence of internal fixation failure after MIPPO reconstruction with lateral wall combined with PFNA fixation was lower, the time to weight-bearing was earlier, and the postoperative function was better.

Comparison of Mortality Rate Between Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty and Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-rotation for Intertrochanteric Fractures in Sanglah Hospital, Bali

Introduction: Intertrochanteric fractures occur in about 50% of all hip fracture events, with a mortality rate within 1 year after fracture reaching 15 to 20%. The most common treatment nowadays is either the bipolar hemiarthroplasty procedure or proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA), although there is still no consensus regarding which is better from the two, especially on patient mortality.Method: This study was an observational study using a retrospective cohort design. A total of 102 study subjects who met the inclusion requirements were grouped into 2 groups, one with bipolar hemiarthroplasty fixation treatment and another with PFNA fixation treatment. Mortality rate was recorded by survey 2 years after surgery.Results: Chi-square test showed that 2-year mortality rate after intertrochanteric fracture treated with bipolar hemiarthroplasty (21.4%) was significantly higher than the PFNA group (10.3%) (p = 0.028). Bipolar hemiarthroplasty group also had longer length of stay (50%) than the PFNA group (32.4%), albeit statistically insignificant (p = 0.13). There was no significant difference between the 2-year mortality rate and length of stay (p = 0.976).Conclusion: Patients with intertrochanteric fractures who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty have significantly higher 2- year mortality rate than similar patients underwent fixation with PFNA, while they did not experience higher length of stay than the PFNA group. Future prospective, multi center study with larger sample size will be likely to validate similar fixation choice needed to decrease the mortality rate in intertrochanteric fractures.

Application of intravenous injection of tranexamic acid combined with local use of tranexamic acid cocktail in intertrochanteric fracture fixation

To explore the efficacy and safety of intravenous injection of tranexamic acid (TXA) combined with local use of TXA cocktail in intertrochanteric fracture fixation with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). Patients with intertrochanteric fractures who underwent close reduction and internal fixation with PFNA between February 2018 and March 2019 were enrolled in the study. Among them, 45 patients who met the selection criteria were included in the study and randomly allocated into 3 groups ( n=15). The patients in group A were not received TXA during perioperative period. The patients were intravenously injected of 1.0 g TXA before operation in group B and combined with local use of TXA cocktail during operation in group C. There was no significant difference in the age, gender, body mass index, fracture classification, disease duration, and complications between groups ( P>0.05). The perioperative blood loss and blood transfusion rate, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score before operation and at 12, 24, and 48 hours after operation, the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and bradykinin (BK) before operation and at 1 and 3 days after operation, postoperative complications, and the maximum amplitude (MA) of thromboelastogram were recorded and compared between groups. The total blood loss, hidden blood loss, and visible blood loss were significantly lower in groups B and C than those in group A ( P<0.05), and the total blood loss and hidden blood loss were significantly lower in group C than those in group B ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the blood transfusion rate, preoperative VAS scores and the levels of PGE2 and BK between groups ( P>0.05). The postoperative VAS scores and the levels of PGE2 and BK were significantly lower in group C than in groups A and B ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in pre- and post-operative MA of thromboelastogram between groups ( P>0.05). The incidences of postoperative complications were 33.33% (5/15), 20.00% (3/15), and 13.33% (2/15) in groups A, B, and C, respectively, with no significant difference between groups ( χ 2=1.721, P=0.550). For intertrochanteric fractures, application of intravenous injection of TXA combined with local use of TXA cocktail in PFNA fixation can reduce perioperative blood loss, relieve pain after operation, and do not increase the risk of complications.

RADIOLOGIC PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR CUT OUT FAILURE OF PROXIMAL FEMORAL NAIL ANTI-ROTATION IN TREATMENT OF INTERTROCHANTERIC FRACTURES

Background: Proximal femoral fractures are the most common type of fracture among elderly patients. Moreover, half of the fractures are unstable types (AO31A2-A3). The aim of surgical treatments of these fractures is to achieve stable fracture fixation allowing early weight-bearing and returning to pre-fracture functional status. Even though the Tip Apex Distance (TAD) less than 25mm has been used to identify the appropriate position of the lag screw, little data has demonstrated the optimized TAD using a helical blade.Objectives: The study aimed to identify radiologic factors influencing fixation failure using a newly designed Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-rotation (PFNA)Methods: A total o 400 cases of low energy intertrochanteric fractures undergoing PFNA fixation were reviewed. Of these, 10 cases of fixation failure were further investigated determining the exact cause. Of 390 patients with successful outcomes treated using PFNA fixation, 20 cases were randomized as a control group. A comparative study was conducted between those with fixation failure group and control group.Results: The displacement in lateral view and sum of displacement between AP and lateral view of radiographs were noted to have significant differences between the group (p=0.002 and 0.015). No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of Neck Shaft Angle (NSA) and Tip Apex Distance (TAD) including migration of the PFNA blade in the Cleveland zone. Additionally, the cutoff point was determined as less than 0.91 using the sum of the distance of displacement of AP with specificity of 95% and sensitivity of 80%. Moreover, the lateral view of the radiographs was less than 1.42 with specificity of 80% and sensitivity of 80%.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the displacement in lateral hip view and sum of the displacement in both AP and lateral hip view were alternative parameters measured to decrease failure rate in PFNA. These parameters may be useful as an alternative to decrease the mechanical failure of PFNA fixation.

Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) versus Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-rotation (PFNA) Fixation for Unstable (Evans-Jensen II and III) Inter-trochanteric Fractures of Femur in Elderly

Background: Dynamic hip screw (DHS) and proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) are the two most commonly used fixation devices for inter-trochanteric fracture of femur. However, many clinical studies have shown lack of differences in the clinical outcome consistently with between these two fixation techniques. The main objective of this study is to compare the results of dynamic hip screw (DHS) and proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) fixation in elderly patients with unstable inter-trochanteric fractures of femur.&#x0D; Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent operative management for inter- trochanteric fractures of femur in our hospital between February 2013 and September 2017. Elderly patients (Age &gt;60yrs) with unstable inter-trochanteric fracture of femur treated either with DHS fixation or with PFNA fixation were included and divided into two groups: DHS fixation group and PFNA fixation group. The comparative statistical analysis was done between two group using following parameters: average length of the incision, operation time, blood loss, fracture healing time, and degree of postoperative functional recovery.&#x0D; Results: The mean follow-up period, in DHS fixation group was 16 month (range 12 to 24 months) and in PFNA fixation group was 14 months (range 12 to 18 months). The differences between two groups regarding average length of the incision, operation time, and blood loss were statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) and better in PFNA group whereas the differences between two groups regarding fracture healing time and the degree of postoperative functional recovery were not statistically significant (p &gt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusions: PFNA fixation may be better than DHS fixation for the treatment of unstable inter-trochanteric fractures of the femur in the elderly. However, the application and usage of DHS fixation could not be neglected and the choice of treatment depends upon the systemic condition and socioeconomic status of the patient, patient’s preferences, surgeon’s experience and availability of treatment facility.