Minimally invasive treatment of trochanteric fractures with intramedullary nails. Technique and results

The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of minimally invasive treatment of trochanteric fractures with the use of intramedullary nails. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From September 2010 to September 2012 we treated 21 patients with pertrochanteric fractures by a minimally invasive technique using the Gamma 3 (Stryker, Howmedica) nail. There were 13 females and 8 men with a mean age of 74.1 years, ranging from 58 to 88 years. Fractures were classified as being stable (AO type 31-A1) in 5 cases and unstable (AO type 31-A2 and A3) in the rest of 16 cases. Patients were reviewed at 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean surgery time was 46.8 minutes and mean hospital stay was 14.9 days. No patients required blood transfusions. During the hospital stay all the patients were mobilized with weight bearing as tolerated. All patients were available for review at 6 weeks, and 2 were lost to the 3 months follow up. 16 patients regained the previous level of activity. CONCLUSIONS: This minimally invasive technique using a gamma nail device for pertrochanteric fractures gives reliable good results with excellent preservation of hip function.