Is dynamic locking plate superior than other implants for intracapsular hip fracture: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: We studied the safety and efficacy of dynamic locking plate vs. other implants (cannulated cancellous screws [CCS] or sliding hip screw [SHS]) in patients undergoing intracapsular hip fracture (ICHF). METHODS: We searched Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane library and Google database from inception to March 25, 2018. We selected any studies comparing dynamic locking plate for treatment ICHF. Non-union rate, osteonecrosis rate, cutout rate, revision rate, the replacement rate, and Harris hip scores were the outcomes. Stata 12.0 was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Four studies involving 419 patients (143 patients in the dynamic locking plate group and 276 patients in the other implants group) were finally included. Compared with CCS or SHS, dynamic locking plate was associated with a reduction of nonunion rate, revision rate, replacement rate (P <.05). Furthermore, dynamic locking plate was also associated with an increase of the Harris hip scores (P <.05). There was no significant difference between the osteonecrosis rate and cutout rate (P >.05). CONCLUSIONS: Current meta-analysis revealed that dynamic locking plate has a benefit role in improving postoperative clinical outcome than CCS or SHS in ICHF patients. Further high quality and large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to further identify the efficacy of dynamic locking plate for ICHF.