Factors influencing neck anteversion during femoral nailing: a retrospective analysis of 220 torsion-difference CTs

Incidence of Rotational Malalignment after Intertrochanteric Fracture Intramedullary Nailing: A CT-Based Prospective Study

Background and Objectives: Rotational malformation after intramedullary nailing of intertrochanteric fractures is a relatively common, possibly severe, and difficult-to-detect complication, since intraoperative radiographic imaging allows for the assessment of the quality of reduction in the frontal and sagittal planes, but not in the transverse plane. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rotational malalignment after intramedullary nailing of intertrochanteric fractures and to investigate a possible connection with specific patients' or fractures' characteristics. Materials and Methods: 74 patients treated with intramedullary nailing due to an intertrochanteric fracture underwent a postoperative CT of the pelvis-hips and knees. The value of the anteversion was measured both in the operated-on (angle 1) and in the healthy hip (angle 2) based on the technique described by Jeanmart et al. and the difference in anteversion (D angle = angle 1 minus angle 2) was calculated. A positive D angle indicated the presence of excessive internal overcorrection of the distal fragment during fracture reduction, while a negative D angle indicated the presence of excessive external overcorrection. The absolute value of the D angle represents the postoperative difference in anteversion between the two hips. The patients were divided into three groups according to this value: group A, with D < 5° (physiological difference); group B, with 5° < D < 15° (acceptable rotational alignment); and group C, with D ≥ 15° (rotational deformity). Results: Group A constitutes 56.8%, group B 12.2%, and group C 31.1% of the study population. Overall, 79.7% of the patients presented a positive angle D, while, for group C, the percentage was even higher at 91.3%. According to the AO/OTA classification system, 37.8% of the cases were stable fractures, 47.3% were unstable fractures, and 14.9% were reverse oblique fractures. Based on our analysis, the type of fracture has a serious impact on the rotational alignment, since the statistical significance of the mean angle D for the three types of fracture is reliable (p = 0.029). Stable fractures present the lowest anteversion difference values, while reverse oblique fractures present the highest difference. Conclusions: Our study reveals that the percentage of rotational malalignment after the intramedullary nailing of intertrochanteric fractures remains high (31.1%), despite the proper use of radiographic imaging during the intraoperative fracture reduction. In most cases (91.3%), this malalignment appears to be a matter of internal overcorrection. A clear correlation between hip's rotational deformity and patients' functional outcome has yet to be proven, and constitutes our objective in the near future.

Femoral shaft fractures treated by antegrade locked intramedullary nailing: EOS stereoradiographic imaging evaluation of rotational malalignment having a functional impact

INTRODUCTION

The standard treatment of femoral shaft fractures is intramedullary nailing. One of the most frequent complications is femoral malrotation. Our study sought to: 1) use EOS imaging to determine the amount of rotational malalignment after intramedullary nailing that has an impact on 6-month functional results; 2) determine the incidence of femoral malrotation based on EOS imaging; 3) determine the risk factors for postoperative femoral malrotation that impacts the 6-month functional results. The hypothesis was that EOS imaging can be used to determine the amount of femoral malrotation that has a functional impact in patients treated by percutaneous femoral intramedullary nailing.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a prospective, single-center study between September 2017 and February 2020. Patients who had suffered a femoral shaft fracture treated with antegrade intramedullary nailing were included in this study. Femoral anteversion was measured at 6 months with an EOS stereoradiographic imaging system. Patients were assessed at 6 months with the WOMAC, Oxford, Harris and MDP functional scores. The SF-12 quality of life score was also determined.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were evaluated at 6 months postoperatively, 15 women (50%) and 15 men (50%) who were 47 years old on average [16; 94]. The average anteversion was 19.9°C [-23°; 75°]. The functional scores (Oxford and Harris) were altered when there was 14° or more difference in femoral torsion between the operated side and the healthy side with a sensitivity of 0.88 and a specificity of 0.77. The risk factors for femoral malrotation were age under 35 years (p=0.01), urgent surgical management (p=0.008), location in middle third of femoral shaft (p=0.05), and short spiral fracture (p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

The use of EOS imaging allowed us to demonstrate that functional hip outcomes are altered at 6 months postoperatively when greater than 14° femoral malrotation is present compared to the contralateral side after femoral intramedullary nailing. The risk factors that contributed to intraoperative rotational malalignment were age less than 35 years, urgent surgical management, mid-shaft femoral fracture and short spiroid fractures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Reliability analysis of CT torsion assessment after closed cephalomedullary nailing of trochanteric femoral fractures. A comparison study of six established methods

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic maltorsion and implant failure after closed reduction of proximal femoral fractures remain a cause of concern. Although the reproducibility of torsion measuring techniques on CT for femoral shaft fractures has been thoroughly analyzed, little is known about the trochanteric fractures. Apart from the well-known CT limitations, posttraumatic alteration of bony landmarks makes torsional assessment even more challenging. Main goal of this study was to examine the reliability of different CT techniques on trochanteric femoral fractures after closed nail fixation. Secondary goal was to see whether the measurements within the examined population were influenced by the fracture type and patient age or BMI.

METHODS

20 cases (AO.31-A1 or -A2) were retrospectively examined. Six established CT techniques for torsional assessment were performed from three different investigators twice at different time points. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC for 95% CI) was used to analyze the interobserver and intraobserver reliability.

RESULTS

The Hernandez method (0.986) followed by the Jend method (0.982) by a mean difference of <1° showed the highest reliability. Although increasing fracture complexity from A1 to A2 led to an overall worsening of the measurement precision, the Hernandez and Jend techniques revealed a very good consistency. Within the examined population, age and BMI had no impact on the precision of the measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The Hernandez and Jend methods represent reliable alternatives for torsional assessment of trochanteric femur fractures treated with closed nail fixation when compared to the other measurement techniques here involved. Documentation of the torsion measuring method used in each case constitutes an essential element of the radiological reports.

Direct measurement of malrotation of traumatic femoral neck fractures after osteosynthesis: Introduction of a novel method and interrater reliability

Background

In elderly patients, displaced femoral neck fractures are mostly treated by arthroplasty; however for younger patients (<50 years), open reduction and internal fixation is considered the gold standard approach. Despite there being no consensus on the specific procedure, everyday clinical practice in a level I trauma center has shown that postoperative maltorsion after internal fixation of femoral neck fractures can have a significantly worse impact on mobilization and outcome. Different methods for measurement of malrotations are reported in literature. However, any reported method for the assessment of a shaft malrotation in the femur does not work here. In femoral neck fractures, the pointer function of the femoral neck, which is absolutely essential for these techniques, is lost and cannot be set in relation to the condylar plane. These circumstances are not addressed in literature thus far. Therefore, we propose here a novel method to fill this diagnostic gap.

Methods and findings

Three investigators (1 orthopaedic surgeons and 2 radiologists) measured the torsion of 20 legs on 10 patients using the Jarret method and a new geometric technique. To determine the intraobserver reliability the torsional angles were calculated again after 3 months. We applied a new geometric technique, without the need to include the femoral condyles in the measurement, to directly measure the angulation. For torsional difference, the interrater reliability -ICC (interclass correlation) between all investigators was 0.887 (good) (significance level: 95%CI, 0.668–0.969; p<0.001), by using the method of Jarret et al. and 0.933 (good) for the novel technique (significance level: 95%CI, 0.802–0.982; p<0.001). If the examinations are classified according to the patient side, our data show that for established methods, an ICC between the examiners on the right lower extremity is 0.978 (good) (95%CI, 0.936–0.994; p<0.001) and that on the left extremity is 0.955 (good) (95%CI, 0.867–0.988; p<0.001). Comparing with the new method, the right side assumes an ICC of 0.971 (good) (95%CI, 0.914–0.992; p<0.001), while the left side assumes an ICC of 0.910 (good) (95%CI, 0,736–0.976; p<0.001). When it comes to the intraobserver reliability, the measured cohort shows a significant better ICC for the novel method compared to Jarrett et al, with 0.907 respectively 0.786 for comparison in torsional differences.

Conclusion

The established methods may fail in assessing this special aspect of malrotation after femoral neck fractures. Here, the method presented results in a significant difference between the injured and uninjured side and shows significant differences in results compared to conventional measurement methods. The inter- and intraobserver reliability determined in this study is excellent and even higher in the assessment of torsional differences than the established method. We believe that the measurement method presented in this study is a useful tool to objectify the postoperative deformities in this area and making therapy recommendations in the future.

Intraoperative Issues and Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Femur Fractures Treated With Flexible Nails: A Comparison of Cases Utilizing Skeletal Traction and a Traction Table to Cases Using Manual Traction Only

INTRODUCTION

The use of the orthopaedic traction table (OTT) during elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) in the management of displaced diaphyseal femur fractures (DFFs) is still debated. In most centers, children with displaced DFF are treated using an OTT. In some other institutions, however, fracture reduction and stabilization by ESIN are performed on a radiolucent table without an OTT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcome of children with displaced DFF managed by ESIN with and without the use of an OTT.

METHODS

Charts and radiographs were retrospectively reviewed for all pediatric patients sustaining DFF managed by ESIN from 2011 to 2017 at 2 different institutions. In all, 69 consecutive children with displaced DFF were recorded, of whom 35 underwent operative treatment by ESIN with the use of an OTT with skeletal traction (Group A), and 34 by ESIN without OTT (Group B). The titanium elastic nails outcome measure scale score and Beaty radiologic criteria were used to evaluate the results.

RESULTS

Average patient age at time of injury was 9 years (range, 5 to 13) and 10 years (range, 4 to 15) in Groups A and B, respectively. The mean follow-up was 54 months (range, 24 to 96). Overall, complications were observed in 6 patients (8.6%). Complication rate was higher among children managed without OTT (11.8%) than among children treated with OTT (2.5%); no complication related to pin insertion for skeletal traction was recorded. However, the number of patients with a poor outcome according to the titanium elastic nails outcome score was higher in Group A (20%) than in Group B (5.8%). Beaty radiologic criteria were comparable between the 2 groups. Mean length of surgery and mean cumulative time of radiation exposure during surgery were similar between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, both techniques work equally well although patients treated by ESIN with the use of an OTT and skeletal traction tended to have a lower rate of complications and radiologic outcome was worse than for patients treated without using an OTT; however, no statistically significant difference was found.Despite their limitations, the results of this study suggest that displaced DFF can be safely managed by ESIN with or without the use of intraoperative OTT and skeletal traction, according to the surgeon's preference. Further studies are now needed to consolidate these conclusions and clarify the role of the OTT.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Intraoperative use of cortical step sign and diameter difference sign: Accuracy, inter-rater agreement and influence of surgical experience in subtrochanteric transverse fractures

BACKGROUND

The cortical step sign (CSS) and diameter difference sign (DDS) are radiographic tools for torsional alignment control in intramedullary nailing. They have been found to be highly relevant in objective radiographic measurements, but for intraoperative visual identification they lack sufficient evidence yet. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate their (1) accuracy, (2) inter-rater agreement, (3) predictors of correct identification for clinically relevant maltorsion (CRM: ≥15°), and (4) positive and negative predictive values.

HYPOTHESIS

Sensitivity and specificity of CSS and DDS in visual identification of CRM are comparable to those in objective measurement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Six observers of three different levels of surgical experience evaluated 50 a.p. and 50 lateral views of subtrochanteric fractures of cadaveric specimens with internal/external maltorsion from 0° to 30° to assess for CSS, DDS, and CRM. (1) Sensitivity and specificity were evaluated. Percentage agreement and Cohen's Kappa were used to evaluate accuracy as agreement with measured/true values and (2) inter-rater agreement. To determine (3) significant predictors of correct identification of the CSS, DDS, and CRM, a mixed-effects logistic model was constructed, and (4) predictive values were calculated.

RESULTS

(1) Sensitivities of CSS and DDS for CRM (0.99±0.03 and 0.88±0.06) were close to those in objective measurement (1.00 and 0.90). So were specificities (0.25±0.08 and 0.47±0.17 vs. 0.32 and 0.47). Agreement percentage for CSS was high (90-94%, kappa 0.40-0.69), for DDS and CRM it was slightly lower (74-82%, kappa 0.34-0.57 and 62-76%, kappa 0.26-0.49). (2) Inter-rater agreement also showed the highest values for CSS (88-96%, kappa 0.51-0.73) with slightly lower values for DDS (74-84%, kappa 0.36-0.63) and CRM (62-84%, kappa 0.21-0.68). (3) Training level and the magnitude of maltorsion were found the most relevant predictors of a correct identification of CSS/DDS/CRM. (4) DDS showed a higher positive predictive value (73.1%), CSS a higher negative predictive value (93.5%).

DISCUSSION

We found visual identification of CSS and DDS to be almost as accurate as objective measurement in the detection of CRM. Estimation of maltorsion is not sufficiently reliable, but a negative CSS excludes a CRM with high probability. Both signs should be applied by experienced surgeons.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, experimental setting, non-randomised experimental trial.

Intraoperative assessment of reduction quality during nail fixation of intertrochanteric fractures

BACKGROUND

The quality of intertrochanteric fracture reduction has traditionally been evaluated using simple radiographs. However, subjective intraoperative evaluation and efforts to achieve a perfect reduction are essential for optimal outcomes. This study aimed to establish criteria for the intraoperative assessment of the quality of intertrochanteric fracture reduction and also analyzed postoperative outcomes in terms of reduction quality.

METHODS

This study included 106 patients who received cephalo-medullary nailing for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures between March 2012 and May 2016 and were followed-up for at least 1 year. An image intensifier was used intraoperatively to evaluate reduction quality by examining the restoration of anteromedial cortex continuity, and neck-shaft angle and anteversion. Based on the reduction quality, the patients were classified into optimal, acceptable, and unacceptable groups, with intervention provided for the unacceptable group. The need for revision surgery and the degree of blade sliding were assessed, and postoperative outcomes related to implant position were analyzed.

RESULTS

Over 50% of patients with Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) type 31A2 and A3 fractures were assigned to the unacceptable group after closed reduction (P = 0.006), and 60 cases required additional reduction. Approximately 40% of cases classified as clinically unacceptable required revision, and the rate of sliding was ≥2-fold higher in the unacceptable group than those in the optimal and acceptable groups (P = 0.015), with an average excessive sliding of 9.85 mm. Regarding implant position, cut-out or penetration were observed in cases with superiorly-located blades (P = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

Good outcomes cannot be achieved with traction alone for femoral intertrochanteric fractures. Active management is required because accurate anteromedial cortex reduction, and restoration of neck-shaft angle and anteversion are essential in femoral intertrochanteric fractures.

Reduction Techniques for Diaphyseal Femur Fractures

Achieving and maintaining reduction in patients with a diaphyseal femur fracture may be difficult; therefore, thorough preoperative planning is required. To fully prepare for successful surgical management of diaphyseal femur fractures, surgeons must consider appropriate patient positioning and necessary tools, including surgical tables, traction devices, and instruments. Principles of acceptable reduction rely on the restoration of length, alignment, and rotation. Reduction of diaphyseal femur fractures should be attained in the least invasive manner, via percutaneous reduction techniques, if possible, to preserve fracture biology and promote successful fracture healing. Intraoperative assessment of reduction often requires imaging studies of the contralateral extremity as a reference. Intraoperative assessment for associated femoral neck fractures and postoperative clinical examination of the hip and knee are imperative to the successful management of diaphyseal femur fractures. Other reference modalities and clinical examinations are required in patients with bilateral diaphyseal femur fractures.

Intraoperative Correction of Femoral Rotational Deformity Using a Conventional Navigation System and a Smartphone: A Novel Technique

The intraoperatively rotational control of femoral shaft fractures treated with a closed intramedullary interlocking nailing is a challenging problem. A novel surgical technique that includes respective insertions of guidewires into the proximal and distal femur under the guidance of a 2-dimensional fluoroscopy-based navigation system and the measurements of the intersection angle subtended by the proximal and distal guidewires with the smartphone positional software has been designed to provide intraoperatively quantitative parameters of femoral rotation deformation. The comparison of these parameters with preoperative measurement values of the contralateral intact femur on computed tomography images was used to align the proximal and distal femur fragments based on periaxial rotation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its clinical suitability. Ten adult patients with femoral shaft fractures were attempted to correct intraoperatively femoral rotational deformity using this novel technique. The additional operation time was 20.04 ± 3.27 minutes. The angle of femoral anteversion was 20.85° ± 4.22°, 38.14° ± 19.07°, and 22.77° ± 3.38° in the contralateral intact and preoperatively and postoperatively injured femur, respectively. The mean absolute difference between both limbs was preoperatively 21.55° ± 10.14° with a statistically significant difference ( P = .005) and postoperatively 3.24° ± 1.69° with no statistically significant difference ( P = .092). Our results showed this novel technique could become an effective tool to correct intraoperatively rotational malalignment of femoral fractures.

Reproducibility of low-dose stereography measurements of femoral torsion after IM nailing of femoral shaft fractures and in intact femurs

INTRODUCTION

Rotational malunion is a complication of intramedullary (IM) nailing for femur fractures. Symptoms can appear with 15° or more of axial deformity. None of the currently available measurement methods have a satisfactory reliability/irradiation ratio. The purpose of this study was to study the reproducibility of measuring femoral torsion with an EOS(®) low-dose stereography (LDX) system.

HYPOTHESIS

LDX is a reproducible method for measuring post-traumatic femoral torsion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was studied in 45 patients who had a femoral fracture treated by IM nailing. Both the injured and contralateral healthy femurs were modelled. Bland-Altman plots were used to analyze the measurements made by three different observers (two orthopedic surgeons and one radiologist). For a given comparison, the interval between the upper limit of agreement (ULA) and lower limit of agreement (LLA) had to be within [-5°; 5°] for the examination to qualify as reproducible. Measurements were made by three observers (A, B, C) on the injured and healthy femur.

RESULTS

With the fractured femurs (n=39), the intra-observer [LLA; ULA] interval was [-16.295; 12.977]; it was [-18.475; 16.744] for the A-B pairing, [-13.316; 13.532] for the B-C pairing and [-17.839; 19.355] for the A-C pairing. With the healthy femurs (n=37), the intra-observer [LLA; ULA] interval was [-7.909; 7.88]; it was [-11.924; 11.639] for the A-B pairing, [-12.654; 11.93] for the B-C pairing and [-11; 12.009] for the A-C pairing.

DISCUSSION

The [LLA; ULA] intervals were greater than the [-5; +5] interval in all cases. LDX reproducibility is not sufficient for measuring femoral torsion after fracture or in healthy femurs. Observer experience, cohort size and the perfectible image quality are likely sources of bias. Conversely, the use of Bland-Altman plots and the multidisciplinary training of observers are major strengths of this study. Reproducibility will likely improve as the software is developed further and the image acquisition improves.

Torsional malalignment, how much significant in the trochanteric fractures?

OBJECTIVES

The rotational alignment is definitely important in the long bones such as tibias and femurs. We also predict the importance of rotational alignment in the trochanteric fractures. So we measured torsional malalignment in trochanteric fracture and anlaysed their risk factors and their clinical significance.

METHODS

A total of 109 inpatients who had undergone internal fixation following trochanteric fracture and a postoperative pelvic CT scan between 2008 and 2013, with at least one year follow-up, were selected. Factors that affect torsional malalignment, such as age, gender, fracture stability, injured area, operative time, time of surgery after admission, and ASA status, were investigated. Factors that affect the patients' clinical results in malrotation, including ambulation time after surgery, postoperative complication rates, pain assessment of VAS one year postoperatively and Koval score, were also investigated.

RESULTS

Of the 109 subjects, torsional malalignment was observed in 28 (25.7%) subjects with a mean torsional malalignment angle of 20.7° (range: -31.2° to 27.1°). Torsional malalignment risk factors were fracture stability (p=0.021) and operative time (p=0.043). In terms of the time to ambulation after surgery, the postoperative complication rates, and the VAS and Koval scores at one year postoperatively, no statistically significant difference was observed between the torsional malalignment patients and the non-deformity patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, 25.7% of the patients who had undergone internal fixation following trochanteric fracture experienced torsional malalignment. Major factors of the torsional malalignment were an unstable fracture and the consequent delay in the operative time. But the torsional malalignment was deemed to have no effect on clinical results.

Does electromagnetic-manual guided distal locking influence rotational alignment in antegrade femoral nailing?

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine whether distal locking using an electromagnetic-manual guided distal locking decreases the malrotation rate in femur fractures treated with intramedullary nailing.

METHODS

A total of 113 adult patients having unilateral femoral shaft fractures treated using IM nails were evaluated regarding demographic features, injury mechanism, fracture type, interval between trauma and nailing, operation time and number of image intensifier shots during the operation at least one year after nailing. Patients were divided into two groups according to distal locking technique. All patients had also undergone clinical examination for lower extremity alignment and range of motion and filled out the SF-36 questionnaire and undergone ultrasound measurement of femoral anteversion angles to reveal any rotational femoral malalignment.

RESULTS

Group 1 consisted of 47 patients (41.6 %) with electromagnetic-manual targeting guided distal locking and group 2 consisted of 66 patients (58.4 %) with free-hand distal locking. Both groups were statistically similar regarding demographic features, injury mechanism, fracture type, interval between trauma and nailing, clinical examination and SF-36 results. Operation time and number of image intensifier shots were significantly less in group 1. No statistically significant difference was found between the femoral anteversion angles of injured and uninjured sides of the patients in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is no significant effect on malrotation, previously known advantages lead us to state that electromagnetic-manual guided distal interlocking is an advantageous treatment option in femoral shaft fractures.

Comparing femoral version after intramedullary nailing performed by trauma-trained and non-trauma trained surgeons: is there a difference?

INTRODUCTION

As with some procedures, trauma fellowship training and greater surgeon experience may result in better outcomes following intramedullary nailing (IMN) of diaphyseal femur fractures. However, surgeons with such training and experience may not always be available to all patients. The purpose of this study is to determine whether trauma training affects the post-operative difference in femoral version (DFV) following IMN.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2000 and 2009, 417 consecutive patients with diaphyseal femur fractures (AO/OTA 32A-C) were treated via IMN. Inclusion criteria for this study included complete baseline and demographic documentation as well as pre-operative films for fracture classification and post-operative CT scanogram (per institutional protocol) for version and length measurement of both the nailed and uninjured femurs. Exclusion criteria included bilateral injuries, multiple ipsilateral lower extremity fractures, previous injury, and previous deformity. Of the initial 417 subjects, 355 patients met our inclusion criteria. Other data included in our analysis were age, sex, injury mechanism, open vs. closed fracture, daytime vs. nighttime surgery, mechanism of injury, and AO and Winquist classifications. Post-operative femoral version of both lower extremities was measured on CT scanogram by an orthopaedic trauma fellowship trained surgeon. Standard univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine statistically significant risk factors for malrotation between the two cohorts.

RESULTS

Overall, 80.3% (288/355) of all fractures were fixed by trauma-trained surgeons. The mean post-operative DFV was 8.7° in these patients, compared to 10.7° in those treated by surgeons of other subspecialties. This difference was not statistically significant when accounting for other factors in a multivariate model (p>0.05). The same statistical trend was true when analyzing outcomes of only the more severe Winquist type III and IV fractures. Additionally, surgeon experience was not significantly predictive of post-operative version for either trauma or non-trauma surgeons (p>0.05 for both).

CONCLUSIONS

Post-operative version or percentage of DFV >15° did not significantly differ following IMN of diaphyseal femur fractures between surgeons with and without trauma fellowship training. However, prospective data that removes the inherent bias that the more complex cases are left for the traumatologists are required before a definitive comparison is made.

Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation versus Gamma3 nail for intramedullary nailing of unstable trochanteric fractures. A randomised comparative study

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical results and the complication rates of a new generation of two intramedullary fixation devices: Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation® (PFNA) and Gamma3®. We conducted a prospective randomised multicentre trial of 61 patients who underwent a PFNA fixation treatment (31 patients) or a Gamma3 nail (30 patients). We documented the fixation failure complications as well as data of the surgical procedure, the clinical and functional outcomes (the EuroQoL5 questionnaire, the Katz index score, the Short Form 36 (SF-36), and the Harris Hip Score) and the plain radiographic parameters at 3,6 and 12 months follow up. The PFNA and Gamma3 fixation devices were similar in terms of complication rates. The risk for experiencing a postoperative complication after Gamma3 nailing was 40% versus 45% after PFNA fixation. At the 6-month and 1-year follow-up evaluations, there were no significant differences in terms of range of motion, clinical scores and radiological outcomes.

A preliminary clinical evaluation of the "greater trochanter-head contact point" method for the intraoperative torsional control of femoral fractures

PURPOSE

In a previous study, our group introduced a simple non-invasive method for the intraoperative control of femoral torsion during closed nailing of femoral fractures using the shape of the greater trochanter and its relation to the femoral head. The aim of this study was to verify the results of our cadaveric study and transfer them into a clinical setup. We answered the questions: How much time is needed to perform the greater trochanter-head contact point method (GT-HCP)? How long is the radiation time?

METHODS

We examined 15 patients with femoral shaft fractures, to evaluate the GT-HCP method in a clinical setup. Using a standard fluoroscopic image intensifier (Ziehm, Erlangen, Germany), the greater trochanter-head contact angle was measured for both sides. All patients received a postoperative computer tomography (CT) to check the rotational malalignment. The mean of the CT results was then compared to the measurements of the GT-HCP method. The examiners performing the CT measurements were not aware of the GT-HCP results and vice versa.

RESULTS

No statistical significance could be detected between the CT and the GT-HCP method (p = 0.853). Eleven patients had very good results (≤5°), three had good results (6-10°) and one had poor results (>10°). The mean difference between CT and GT-HCP method was 3.7 ± 3.3°, which is acceptable. The radiation dose needed for the method was not large (0.2 ± 0.1 min), and could be lowered with the gaining experience of the examiners. Similarly, the overall time needed (12.1 ± 4.9 min) for the GT-HCP method could be reduced with the experience of the team.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that the GT-HCP method is a precise and not particularly time consuming method for controlling anteversion during closed femoral nailing. Further clinical trials including a larger number of patients are required to establish this method in clinical practice.