Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures Trochanteric Fixation Nail Sliding Hip Screw

The primary treatment options for intertrochanteric hip fractures are a sliding hip screw (SHS)
and an intramedullary device, with each having its own advantages and disadvantages. The
authors retrospectively compared all intertrochanteric hip fractures between 2003 and 2005 using a cephalomedullary nail — the trochanteric fixation nail (TFN) — to those using a SHS. Outcome measures included the following parameters: age, gender, fracture classification, operation time, blood loss, transfusions, complications, follow-up, length of stay, and hospital cost. A total of 95 patients were  included in the study (51 SHS and 44 TFN). The two groups were similar in age (p D .52), blood loss (p D .20), follow-up (p D .13), length of stay (p D .63), and hospital costs (p D .70). The TFN procedure required shorter operative times (56.5 min, p < .004) and was used in more complex fracture patterns (p < .03). The SHS group had fewer blood transfusions (1.2 units, p < .0008). The SHS group had a higher complication rate of 19.6%, versus the TFN group’s 11.4% rate (p D .13). The TFN is an appropriate and acceptable treatment method for intertrochanteric hip fractures. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 16(2):62–66, 2007)