title: Results of the multicentric Italian experience on the Gamma nail: a report on 648 cases.
abstract: In a multicentric study, the data of 628 trochanteric fractures, two non-unions, and 18 pathologic or impending fractures treated by Gamma nail in 13 Italian traumatology services were collected and analyzed. In 70% of the patients weight bearing was allowed in the first postoperative week and 78% of the controlled patients returned to their pretrauma walking ability. Complications included intraoperative (1.4%) and postoperative (1.2%) shaft fractures, "cut out" of the lag screw (2.6%), and nail failure (0.5%). There were no cases of infection. An analysis of complications showed that most of them were due to technical mistakes. The safest procedure is 2 mm diaphyseal overreaming, introduction of the nail without hammering, and distal locking; the lag screw should be placed in the lower part of the head of the femur.
authors.affiliation: Rizzoli Inst, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boriani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bettelli
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zmerly
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Specchia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bungaro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montanari
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capelli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Canella
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Regnoli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rispoli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011859:Radiography; D016474:Weight-Bearing