Complications in treatment of trochanteric fractures using Ender's nails--a review of 120 patients.
A prospective study of 120 Chinese patients with trochanteric fractures treated with the surgical method of Ender's Nailing was undertaken. The average age of the patients was 79 years (ranged from 57 to 105 years). The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 18 months, with an average of 8 1/2 months. The mortality rate was 6%. There was no incidence of non-union, delayed union or deep wound infection. Local complications included extrusion of the nails, perforation of the femoral head, supracondylar fracture of the femur, mild limb shortening and external rotational deformity. Hip and knee pain occurred in a small percentage of patients but these tended to improve with time. Weight bearing walking could be started in the first week after operation in most of the patients. The functional result at 6 months was good in 73% of the patients. This method had the advantage of a limited surgical approach, minimal blood loss and good functional result. Analysis of the causes of the local complications indicated that if operative precautions were taken, morbidity could be reduced.
D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D004434:Early Ambulation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies