Treatment of interotrochanteric fractures with the Jewett nail: experience with 1,015 cases.
During the period 1957 to 1976, 1,015 Jewett nails were inserted for intertrochanteric hip fractures. This is one of the largest series of intertrochanteric fractures studied at one institution using one method of treatment. Anatomic reduction was attempted in almost all cases regardless of comminution. Medial or valgus displacement was rarely carried out on purpose. The average delay to surgery was 2.1 days after admission. Most parients were on bed-chair status on the first postoperative day and began toe-touching ambulation 10 to 14 days after surgery. Routine anticoagulation was not employed. The reduction and nail placement were critical factors for fracture healing. Only 3.3% of patients with satisfactory nailings had nail-related complications, such as penetration or cutting out. Eighty-seven per cent of patients with poor nailings had these problems. Ninety-eight and seven-tenths per cent of fractures united, 1.3% went to nonunion, and necrosis was seen in 2 united fractures (0.4%).
D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications