title: Subtrochanteric missile fractures of the femur.
abstract: The treatment results of subtrochanteric missile fractures of the femur in 41 casualties are analyzed. The wounds were inflicted by infantry weapon missiles in 29 (70.7%) and by fragments of mine or explosive devices in 12 (29.3%) casualties. The associated neurovascular bundle injuries were present in 11 (26.8%) patients. Fracture stabilization was done by external fixation in 25 (62.5%): group A; and by plaster of Paris in 15 (37.5%) patients: group B. The postoperative period was uneventful in 14 (35.0%) and early or late complications occurred in 26 (65.0%) patients. Bone infection developed in six (15.0%) and fractures did not heal in four (10.0%) patients. Complications were present in 13 (52.0%) patients from group A and in 13 (86.7%) patients from group B. Delayed fracture healing and fracture nonunion were present in group A and contractures of large joints in group B. Subtrochanteric missile fractures of the femur present very severe injuries where the treatment is followed by a very high percentage of complications. External fracture fixation in this region facilitates the care, stability, early covering of soft tissue defects and early physical therapy.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nikolić
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jovanović
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Turković
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vulović
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mladenović
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D016267:External Fixators; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014857:Warfare; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery*; D015022:Yugoslavia