Anatomy of the greater femoral trochanter: clinical importance for intramedullary femoral nailing. Anatomic study of 100 cadaver specimens.
BACKGROUND
Fossa piriformis is considered the correct point of entry for a straight femoral nail. A trochanteric overhang may make the access to fossa piriformis difficult. We investigated the anatomy of the trochanteric region, paying special attention to the entry point for antegrade intramedullary femoral nailing.


RESULTS
We studied 100 cadaver specimens. In 63 specimens a shape with a free entry point was found, whereas in 37 cases the entry point was either half or fully covered. In 9 specimens the entry points could not be exactly located from a cranial aspect.


CONCLUSIONS
The anatomic variations of the trochanteric sometimes make it difficult to identify the correct entry point for an intramedullary nail.
Grechenig
Wolfgang
W
Department of Traumatology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 7a, Graz, Austria.
Pichler
Wolfgang
W
Clement
Hans
H
Tesch
Norbert Peter
NP
Grechenig
Stephan
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001858:Bone Nails; D002102:Cadaver; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography