title: External fixation of intertrochanteric fractures in elderly high-risk patients.
abstract: Intertrochanteric fractures of the femur were treated with an external fixator in 38 elderly high-risk patients between November 2005 and February 2007. The mean operation time was 25 min (range: 20 to 32 min), the mean fluoroscopy time was 15 sec (range: 10 to 18 sec), and the mean hospital stay was four days (range: 3 to 7 days). The average time to union was 9.5 weeks. No deep pin track infections occurred; superficial skin inflammation was seen in 30%. Implant failure or knee stiffness were noted in no instance. At the latest follow-up, the mean femoral shaft-neck angle was 130 degrees (range: 116 degrees to 138 degrees), the average Harris hip score was 64 (range: 50-80). Mortality rate was 8% at 6 months from causes unrelated to the operation. The use of a multiplanar external fixator in these patients provided a satisfactory stability, reduced their time in hospital and facilitated their postoperative rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Department, Mansoura University, Egypt. aymanhusen2002@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ayman M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdelkhalek
authors.forename: Abdelrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Ganiney
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001863:Bone Screws; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography