title: Biological fixation of comminuted subtrochanteric fractures with proximal femur locking compression plate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Subtrochanteric fractures are difficult fractures associated with high incidence of complications and various implants, both intramedullary and extramedullary, are available for their fixation. Traditional extramedullary implants are associated with higher rate of implant failure and varus collapse while the biomechanically better intramedullary nails are technically demanding and are associated with higher re-operation rates. This study was done to evaluate the outcome following biological (indirect) fixation of unstable comminuted subtrochanteric fractures with proximal femur-locking compression plate (PF-LCP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five consecutive patients with comminuted subtrochanteric fractures were operated upon with PF-LCP by using an indirect reduction technique. Seinsheimer types 3-5 fractures were included in the study. Operating time, blood loss and any technical difficulty with the implant were recorded. Patients were followed clinically and radiologically for union at fracture site and implant-related complications. The Harris Hip Score was used to document hip function at final follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two patients with average age of 44.7 years were available for final evaluation. The mean operating time was 79.5min and total blood loss averaged 233.13ml. Union was achieved in all cases with an average time of 15.62 weeks. Complications included two cases of delayed union and two cases of infection. Two cases had a shortening of 1cm and one case had malunion with external rotation. No instances of implant failure or nonunion were recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biological fixation of comminuted subtrochanteric fractures with PF-LCP provides stable fixation with high union rate and fewer complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India. drpramodsaini@gmail.com
authors.forename: Pramod
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saini
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Vishal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shekhawat
authors.forename: Narendra
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: Mahesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.forename: Senthil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome