Purpose
Recent published studies have compared the use of external fixation in elderly patients with trochanteric fractures with the more conventional methods of fixation such as a sliding hip screw. This is the first prospective study to report the outcomes of external fixation in a larger patient population that includes young and healthy adults.
Materials and methods
A total of patients with intertrochanteric fractures were treated using a newly developed uniplanar external fixator (AlexFix). All patients received local anaesthesia in the form of femoral and lateral cutaneous nerve blocks. There were 60 men and 140 women, mean age 71.09 (24–91) years. Patients were followed up for a period of 24 ± 2.1 months.
Results
The average operative time (and SD) was 26.22 ± 5.9 min. The average use of radiation intraoperatively was 16.67 ± 3.5 s. Hospital stay was short, with an average of 4.3 ± 1 days. No intraoperative complications were encountered. Blood loss was negligible and none of the patients received any blood transfusion. The mean time for union was 10.5 ± 1.1 weeks. The most common postoperative complications encountered were superficial pin-tract infection in 16 patients (8%) and deep pin-tract infection in seven patients (3.5%). Varus malunion occurred in five patients (2.5%). No implant failure or refracture was recorded.
Conclusion
External fixation of trochanteric fractures is an effective, safe and reliable treatment method. It offers minimal operative and anaesthetic risks, no blood loss, early mobilization and a short hospital stay, with low morbidity and mortality.