Abstract:

Objective To investigate and assess the effectiveness and methods of using expandable intramedullary nail system(EINS) in the clinical treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures. Methods From June, 2006 to December, 2009, a total of 47 cases with femoral intertrochanteric fracture were treated with EINSFixation PF. In total, 47 nails were used in 20 male patients and 27 female patients at the ages of 68 to 91 years; including 18 cases with stable fracture(A1.1~1.3), 29 cases with unstable fracture(A2.1~A3.3). Results In all 47 cases, the wounds healed within the first stage; time of surgery ranged from 45 to 110 minutes, averaging 68 minutes per surgery. Blood loss ranged from 70 to 300 mL, on average 136 mL. All 47 patients were followed up post surgery. Followup period was from 8 to 26 weeks, averaging 14 weeks. The average healing time was 10 weeks. Conclusion EINS has a unique design that is advantageous in the clinical treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures in older people. Its surgical procedures are relatively simple, less invasive, and the time needed for the surgery was shortened. In addition, EINS significantly decreases the amount of X-ray exposure, thus, decreasing the potentially harmful effects of X-ray on both doctors and patients. The expandable stud extrudes cancellous bone and does not pose the problem of bone cutting used in internal bone fixation methods, and leads to a faster fracture healing. EINS is deserved to be widely used in clinical treatment.

Key words: expandable intramedullary nail, peritrochanteric fracture, internal fixation