Intramedullary nail in the treatment of pertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients

Introduction. Intramedullary nail is an important component of modern treatment of pertrochanteric femur fractures. Objective. In elderly population, pertrochanteric fractures treated with unreamed intramedullary nails cause less deep infections when compared to reamed intramedullary nails. Patients and Methods. From April, 2010 to May, 2012 at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Gaetano Rummo Hospital (Benevento, Italy), 156 patients with pertrochanteric fracture, average age 82.7 years (75-102 years), were treated. In the analyzed case, there were 90 females and 66 males with pertrochanteric fractures. The respondents were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 78 respondents who were treated with reamed intramedullary nails and the second group of 78 respondents treated with unreamed intramedullary nails. Discussion. Infections are not the most common postoperative complications. The risk of infection is increased in patients with comorbidity and in cases when there is an empty space between the intramedullary nail fixation and bone. Proximal femoral fractures carry a high mortality, but its causes are unclear. Conclusion. Our research has shown that the application of unreamed intramedullary nails in the treatment of pertrochanteric femoral fractures reduces a mortality risk and risk of infection.