[Selected aspects of treatment of trochanteric fractures by the Ender method]

Basing on the 963 patients treated for trochanteric fractures with Ender nailing in the years 1974-1995, some remarks concerning operational technic and complications have been presented. Among the injured there were 641 females--average 75 y and 322 men--average 71 y. Two fractures of metaphysis occurred during the operation procedure treated successfully with plastic splint. Infection rate--superficial--1.3% and deep one 0.7% was noted. The most common complication proved to be distal migration of nails estimated 5-10%. If they penetrate the skin the nails should be changed to shorter ones. The patients tolerate that procedure quite well. In two cases the nails have been broken, before fracture united. The distal portion of them have been removed and replaced with those of full length, with success. In conclusion the authors regard the method as satisfactory for treatment the stable or relatively stable trochanteric fractures.