[Trochanteric fractures in elderly patients: management and prognosis of 68 cases]

The authors studied restrospecively their cases of trochanteric fractures to evoluate the frequency, the mortality, the morbidity and the results according to the diferent types of osteosynthesis used. 68 cases were collected in a 45 months. Mean age was 75 with 33 men and 35 women. 28 patients were sick before the accident. Using the A.O. classification, the patients were divided in three groups: 19 type A1, 37 type A2 and 12 type A3. 28 patients were operated an emergency basis. An A.O. nail plaque was used in the 43 cases and a staca screw plaque was used in the 11 remaining cases. Early in hospital mobilisation and weigh bearing with assistant was used and continued after discharge. After 17 months of follow up and according to Merle d'AUBIGNE'S, criteria, 91. 42% of the patients showed satisfactory results--16 patients died 8 of them had another desease. Anatomically, bone consolidation was gained after a mean period of 97 days and 40 % of Coxa-vara was reorganised. The frequency of trochanteric fracture inthe elderly is 69,3% in our experience. The patients operated on in emergency for whom a stacca nail plate had a better results with an earlier walking autonomy. In mean follow up there was no different in the two groups.