Outcomes of Cephalomedullary Nailing in Basicervical Fracture

A basicervical femoral fracture is defined as a fracture of base of neck of femur that occurs medially from intertrochanteric line above lesser trochanter. In this study, we intended to evaluate radiological and clinical results of basicervical femoral fractures treated by intramedullary nailing.

Fifteen patients, who underwent intramedullary nailing among 50 patients, out of 50 who were diagnosed with basicervical femoral fractures from July 2012 to May 2015 were studied. All of 15 patients' fracture were two-part basicervical fractures. Using radiography, we characterized the: i) state of reduction, ii) location of the lag screw, iii) tip apex distance (TAD), and iv) sliding distance of lag screw and bone union. Additionally, we performed clinical assessment before injury and at final follow-up.

In radiological assessment, we achieved acceptable reduction state in all patients. All lag screws were fixated on appropriate locations. Mean TAD was 17.3 mm (11.0-21.1 mm), which showed insertion point of <25 mm in all cases. The mean sliding distance of the lag screw was 5.1 mm (0.1-16.0 mm) at the final follow-up. The mean bone union period was 4.8 months (3-10 months) with achieving in all cases. In clinical assessment, Harris hip score, visual analogue scale score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index score, all of them significantly improved postoperatively compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05).

In elderly patients with basicervical femoral fractures, treatment with intramedullary nailing showed satisfactory results, considered to be a useful method if performed with skilled technique.