Local Postoperative Complications after Surgery for Intertrochanteric Fractures Using Cephalomedullary Nails

Cephalomedullary nails (CMN) are commonly used for the surgical treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. This study aimed to evaluate overall postoperative local complications by reviewing patients who received surgical treatment using three different types of implants.

The study sample included 353 patients (107 males, 246 females) who underwent surgery using CMN for intertrochanteric fractures. Three different types of implants were used: i) the Gamma3® (Stryker) in 80 cases, ii) the Targon® PF (Aesculap) in 225 cases, and iii) the Compression Hip Nail® (Trademedics) in 48 cases. The mean age was 82.6 (range, 60-109) years and the average follow-up period was 15 (range, 6-80) months. Postoperative local complications and risk factors of cut-out were assessed.

The most common complication was cut-out (n=26). Other complications included non-union (n=3), periprosthetic fracture (n=2), avascular necrosis (n=1), heterotopic ossification (n=1), and sleeve pull out (n=1). Multivariate analysis revealed that the cut-out group had a higher rate of poor reduction compared to the non-complicated group (P<0.001). Although the mean tip-apex distance (TAD) was 18.4 mm in the non-complicated group, lower than that of the cut-out group (P=0.001), multivariate analysis revealed that TAD was not a significant risk factor for cut-out (P=0.065).

Cut-out is the most common local complication associated with surgical treatment of intertrochanteric fractures using CMN. Proper reduction appears to be important in lowering the risk of cut-out. Maintaining low TAD is another critical factor in achieving sufficient fixation of lag screw to the subchondral bone of the femoral head.