Risk Factors Associated with Fixation Failure in Intertrochanteric Fracture Treated with Cephalomedullary Nail

Cephalomedullary (CM) nailing is widely performed in treatment of elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures. However, in cases of fixation failure, re-operation is usually necessary, thus determining factors that may contribute to fixation failure is important. In this study, we examined factors affecting the occurrence of fixation failure, such as age or fracture stability, after CM nailing in elderly patients.

This study was conducted retrospectively using registered data. From April 2011 to December 2018, CM nailing was performed in 378 cases diagnosed with femoral intertrochanteric fractures, and 201 cases were finally registered. Cases involving patients who were bed-ridden before injury, who died from causes unrelated to surgery, and those with a follow-up period less than six months were excluded.

Fixation failure occurred in eight cases. Comparison of the surgical success and fixation failure group showed that the mean age was significantly higher in the fixation failure group compared with the control group (81.3±6.4 vs. 86.4±6.8; P=0.034). A significantly high proportion of unstable fractures was also observed (139/54 vs. 3/5; P=0.040), with a significantly high ratio of intramedullary reduction (176/17 vs. 5/3; P=0.034). A significantly higher ratio of unstable fractures compared with that of stable fractures was observed in the intramedullary reduction group (132/49 vs. 10/10; P=0.033).

Fixation failure of CM nailing is likely to occur in patients who are elderly or have unstable fracture patterns. Thus, care should be taken in order to avoid intramedullary reduction.