Risks for reoperation to promote union in periprosthetic distal femur fractures

To determine the risk factors for reoperation to promote union for periprosthetic distal femur fractures (PDFF).

This was a retrospective, multi-centered comparative study of patients with PDFF (AO 33A-C[VB1, C1, D1]) managed operatively with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with a lateral locked plate (LLP). Exclusion criteria were acute management with a distal femur replacement, fixation other than LLP, less than 6 months of follow-up, and lack of injury or follow-up radiographs. The primary outcome measure was reoperation to achieve bony union. Univariate and multivariate analyses were made between cases that did and did not require a reoperation to achieve union.

A total of 52 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 7 (13.5%) required a reoperation for union. There were no differences between the groups for age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, Su classification, or open injury. Multivariate analysis identified risks for reoperation to promote union including notching preoperatively (OR 1.26, CI 1.04-1.53, p = 0.007), increased number of screws through a fracture line (OR 1.27, CI 1.15-1.41, p < 0.001), plate length < 12 holes (OR 1.15, CI 1.00-1.33, p = 0.020), and lower number of proximal screws that were locking (OR 0.95, CI 0.9-1.0, p = 0.043). Conclusions The reoperation rate to promote union was 13.5%. While limited by total case number, this study identified notching preoperatively, presence of screws through the fracture line, plate length < 12 holes, and lower number of proximal screws that were locking to be independent risk factors for reoperation to promote union.