Use of reconstruction nails to manage ipsilateral displaced femoral neck-shaft fractures: assessment of a new approach.

PURPOSE: Owing to unpredictable femoral neck reduction, reconstruction nails are not suitable for fixation of group 3 ipsilateral femoral neck-shaft fractures. We developed a new one-step fixation technique to overcome this problem. This study aims to assess this new technique at the Orthopaedic Department, Chi-Mei Foundation Medical Center, Tainan.
METHODS: Of 31 consecutive patients with femoral fractures treated by reconstruction nails, five patients had group 3 ipsilateral femoral neck-shaft fractures, 4 of whom were treated by a new surgical technique. Two 5.0-mm drills were firstly inserted to tether the trochanter fragment, and distal locking screws were secondly applied to immobilise the shaft fracture. The neck-shaft angle was then restored in a closed fashion and proximal cephalomedullary screws were attached. Patients were followed up by post-operative radiography.
RESULTS: All 5 cases of group 3 ipsilateral femoral neck-shaft fracture obtained radiographic union without significant surgical sequelae. Three of the patients had implants removed. No patients presented with osteonecrosis at the 3-year follow-up.
CONCLUSION: The new approach to manage ipsilateral femoral neck-shaft fractures by using reconstruction nails obtains relatively good clinical results.