Results of osteosynthesis with the ITST nail in fractures of the trochanteric region of the femur.

A prospective study is presented of 551 hip fractures treated with the ITST (inter-trochanteric/sub-trochanteric) nail with a minimum mandatory follow-up of 1 year. Of the patients 73% were female, the rest male. The average age was 82.8 years. Fractures were classified according to the AO system, the most common sub-type recorded being the A2 (56%). Clinical and radiographic controls were performed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The system allowed early mobilisation and walking in the majority of our patients, along with fracture consolidation in an acceptable time (12 weeks on average). There were technical complications during the operation in 10.5% of the cases, complications in the immediate postoperative period in 22.3% and late complications were detected in 5.1% of patients at 12 months. The ability to recover previous walking ability was 58%. The ITST nail emerges as a good system of osteosynthesis for fractures of the trochanteric region of the femur, allowing early weight-bearing, which favours bone consolidation. The surgical technique is not complex, the number of complications recorded is acceptable and the overall results obtained are comparable and even superior to those obtained with other osteosynthesis systems available for treatment of this type of fracture.