The percutaneous compression plate versus the dynamic hip screw: a meta-analysis.

Intertrochanteric fractures are a significant orthopaedic burden. The aim of this study was to assess how the Percutaneous Compression Plate (PCCP) technique performs compared to the traditional dynamic hip screw (DHS). A meta-analysis of all head to head trials (1995-2006) comparing the two techniques was performed. Early mortality (< or = 1 year) was the major outcome of interest. Secondary outcomes of interest included operation time (minutes), blood transfusion requirements, post-operative infection and length of stay in hospital (days). There was a decreased trend in overall mortality in the PCCP group [CI 0.84, (0.48 to 1.47), Chi-square = 1.36, p = 0.51]. Similar trends favouring the PCCP technique were seen with the other outcomes. PCCP being a relatively new technique has the potential to become the gold standard in the repair of intertrochanteric hip fractures. However, owing to the limitations of this meta-analysis, a large randomised controlled trial is required.