Treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures with percutaneous non-contact bridging plates.

We reviewed medical records of patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures (AO/OTA type 31-A2, A3) treated with percutaneous non-contact bridging (NCB) plates and with gamma nails and compared operative data and outcomes. Fifty-two patients received NCB plates (27 males and 25 females; median age, 77.0 years) and 36 received gamma nails (15 males and 21 females; median age, 77.0 years). Fluoroscopy time in the NCB plate group was 34.0 s (IQR: 30.0, 37.5), and in the gamma nail group was 45.0 s (IQR: 39.0, 51.5, p < 0.001). Hospital stay in the NCB plate group was significantly shorter than the gamma nail group (15.0 days [IQR: 13.0, 16.5] vs. 17.0 days [IQR: 14.0, 19.0], respectively; p = 0.004). Harris hip scores were similar between the groups at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. The percutaneous NCB plate provides satisfactory results for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures.