[Technical errors and early complications of osteosynthesis of pertrochanteric femoral fractures using the dynamic hip screw].

Within a period of 3 years, 198 patients with pertrochanteric fractures were operatively treated with implantation of the dynamic hip screw: 141 were female and 57 male (ratio of 2.5:1). The youngest patient was 27 and the oldest 100 years of age (average 74.4 years). Most preoperative failures in management were caused by insufficient reduction when no valgus of the femoral head and neck was achieved. Some patients had ulcers in the genital region because of forced reduction on the traction table, and in one of these cases plastic surgery was necessary. Intraoperative failures may occur because of too early removal of the guide pin, which should remain in the center of the femoral head until the screw is placed in the right position. Postoperative complications are caused by full weight bearing, which leads to varus and recurvation malposition. In 2 cases, deep wound infection occurred. The plate broke out in 3 cases, 2 of those required reoperation. Six patients between 61 to 84 years of age died in the early postoperative period during their stay in hospital.