Proximal Femoral Lateral Locking Plate versus Short Cephalomedullary Nails for Treating AO/OTA 31 A3 Intertrochanteric Femoral Fractures: a Retrospective Clinical Study.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY In this study we aimed to investigate the clinical and radiographic results of AO/OTA 31 A3 fractures operated on with either a proximal femoral lateral locking plate or short cephalomedullary nails. MATERIAL AND METHODS/RESULTS Medical data of patients treated with either implant were evaluated retrospectively. Patients > 55 years old sustaining an AO 31 A3 type fracture with a minimum follow-up of one year from two institutions were included in the study. RESULTS In all, 22 patients in the plate group and 30 patients in the nail group were included. All patients achieved union excluding the patients with failure. No significant differences in the mean duration of surgery, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin levels, duration of union time, or need for an open reduction or revision surgery were observed between the two groups. Reduction quality was better in the nail group. Failure of fixation was detected in three patients in the plate group and in four patients in the nail group. The duration of hospital stay was longer in the plate group than the nail group (p = 0.007). Time to independent mobilization was significantly shorter in the nail group than the plate group (p = 0.027). The Harris hip score results were similar between the groups after one year (p = 0.479). CONCLUSIONS Both implants had similar radiographic and clinical outcomes treat 31 A3 intertrochanteric fractures if the lateral wall of the proximal fragment was intact and anatomical medial-posteromedial restoration of the fracture is performed. Although complication rates were similar between the two groups, nails enabled early mobilization of patients. Key words: intertrochanteric, 31 A3 fracture, fixation, PFLP, nail.