Surasak Jitprapaikulsarn1, Arthit Gromprasit2, Kritsada Sukha2, Chawanan Patamamongkonchai2, Apipop Kritsaneephaiboon3. 1. Department of Orthopedics, Buddhachinaraj Hospital, 90 Srithamtraipidok Road, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand. surasak_hand@yahoo.co.th. 2. Department of Orthopedics, Buddhachinaraj Hospital, 90 Srithamtraipidok Road, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand. 3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Physical Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, Thailand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Establishing fracture consolidation and avoiding postoperative complications of comminuted subtrochanteric fractures of the femur are technically challenging. The authors delineated a technical description of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) by using a reverse distal femur locking compression plate (LCP-DF) and retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of these particular fractures. METHODS: Fifty patients with 51 type C subtrochanteric fractures of the femur were operated on by MIPO and reverse LCP-DF fixation. The collected data included postoperative complications, union times, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: All fractures were united with a mean union time of 19.4 weeks (range 16-22). Regarding postoperative complications, asymptomatic valgus angulation occurred in five patients and trochanteric pain in six. According to Harris hip score, nine patients were determined to be excellent, 36 to be good and five to be fair. CONCLUSION: MIPO by reverse LCP-DF is reliable and effective for type C subtrochanteric fractures of the femur particularly in situations where intramedullary nailing is not feasible.
BACKGROUND: Establishing fracture consolidation and avoiding postoperative complications of comminuted subtrochanteric fractures of the femur are technically challenging. The authors delineated a technical description of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) by using a reverse distal femur locking compression plate (LCP-DF) and retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of these particular fractures. METHODS: Fifty patients with 51 type C subtrochanteric fractures of the femur were operated on by MIPO and reverse LCP-DF fixation. The collected data included postoperative complications, union times, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: All fractures were united with a mean union time of 19.4 weeks (range 16-22). Regarding postoperative complications, asymptomatic valgus angulation occurred in five patients and trochanteric pain in six. According to Harris hip score, nine patients were determined to be excellent, 36 to be good and five to be fair. CONCLUSION: MIPO by reverse LCP-DF is reliable and effective for type C subtrochanteric fractures of the femur particularly in situations where intramedullary nailing is not feasible.